Weekend Preview 9/15/2012

Alright, it's finally almost gameday. I'm not too big on predicting scores, so there won't be any of that from me. In these previews I'll give you my thoughts on who will win and factors that may have an impact on the game. My previews will be limited to Alabama and whoever strikes my fancy. Sometimes it may be just Alabama, sometimes I might preview a Big10 game, as well. Now that you know what to expect, let's get to business.



Alabama @ Arkansas   2:30pm CDT Saturday  on CBS

Where to start? I've got to be honest and tell you that I think it is a real punk move on Coach Smith's part, withholding whether Tyler Wilson will play or not. Is it even a mystery anymore? He had a concussion that knocked him out of a game. There was bleeding in his brain. Why drag this out? He hasn't practiced all week. Is there anybody out there that honestly thinks this kid will suit up tomorrow? I knew when he didn't practice Tuesday he wouldn't be playing. There is no way they can allow him to play without evaluating him at full speed in practice. After the hit he took, it would take a couple of days to even get to full speed in practice. Not to mention that it would be foolishly risky to put him in against our defense.

Having said all that, I am certain Coach knows all this much better than I do. The team has supposedly been prepping for all three of Arkansas' QBs, but I wonder if that isn't just part of the shell-game coaches play.

I have to wonder about Knile Davis, too. I haven't seen him play this year, but his numbers don't speak of the back he was before he missed last season. Maybe it's lingering rust, maybe he's being tentative. Maybe he looks better than the numbers indicate. With the Hogs' QB troubles, Davis will have to carry the offense. That puts a big target on his back from the outset.

I saw in an article last night that Coach has been aware of DJ Fluker's "tells" for a while and it is something they continuously work on. Hopefully he will be more secretive tomorrow.

After all the talk from various guys on the O-line this week, they seem anxious to redeem themselves tomorrow. If they shake off the complacency they had for the WKU game and play with all the intensity and talent they bring, we should score in bunches. I feel pretty comfortable with this game, on the whole. It was supposed to be an early season test, but Arkansas may just be hoping to simply survive without further injuries and cruise into next week's game against Rutgers. If they can get Wilson healthy for that game, it would be like a rehab game before the Hogs have to go on the road to Texas A&M on the 29th, then on the road at Auburn on October 6th.

Louisiana-Monroe @ Auburn 11:20 CDT Saturday on SEC Network and ESPN3

I'll be brief. Most of what I've read on this game is that Auburn is just desperate enough to pull this one out and avoid an 0-3 start. Desperate times may breed desperate measures, but that is no substitute for well-developed talent. Am I the only one amazed by all the talent Chizik has attracted to the Plains, yet his record the last two years is 8-7, including last year's Chick-fil-a Bowl? What is he doing with all these top-shelf recruits?

Anyway, ULM will be swaggering into Jordan-Hare looking to broaden its swath through the SEC, while Auburn will be circling the wagons. The Warhawks will come in with momentum and face a Tigers team on its heels, desperately seeking a way to win. That's not a  recipe for an Auburn victory, if you ask me.

There it is, then. Let's tee it up and get this party started.