First, give it up to Mr. Tommy Fleetwood for finally reaching the rich soil of the PGA Tour winners’ circle on Sunday, accomplishing such in grand fashion at that. The amicable, if not charming, Scotsman captured the season-ending Tour Championship, held annually at gentrifidic (gentrified+iconic) East Lake CC in Atlanta, along with the Fed Ex Cup that perpetually runneth over.
He had been knock-knock-knocking on that dang door for a hot minute by anyone’s standards. Snatching up this trophy, at this moment, lends even more drama to next month’s Ryder Cup, an event that never needs a leg up in the flair department, mind you. Guaranteed fantastic family-friendly theater.
On to the Hogs.
Heard/read some choice nuggets during fall camp that fortified my conviction in the 9-3 season predicted here a few weeks ago. You may call me a dreamer, but I am not the only one.
Mr. Football recently compared RB1 Mike Washington, Jr., to Knile Davis, Jr., and that is mighty high praise. Big #7 had elite speed once he turned the corner and always brought that wood. One of my top 5 fave Razorback backs. He would sprint every possession in practice through the end zone, regardless of the spot. Easy to see how and why he trucked all those fools back during MF1.0. I don’t recall any others balling out this hard in practice. Maybe Joe Adams/Jarius Wright? Stout company, if factual.
Then there’s the bullpen behind RB1. Staffed by a solid group of Hogs, all proven with league experience – Big Braylen (who is in best shape of his life, so says MF), and Rodney Hill and AJ Green – two speedsters. There should be nothing but the soothing sounds of love and happiness coming outta that room. It always helps to staff a backfield by committee when you forge the waters of the mighty, mighty SEC. Seasons are too long and brutal to go about it with any less than three. Four is a bonus.
[Coach] Sam Pittman also offered – “We spent a lot of money on the offensive line.” Well-paid big fellas. The backfield should thrive, running behind it.
“We have Taylen Green and other teams do not,” he added later.
A healthy TGreen. Bought TWILL some taller linebackers.
Defense is always down to hunt ‘til the final whistle blows, no matter the down or distance. Straight dawgs.
Team seems deep enough to keep healthy players on the field at the most punishing positions and handle adversity.
Sam (who looks fleeter than ever, himself) knows how to share the $ugar with his assistants – bigtime. His smarts and humility rule the day. Not everyone coulda pulled off this staff. He is the correct coach for this chronically under-valued college. One with a similar-sized chip on his shoulder.
I see cardinal red coming up over the horizon. Clear as a bell. Toss in a little luck and voila!
Then there was the Razorback beat writer who opined – “What if it doesn’t work, despite all these assumed advantages?” Then it hit me – reverse psychology. Holy smokes, it is on. I know this approach oh-so well. You see, usually it’s the press pumping rainbows and sunshine but not this year. Coaches are, though.
My expectations and blood sugar levels are gonna be largely inflated by the Ole Miss game, rivaling basketball and baseball levels. Welcome back, old friend. Welcome back again.
Now if we can just shake that old, rugged curse.
GoHogs!!