Can You Feel It?

Excitement is in the air here in Northwest Arkansas. Football season is about to begin for real as the time for scrimmages is finallly over. High school and college football will permeate the televisions and radios all weekend. Men will rejoice as America's newest favorite pastime returns and women will mourn the loss of their husbands & sons for the next 5 months.

On tap tonight is the new rivalry between Shiloh Christian and Prestonwood Baptist in Dallas, TX. Shiloh is the school associated with our church and they've fielded an extremely competitive / athletic team the past couple years. Expectations are high for the Saints (Shiloh) to make it to the state playoffs (again). They've traveled down to Texas for a game tonight with one of the churches we do things with every once in a while. I'm not sure how good Prestonwood is supposed to be but it should be the start of a good-spirited rivalry between the 2 churches & schools.

The BIG game this weekend is Arkansas taking on #6 USC at home on Saturday night. The game is getting national recognition and will be broadcast on ESPN (in hi-def...can't wait to break in the new TV!!). The anticipation for the Hogs this year is the highest I've ever seen it. We've got a couple new breakout coaches in Gus Malzahn (our new offensive coordinator who last year led Springdale High School to an undefeated state championship...as well as he was the former Shiloh Christian head coach) and QB coach Alex Wood, who's got some big time NFL experience.

Add to that our stud stable of running backs, including Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, both of whom could really have breakout years and put their game (and Arkansas') on the map. Plus, the successful recruitment of some top high school althletes from last year, including the AP's Player of the Year Mitch Mustain, QB from Springdale High along with his teammates WR Damian Williams and TE Ben Cleveland, just to name a few.

USC hung 70 on us last year in Los Angeles so to say there's some pride and payback issues is an understatement. However, I am extremely confident the Hogs are much more prepared this year, both offensively and defensively, as we all hold our collective breaths to see how things wind up by 10:30pm Saturday night.

I'd say only the win over Texas a few years ago would rival the celebration that'll take place if we happen to stun the Trojans.

Surprisingly, even some of the bigtime ESPN and other college analysts aren't predicting a huge blowout. Some, pray tell, even suggest the Hogs could come out and upset USC.

Wouldn't that be an incredible way to start the season?

Oh yeah....football, cooler temps and a high level of anticipation.

It's gonna be a good day.


GO HOGS GO!!!