LIKE IT IS: OK, here’s what’s going to happen in 2010

By WALLY HALL

Posted: January 1, 2010 at 3:18 a.m.

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LITTLE ROCK — On the first day of a new year, here’s my top 20 predictions for 2010.

NO. 1.

The Arkansas Razorbacks football team will start the new year with a victory to end the 2009 season. The Hogs will win nine games next fall and play Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

No. 2.

If the numbers come back right, Ryan Mallett will be making millions to play football this time next season. If they don’t come back to his total liking, add another victory for the Hogs.

No. 3.

Starting next winter, every time a job comes open expect to hear Bobby Petrino’s name linked to it whether he is interested or not. He took over a Razorbacks program almost bankrupt of talentand has it headed in the right direction.

NO. 4. Unlike last year, the Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team won’t beat Texas, and maybe that means a better SEC record. Regardless, look for John Pelphrey to be back next season as the head basketball coach, but perhaps with a tweak or two on his staff. Let it be noted that Athletic Director Jeff Long has notbeen around long enough for anyone to really predict how he will react. Former athletic director Frank Broyles put emphasis on winning first and butts in the seats second, and yes, they go hand-in-hand.

NO. 5.

Dave Van Horn and the Arkansas baseball team will again make the College World Series, although they might start a little slow.

NO. 6.

Arkansas AD Long will add to the athletic staff.

No. 7.

Boosters will continue to refrain from donating money to build a basketball practice facility. Might be time to put more emphasis on getting the football locker rooms fixed.

NO. 8.

Mike Leach will sue Texas Tech. He will lose. He will get another job but will never be able to recruit the same types of athletes he did for the Red Raiders. Mommas and daddies are funny about having their kids locked in a tool shed.

NO. 9.

Tiger Woods will play on the PGA Tour by August. Sometimes it takes lots of rest to get over personal injuries even if you deny they exist. Nike doesn’t care if their star golfer loses all other endorsements, Phil Knight would love to have him exclusively.

NO. 10.

At least one of the women who had an affair with Woods will be involved in a project to write a book or movie script. One can only wonder how they got off so easy; they knew he was married.

NO. 11.

John Daly will win three times on the European tour. They might not be majors but it will help him land sponsors’ exemptions for big PGA Tour events.

NO. 12. The Indianapolis Colts will win the Super Bowl but the talk will always be there that Coach Jim Caldwell destroyed the last of semblance of sportsmanship and gamesmanship in the NFL.

NO. 13. Ellis “Scooter” Register will make an immediate impact at Little Rock Central.

NO. 14. The Kansas Jayhawks will defeat the Kentucky Wildcats for the NCAA basketball championship and the Wildcats will not have to vacate their Final Four appearance, at least not this year.

NO. 15.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. will score a unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao.

NO. 16.

Jermain Taylor will fight this year, but not in March like Showtime wants. Look for it to be closer to the end of the year.

NO. 17.

Texas will beat Alabama for the BCS championship next week.

NO. 18. Urban Meyer will return next fall and lead the Florida Gators to the SEC Championship Game against Alabama.

NO. 19. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers will play for the NBA championship.

No. 20. At least one major league baseball player will test positive for steroids.

Sports, Pages 19 on 01/01/2010

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