Selected comments this week from the message boards on wholehogsports.com.
On Nick Starkel being named Arkansas' starting quarterback for Saturday's game against Colorado State ...
sweetchildofswine: I think we'll learn more about this team and the coaching staff this weekend... Starkel showed that he can spread the ball around. That has the potential to change everything, from the attitude and confidence of the entire offense to the defense getting more rest. It should also provide some insight as to how these coaches can call a game instead of leaving us with the "is-it-the-talent-or-is-it-the-coaching" chicken and egg riddle.
youdaman: Hopefully we come out guns blazing. This will be a very big test for our defense. (Colorado State's quarterback) will be the first pocket passer we've seen. Hopefully we can step in front of two or three.
poochpunt: I am more optimistic that with the right QB playing that this season may turn out better than expected. The running game concerns me with Boyd seemingly the only reliable option. As painful as the Ole Miss game was, they were only a play or two from making it real close.
hawgfan1: I am glad to hear what a lot of us had hoped would be the case after the second half last week. I think Starkel brings a whole different look with his arm strength. Getting more reps with the (first team) will be huge.
Hogmodo: The failed trick play pretty much explains why Ben Hicks was the starter .... Starkel got confused and threw the pass to the wrong side of the formation. Could that be an example of not knowing the offense well enough just yet? It was a good play call ... very likely a TD which, instead lost 14 yards.
bakedhog19741: That's absolutely why Hicks was starting and you're correct, it was a guaranteed touchdown. But I don't think the team was really moving forward with Hicks at QB. When Starkel came in the team seemed to pick it up.
hogin58: But should you choose the starting QB based on the fact the he'll lateral to the correct guy that will then make the TD pass? IF your QB is talented enough to make the throws necessary, you don't have to lean on the trick plays.
MattJones: This is the quandary for Arkansas: Do you play the QB who is going to keep you out of some bad situations but doesn't move the ball well, or the one that is going to make some mistakes but has a lot more raw ability? The ineligible receiver downfield penalty was partly on Starkel too. He has to see that the formation isn't right and get the receiver set correctly before the snap. After the Portland State game Morris praised Hicks' ability to make the pre-snap adjustments.
ClayHenry: There had been no pre-snap penalties with Hicks on the field. So that was something he did right. With Starkel, there were several, but it is clear that they are going to need Starkel's arm and quick throw potential. He did get the ball out of his hands. Seems clear that they need to go with Starkel.
porkbuttgary: It's on Starkel to learn the offense quickly! He's been given the opportunity that he came here for. It's up to him to run with it.
Fans assess the Razorbacks offensive line ...
xxgo33: Arkansas is not going to be successful until we have an offensive line that can give the QB time to read and throw without running for his life. Most of the time the QB was having to scramble and hardly ever had time to look for a secondary receiver.
jrjdent: There's some potential for the future. Undersized by quite a bit, (freshman lineman) Ricky Stromberg played a pretty dang good game. When I rewatched, i was impressed with him, and it's easy to see why he's jumped some older guys. I think next year this OL could start to take form.
ClayHenry: I heard from an Oklahoma high school coach that Stromberg would play in a hurry. This guy is always right. He was again.
Score predictions for Saturday's game ...
neastarkie: I think we'll win this game. I don't think CSU is as good as Ole Miss. I also think Starkel will give us a better chance than Hicks. Finally I think we'll have an advantage playing at home. But I'll say 31-21 just because it's as good a guess as anything else.
bakedhog19741: My guess, AR 21, CSU 7.
razorwill: I think Colorado State will score on us (and) question, even with Starkel at QB, what we can score. Offense has been a disaster last year and this year so far under Morris and Craddock. I have lost faith in our offense. We have struggled against an FBS opponent, got manhandled by a lousy Ole Miss team. Maybe this will change our luck: Colorado State 31, Arkansas 30.
dbhog: Hogs 34, Rams 28.
gashog: 44-17 Pigs.
heknowsmyname: I have watched video on Colorado State. They are not a bad team and I think their QB gave us fits last year. If Starkel has a good day, this is my pick, Ark. 24, CS. 17.
bobghog: I think we will win. Score is immaterial if we play well.
hogbacker: Hogs win 21-17. Don't expect offense to become a juggernaut in a week.
Pisapig2: I was watching the last weekend of 2018 and saw a 10-1 Utah State got to 11-1 by holding off Col. State 28-24. Just food for thought. Hogs 28-20.
jacksonreid: I picked North Texas to beat us last year and was confident about it. I'm equally confident CSU wins this game, 31-20. Hope like hell I eat some crow.
LDhog: Hogs 34-14.
georgiahawg: It is amazing what a real SEC caliber QB can do for a team. Ark. 38, CS. 24.
generalhog: 77-13 Arkansas. Yeah, I said it.
hog2009: CSU covers.
poochpunt: I predict we will duck hook three kickoffs and punt three times straight up the elevator shaft. Nonetheless, Hogs 38-20.
bikehog23: I think we score 40. Not sure about CS, maybe 21.
harlewhawgidson: I believe our players are good enough to beat CS, if our coaches' decision-making allows it to happen. Hogs 24-10. Defense shows up big at home.
white25: Ark. 37, CSU 36. Home field advantage.
suigeneris: Colorado State passing game will challenge our defense. Our balance will challenge theirs. Arkansas 31-21.
coloradohog: The piglets cannot score over 20 against air, it seems. So, can the defense hold the mighty Rams under 20? I doubt it. The CSU QB will be in the running for New York after we get through with him. We make all QB's look like All-Americans. Piglets 20, Might Rams 27.
holdenhogfield: Hogs 34, Rams 31. Offense comes to life. Defense hangs on just enough. Limpert two-for-two. Team starting to come together.
biffmalibu: Different QB for CSU this season. We rushed for 300 yards on them last season. I think we do the same again to control time of possession and use that to set up the play-action game with Starkel. I'm setting myself up to be disappointed but I don't think it's particularly close. Hogs 35, Rams 17.
Sports on 09/14/2019