The city of Atlanta is already abuzz for tomorrow's SEC Championship Game. Based on what we've seen on the streets, Florida should have an edge in terms of fan support. But who will have the edge on the field? Will Florida's vaunted rush defense be able to stop the Razorbacks backfield? Will Chris Leak finally be recognized as one of the great UF quarterbacks of all time?

Continue reading "SEC Championship Game Preview" »

Posted by Adam Aizer at 09:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When Urban Meyer and Houston Nutt woke up this morning (assuming they were actually able to fall asleep last night), I'm sure they had a lot on their minds. This is the biggest game for each of these coaches at Florida and Arkansas, respectively.

But these guys are pros. They've been relaxed and confident all day, setting the tone for their players as the Championship Game approaches.

This afternoon, we went to the Coaches Luncheon at a nearby hotel to dine with UF and Arkansas fans. We heard both Meyer and Nutt talk with SEC broadcaster Dave Neal. Before the interview, highlights of every SEC Championship Game were shown on big screens at the front of the room.

Continue reading "The Day Before the Game" »

Posted by Adam Aizer at 07:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you ask college football fans where to find the best high school talent in the country, many would tell you California, Texas, and Florida.

They wouldn't be wrong, but few are aware of a high school in the town of Stone Mountain, Georgia that has produced 19 Division I football players since 2001. That includes two guys, Anthony Cannon of the Detroit Lions and DeMario Minter of the Cleveland Browns, who were drafted in April. This football program has only been around for 10 years, yet it continues to generate college stars.

SEC coaches are certainly well aware of Stephenson High School and its head coach, Ron Gartrell.

"We've got our share out there in the SEC," Gartrell said. "Each week we're kind of straddling the fence in terms of who we're gonna cheer for, but we're just glad they're all out there."

Here's a quick list of some of current SEC players that Gartrell coached.

Continue reading "A High School Divided" »

Posted by Adam Aizer at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The last time the Arkansas Razorbacks lost, they ran off 10 straight wins.

A 50-14 destruction by USC on Arkansas' home field created negativity and a lot of doubt among the fans and media.

But it was a much different story inside the locker room. After that loss, a seniors-only meeting was held to regroup the Razorbacks and save the season.

And it worked.

So if you think Arkansas will limp into the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, think again.

Continue reading "Leadership Carries Arkansas to SEC Championship" »

Posted by Adam Aizer at 07:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In LSU's 31-26 victory over Arkansas, these are some of the players who stood out.

LSU receiver Dwayne Bowe: He went up against stiff competition. Arkansas cornerback Chris Houston is a good player, but he was no match for Bowe (five catches, 68 yards). He ran the slant pattern to perfection and the wide receiver screen was one of LSU's most successful plays thanks to Bowe. It wasn't just his pass catching. Bowe's blocking ability was great early, helping set up a 29 yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Continue reading "The Best of LSU-Arkansas" »

Posted by Adam Aizer at 07:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The LSU Tigers were looking for respect. They got it.

The boys from Baton Rouge believed before this game that they were the best in the SEC. Even with today's win, fans in Gainesville will point out UF's victory over LSU in The Swamp as proof to the contrary. But the Tigers put on quite a performance in Little Rock this afternoon which will surely allow them to jump the Razorbacks in the polls.

Now picture this: If Florida loses to Florida State tomorrow or to Arkansas next week, LSU could easily become the highest ranked SEC team in country. That would mean it is possible for the best team in the conference, according to the rankings, to not have played in the conference championship game and perhaps not even go to a BCS Bowl Game. Although I would say LSU will probably get there after this win.

If any conference deserves an at-large bid to a BCS Bowl, it's the SEC. If any team in the SEC deserves it, it's LSU. Why? Four road games against top 10 teams, and a 2-2 record in those games.

Continue reading "LSU Boots Arkansas 31 - 26" »

Posted by Adam Aizer at 06:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We couldn't ask for a better game this week. I believe that when Arkansas hosts LSU Friday afternoon, we will be seeing the two best teams in the SEC. LSU strong safety Jesse Daniels says his team is the best in the conference. Now the Tigers have to prove it.

Continue reading "LSU at Arkansas Preview" »

Posted by Adam Aizer at 12:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

'The Mission' has brought us and our readers closer to 'the inside story' of the SEC than I ever thought possible.

Over the past few months we've sat with legendary coaches like Spurrier and Dooley; legendary players like Wuerffel, Rogers and Sullivan; legendary fans like The Big Dawg and Jim Brown and even legendary mascots like Aubie and Uga. While these moments of great access have helped us in telling the stories of passion and pride in the SEC-- it is the off-cuff moments and the surprise sound-bites that have had the most impact on me...

On September 23rd Alabama and Arkansas battled it out into double overtime. When the victory finally fell into the hands of the Razorbacks, I made the mad-dash to midfield to document the profound hysteria of the day. On my way to the 50-yard line I saw Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt embracing one of his daughters-- not that many media had gotten to him yet and as I closed-in, I heard him say: 'We needed that one.'

Continue reading "Glenn's view from the Field - The Pride of Arkansas?" »

Posted by Glenn Anderson at 01:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Every time he touches it, it seems like it's magic. We expect him to go all the way."

These are the words of Steve Sullivan, a sports anchor and reporter at KATV in Little Rock. You probably needed me to tell you that.

Sullivan is referring to Razorbacks running back Darren McFadden. You probably didn't need me to tell you that one.

Glenn, Emily, and I stood on the field at an empty War Memorial Stadium. This is Arkansas' "other" home field. On Friday afternoon, the fans that don't usually get to make it to home games in Fayetteville will pack this smaller, more old-school edifice and do their best to intimidate the LSU Tigers.

They'll be cheering on a hometown hero, McFadden, as well.

Continue reading ""Born to be a Razorback"" »

Posted by Adam Aizer at 12:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At the beginning of the year, I don't think anyone could have predicted the questions that would be asked today at Arkansas football practice.

Questions about the SEC Championship Game, the National Championship Game, and the Heisman Trophy would have seemed a little far-fetched in August. But that is reality for the Razorbacks as they begin preparations for a Friday showdown with LSU.

As we pulled into the parking lot behind Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, the lights had descended on the Arkansas football team. Here is a team with an embattled coach, fighting for respect and his job just months ago. Here is a team that suffered a season-opening blowout to Southern California. Here is a team that few expected anything from. And here is a flock of media members rushing to interview that same embattled coach and overachieving team just moments after practice concluded.

Continue reading "How 'Bout Them Hogs" »

Posted by Adam Aizer at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We've had an incredible time in Fayetteville! The people were terrific, the crowds were great, the energy was incredible, and today's game was as good as it could possibly get.

Continue reading "Arkansas: Wrapping it up from Fayetteville" »

Posted by at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Ever since the journalism bug caught me, I've thought about how great it would be to cover my alma mater in Razorback Stadium. Thankfully, CSTV not only provided me the job of a lifetime with Mission: SE Football, they also provided me with the chance to live out another dream, as I entered the Orville Henry Press Box for today's Arkansas-Alabama game.

Continue reading "Arkansas: View From the Press Box (and Sidelines)" »

Posted by at 12:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It was 1987, and Anthony Cooney had just sealed a 24-17 win for Arkansas over Ole Miss in Jackson. My family and I were standing in line at a local restaurant to eat, and that's when I first saw Paul Eells in person, standing right behind us. I was in awe then. And today, even after his tragic death, I'm in awe of the legendary Voice of the Razorbacks.

Continue reading "Arkansas: Remembering Paul Eells" »

Posted by at 11:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Houston Nutt called today's game between Arkansas and Alabama "a good, old-fashioned slugfest". And, with a good, old-fashioned slugfest, there are lots of players who stepped up, and will be guys to watch for the remainder of this season.

Continue reading "Arkansas: Players to Watch" »

Posted by at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

College football fans that enjoy passion, that enjoy a true battle on the field, where two teams leave every ounce of sweat and energy on the field, this game was for you. For those who enjoy drama at its absolute finest, where every last play drew gasps or cheers from the crowd, this game was for you. Today, we saw one for the ages, a classic battle of hard-hitting SEC football, and in the end, Arkansas prevailed with a 24-23 win over Alabama in double overtime.

Continue reading "Arkansas: One For The Ages: Arkansas wins 24-23 in 2 OTs." »

Posted by at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After a night filled with severe thunderstorms, the skies have cleared and the sun is shining as we are 30 minutes away from today's SEC West showdown between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Alabama.

Continue reading "Arkansas: Pre-Game in Fayetteville!" »

Posted by at 02:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are some classic cheers in college sports, especially in the SEC. In Alabama, they yell "Roll Tide". In Georgia, they ask the Dawgs to "Sick 'Em!" and to Hunker Down. Ole Miss fans have the "Hotty Toddy" chant. However, one of the more famous...and unique...cheers in college sports happens when Arkansas fans stand up and call those Hogs.

Continue reading "Arkansas: Let's CALL...THOSE...HOGS!" »

Posted by at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been four weeks since I left Fayetteville for Atlanta to begin the ultimate road trip in college sports. Since then, we've been to five campuses, met lots of great and generous people, and caught some incredible college football. However, coming back to Fayetteville has been a pleasure, and being able to show off my alma mater today was truly a fun experience that makes me even more proud of what the University of Arkansas is all about.

Continue reading "Arkansas: Home is where the HOG is" »

Posted by at 08:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When you think about college football, we think more of the college towns and larger cities within a state that are affected with the outcome of each game. However, small towns in the South have proven to be just as passionate about their beloved teams, and one small Arkansas town shows everyone who drives by just how excited they can be.

Continue reading "Arkansas: Small Town, Big Sign" »

Posted by at 12:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)