Sugar Bowl report

NEW ORLEANS — QB gives SEC nod in speed

Arkansas coordinators Garrick McGee and Willy Robinson and several Razorbacks have been careful not to suggest the Razorbacks have a speed advantage over Ohio State heading into Tuesday’s Sugar Bowl.

Robinson called talk of the SEC’s speed superiority over the Big Ten “a misnomer,” while McGee said he “didn’t buy into it at all.”

Then there was Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, who played his freshman season in the Big Ten at Michigan.

“There’s no question there’s a lot of speed in the SEC,” Mallett said. “I would say there’s more in the SEC than in the Big Ten.

“I just think at every position you see guys that can move around: The defensive line, the offensive line, linebackers. ... Guys are just fast - 4.4 and 4.5 - and a lot of guys in the Big Ten aren’t quite that fast at that size and that position.” Filing papers

Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette and linebacker Jerry Franklin, both redshirt juniors, said Saturday they have filed paperwork to be assessed by the NFL Draft advisory committee, bringing the list to at least five Razorbacks.

Receivers Joe Adams and Jarius Wright have said they filed the papers, while quarterback Ryan Mallett also will be deciding if he’lldeclare early by the Jan. 15 deadline.

“I’m definitely leaning towards coming back,” Bequette said. “I’m not going to set anything in stone. I just want to go through the process and see what kind of feedback I get, what a professional scout has to say about my ability.

“I know I had a good year, got some all-conference recognition, but as far as the NFL Draft goes, I’m really pretty ignorant about that.”

Bequette has multiple options. He also has discussed entering law school at Arkansas.

“I’ll evaluate that stuff in the offseason,” Bequette said.

“I’m still working on the law school thing, but right now it’s all about Ohio State.”

Franklin, Arkansas’ leading tackler for three consecutive seasons, said he plans to be back with the Razorbacks as senior.

“I’m not leaving,” he said.

“I just want to see what [NFL officials] say, find out about some things I need to work on.”

Redshirt sophomore defensive end Tenarius Wright said he didn’t file paperwork with the NFL to check on his draft projection.

“I have no thoughts about the NFL right now,” Wright said. “I’m all about college.” Pryor spur

Arkansas players suggested Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor will bring extra motivation into the Sugar Bowl since he’s scheduled to serve a five-game suspension at the start of 2011.

“Sure, it would probably give me more of an edge,” defensive end Jake Bequette said. “I’m sure he’s fired up by that whole situation.”

Added linebacker Jerico Nelson: “Yes, I’m expecting their whole team to come out full throttle.”Winston’s will

Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said sophomore cornerback Darius Winston made great strides in being a physical player during the latter stages of the season.

“If he had a weakness, it was a shyness to make contact, to tackle and stuff,” Robinson said. “I think he’s overcome that because he’s kind of been, not necessarily called out, but the fact that he knows he needs to tackle like the rest of those guys do.” Mallett and Boren

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett and Ohio State guard Justin Boren began their college careers as Michigan teammates.

Now they’re on opposing teams in the Sugar Bowl.

“It’s crazy,” Boren said.

Mallett and Boren decided to transfer from Michigan after the 2007 season, when Loyd Carr retired as coach and Rich Rodriguez was hired from West Virginia to replace him.

Boren said he and Mallett “were pretty close” at Michigan, though they haven’t spoken the past two years.

“When Ryan was a freshman, you knew he was going to be a good quarterback, but he was young,” Boren said.

“Watching some of his games now, you can tell he’s become a great quarterback, and I’m sure he’s very happy with his decision. He’s come a long way.”

While Mallett transferred to Arkansas, which will play the Buckeyes for the first time, Boren transferred to Michigan’s bitter Big Ten rival.

“When it first happened, I got death threats, e-mails saying they hope I blow my knee out,” said Boren, who is from Pickerington, Ohio.

“I started at Michigan. I justthought I’d be better off coming to Ohio State at the time.

“I’ve never looked back.

... It’s the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.”

Boren played center at Michigan, so he and Mallett were used to working together.

“Justin’s a funny dude,” Mallett said. “It was good to get to know him. He’s a great guy and a great player.” Rent or own?

In a question regarding Hurricane Katrina, a reporter asked Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson, who in 2005 was an assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints, if his home sustained any damage.

“In the NFL you don’t own, you rent,” Robinson said.

It’s big

Arkansas and Ohio State have been practicing this week in the Louisiana Superdome.

“It’s a big stadium,” Ryan Mallett said. “I didn’t know it was quite so big until we walked in.” Sixth man

Arkansas junior Grant Cook hasn’t started this season, but he has split snaps with Alvin Bailey at strongside guard.

“Cook’s a starter to me,” offensive line coach Chris Klenakis said. “I’ve got six starters. He plays and he produces. ... Whether it’s Alvin or Grant in there, I don’t bat an eye. We just go.”

Cook said he’s done what he can to help bring Bailey, a redshirt freshman, along.

“I’ve tried to mentor him as much as I can throughout the season, show him what I know playing for four years,” Cook said. “It’s not that tough to do because you want to see everybody on our team succeed.”