Since Arkansas joined the SEC in 1992, the Razorbacks and LSU Tigers have developed a decent rivalry.
Some of it was because CBS moved the game to the day after Thanksgiving; some of it was because of "The Boot," created by David Bazzel, the subject of next Thursday's Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas annual Toast and Roast; and some of it was because there have been some pretty exciting games.
Both teams have won in upsets and overtime.
In their 23 meetings as conference opponents, the Tigers hold a 14-9 advantage, but 10 of the games were decided by single digits and nine of those were by a touchdown or less.
When the teams meet Nov. 14 in Death Valley, there will still be great interest and most likely a lot on the line. But their fan bases aren't in the same place as both teams open fall practice today.
Arkansas went 7-6 last season, 2-6 in SEC play, and there is great hope for the future of the Razorbacks program.
LSU was 8-5 last season, including 4-4 in conference play. Les Miles may not be on a hot seat, but it has to be warm because the fan base is never happy with losses to Mississippi State, Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas (a 17-0 shutout) in the same season. Per capita, the state of Louisiana turns out the second-highest number of NFL players, so there is plenty of talent there.
Miles is 103-29 at LSU, he won the BCS national championship in 2007 and his Tigers played for it again in 2012 but lost to Alabama. After that game Miles said LSU did nothing different than the first meeting between the teams that season, which LSU won 9-6 in overtime. Nick Saban added several new wrinkles to his offense for the rematch and won 21-0.
What has plagued LSU, especially recently, is its failure to recruit a good quarterback.
Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris were unimpressive last season.
LSU closed out last season by losing to Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl, defensive coordinator John Chavis -- who saw 24 of his players get drafted by the NFL during his time at LSU -- left for Texas A&M because he was tired of the Tigers' lack of offense, and there was the usual handful of arrests (five this time).
Miles addressed the quarterback situation last month at the SEC football media days, saying the Tigers were young, which is true, and that he's confident the quarterback play will be better.
So how could the Tigers' quarterback play not be improved? Well, Jennings was one of those arrested, but the charges were dropped.
The Tigers return a lot of experience with 16 starters back (8 on offense, 6 on defense and 2 on special teams).
One of those returning starters is running back Leonard Fournette. He is already on the Heisman Trophy radar, but for the New Orleans native to have a shot at it Miles must find a way to get him more involved in the offense, and that doesn't mean returning kickoffs again. That should be something he does in special situations.
The 6-1, 230-pound speedster had carry totals of 7, 10, 21, 5 and 11 in LSU's five losses last season.
LSU always seems to have a herd of running backs, but Fournette -- who also has very good hands -- and Darrell Williams are the only ones entering this season with experience.
Apparently the Tigers are transitioning from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 alignment, and that requires a lot of learning and adjusting, especially by a defensive front that has become very thin because three defensive linemen have quit since last season.
LSU has a good receiving corps, but the Tigers have to find a quarterback who can get it to them.
This looks to be an interesting season in Baton Rouge, and by the time the Hogs visit, Les Miles will be able to correctly pronounce Arkansas.
The game could be that big for him.
Sports on 08/06/2015