Cotton Bowl- Arkansas Preview

It's only been a month since Mizzou played. Seems like three months, but that's probably because my Chicago Bears played like a bunch powderpuff panzees playing grabass for most of the season, so I didn't have a time killer. People with any football knowledge realize that Mizzou got screwed in the BCS, but the Tigers have to play where they got picked, which happens to be in lovely Dallas on New Year's Day at 10:30a. Yeah, 10:30a. How's that weather going to look?

Shit.

So not only do you have to get up at 5:30a to start your tailgate, but you have to bundle up like Randy from the Christmas Story to get your fill of Victory Whiskey. Ok, so many of you, including me, are still stuck in the Midwest where windchills are going to be -15 for New Year's Eve, so 35 degrees seems like we could break the shorts out. Anyway, there's a game to be had.

-Arkansas comes to this games Nutt-less. Houston Nutt bailed on the hairy pigs to take a premier job...at Ole Miss? There hasn't been this clean of a breakup since I caught my buddy's then-girlfriend out with some chache at Twin Creek Cinema watching Talladaga Nights. Not even an awkward 2a bar call from Houston Nutt to Johnny Razorback. You got dumped! Timing of coaches leaving is always pretty bad, and the Razorbacks will have an interim coach before Jumping Bobby Petrino hops in the driver's seat of the program for a year.

-Speaking of cars and distractions, insert Darren McFadden. The entire story is so far out of leftfield, it's hard to believe you could make it up. It makes sense, especially looking at McFadden's "other" car (aka 'donk' for the ebonically inclined). Pretty nice for someone that doesn't get paid, eh? After the game, look for McFadden to hit the exit quicker than Sleezy does an open bar at a wedding.

-Mizzou hasn't seen a pair of backs like McFadden/Felix Jones. Arkansas hasn't seen a pair of TE's like Rucker/Coffman and the best all around receiving corp in the country. Both of these defenses have been a bend but don't break, and this game could turn into a match of rochambo.

-Chase Daniel should have a very good day. He'll have a ton of family in the stands, is used to playing in Dallas, and will have better offensive weapons that the one-armed guy in the pawn shop. Arkansas doesn't have an answer for Mizzou's WRs or Chase.

-Ziggy Hood and Stryker Sulak both put in their NFL papers to be evaluated. Even though both seem to be coming back, you want a nice eval on national TV? Stop the run son! McFadden was piss poor early in the year, only to come back and almost win the Heisman. He was close to Houston Nutt, so losing him is big for D-Mac. Still, McFadden is used out of that "Hog Formation", which he plays QB (think T Rucker at QB. Lots of rushing).

-McFadden might be the best QB on the Arkansas squad. Casey Dick is horrible and has a worse arm than Sleezy's sister, Casie.

So getting up at 10a on a New Year's Day might be a record. I'd suggest that you keep drinking overnight for maximum capability. It's going to be a shootout (again), with Mizzou on top 48-32. The Cotton Bowl will be the best game of NY Day, BCS or not. A win will be a nice way to ring in Pinkel's new contract and a pretty sweet way to start '08. And by start, I mean the game will be over by 2p. Lots of Victory Whiskey means it will be naptime/pass out.

Game is on Fox television, and click here if you can't watch. Also, make sure to hit up our brothers-in-arms at Rock M Nation for their live blog. Instant comedy...err...analysis.