NCAA Picks: Ky-Arkansas, Georgia-'Bama, SCarolina-LSU are the big SEC games

[WildcatRick]

As if there weren't enough big games in the Southeastern Conference, three inter-divisional matchups that might not have been circled on many calendars back in the summer have turned out to be important and intriguing.

Kentucky, coming off a huge win over rival Louisville, visits Arkansas on Saturday, with the Razorbacks trying to rebound from a heartbreaking loss at Alabama. An 0-2 league start is no way for Darren McFadden and the Hogs to defend their Western Division title.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iTg4RjKQrFzhJgNLS0G9Z4vnwDtQ

[WildcatRick]

This stat has been repeated all week: Under Houston Nutt, whenever Arkansas loses for the first time in Southeastern Conference play, the Razorbacks always go on to lose their next conference game as well.

For example, last season Arkansas' first SEC loss came in the regular-season finale against LSU. The Hogs followed that with a loss to Florida in the SEC title game.

Stats like that are sometimes the result of coincidental quirks, but the sight of No. 21 Kentucky coming to town should give the Razorbacks pause. Who would have thought the Wildcats would be the ranked team heading into this one?

Quarterback Andre Woodson is hoping to take advantage of an Arkansas defense that had a hard time chasing Alabama's receivers last week, but the Wildcats have their own problems defensively. Darren McFadden should have plenty of running room in a game that will be enjoyable for anyone who likes offense.

ARKANSAS 49, KENTUCKY 37

http://www.arsnonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4501

[WildcatRick]

Arkansas’ date with Kentucky couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Razorbacks.

The last thing the Razorbacks’ defense needed after being worked over by Alabama’s passing game last Saturday is a shootout with the Wildcats, who boast the most prolific passing game in the Southeastern Conference this side of Florida and Tennessee.

Behind the accurate arm of André Woodson, the Wildcats are averaging 48. 7 points and 257. 7 yards passing a game. With 21 receptions for 257 yards, Keenan Burton leads a group of six Kentucky receivers who have at least five receptions this season. Dicky Lyons is second with 13 catches for 167 yards, followed by Steve Johnson with 7 catches for 167 yards.

By contrast, Peyton Hillis is the Hogs’ leader in receptions with nine grabs for 73 yards and a touchdown, and Crosby Tuck leads in yardage with two catches for 82 yards and two TDs.

What makes Ketucky’s passing game so dangerous is that the Wildcats are not one-dimensional. Kentucky is actually second in the SEC to the Razorbacks in rushing offense, averaging 246 yards per game. Wildcats running back Rafael Little is third in the league in rushing, averaging 129. 3 yards per game.

Add that to the fact, the Wildcats are ranked second in the SEC in turnover margin, forcing two turnovers a game, and it’s easy to see why the Wildcats are ranked.

http://nwanews.com/nwat/Sports/57385/