Outback Bowl Picks and Predictions: Back the Hogs to Run Wild

Outback Bowl Picks and Predictions: Back the Hogs to Run Wild

What a game we have this morning to start off the New Year.  One team got all the attention all year, was a top 5 team at one point and yet they end the year losing 5 out of their last 7 and are forgotten in the Big 10. The other is Arkansas, who started the year hot, winning 4 in a row, then they lost 3 in a row and then won four out of five with it's only loss to Alabama by a touchdown (we know how good Alabama is now ). Clearly, one team is hot and one isn't, going into this game and that normally wouldn't be a big deal but today it does for other reasons. 

First thing we need to look at of course is who is playing and who decided sit out. Arkansas is missing Treylon Burks their best WR (67-1123-11) which does hurt them obviously but it's nothing like what Penn State is missing in safety Jaquan Brisker, DT Derrick Tangelo WR Jahan Dotson, all of which are first-round talents. Looking at the Razorbacks, they should be highly motivated as this is their first New Year's game in 14 years and it's been 6 years since they played in a Bowl game, since their last one was canceled for COVID.

This team has had a long drought, wants respect, and has fewer opt outs. They're playing against a Penn State team who has played in this Outback bowl 5 times and is missing so much talent that we just don't see them coming into this game with the same energy as the Hogs. 

We have seen enough bowl games this year to know guys sitting out does affect teams and when you are missing so many defensive starters, we can already see how this will play out. 

With the hungry Hogs playing the depleted Nittany Lions today we feel this game is already decided. HOGS win and we win. lay the 2 or 2.5 and we fully expect the Hogs to run wild and get us a double-digit win as they not only finally play a bowl game but enjoy it with a W.

Outback Bowl Pick

• Arkansas -2 (-110)