by Ronald Sitton

Getting away from a bad habit, the Arkansas Razorbacks made sure they didn't draw a blank this October. Because of inspired play, they wrapped up the Alabama championship for only the third time since joining the Southeastern Conference. I'd like to thank Houston Nutt and his men for making me look psychic.

The Arkansas Razorbacks made a statement to the SEC West, and the schedule looks favorable for a possible division championship, especially since LSU also lost to drop two games back in the race. Arkansas improves to 6-9-1 against Auburn, while Nutt now holds a 5-4 advantage against Auburn and Tommy Tuberville.

Today, Frank Broyles looks like a genius for keeping Nutt from running to Nebraska or LSU. Nutt looks like a genius for hiring Gus Malzahn, the "high school" offensive genius who brought the verticle passing game back to the hills. Malzahn looks like a genius for protecting his freshman quarterback and running two backs for more than 100 yards apiece, i.e. the same plan some critics crucified Nutt for following.

It's amazing what 3-0 in the SEC will do to those critics.

In fact, the only criticism worthy of leveling at Nutt would be why didn't he put in the second-team after Jeremy Davis' field goal put the Hogs up three scores? I'm sure Casey Dick and Michael Smith could use some more game experience in front of a hostile crowd. I'm also curious if maybe we can move Peyton Hillis to linebacker since he's only touching the ball twice a game anyway.

Nutt's biggest problem will be keeping the team focused. I watched an 8-0 Razorback team fumble the game away to Tennessee in Knoxville in 1998, then fumble the outright championship the following week to Mississippi State. While Nutt couldn't keep Clint Stoerner from stumbling (NOTE: Instant replay today would have shown the ground caused the fumble), he should have kept the team focused enough to beat one of Jackie Sherrill's last great football teams.

Razorback fans will expect big nonconference wins against the likes of Southeast Missouri State and Louisiana Monroe. I say forget scoring big for the polls. Let's get the reserves experience for the long haul. Let's find some depth at linebacker, even looking at Hillis on the Reggie Herring's side of the ball.

Ole Miss provides the third home game of the month, sandwiched between SMSU and ULM. The Hogs hold a 28-23-1 advantage over the Rebels, with Nutt owning a 5-3 record during his tenure. Ole Miss always plays the Razorbacks tough; who can ever forget the seven-overtime classic with Matt Jones at the helm? Though I expect a win, the game should keep the team sharp.

BTW, I read about Mitch Mustain and his high school exploits for three years. I knew he'd be something special in time. But honestly, who thought a freshman quarterback could go undefeated in his first four starts, especially since two of the wins came as SEC road games? If this keeps up, people will start asking "Matt Who?"