Game of the Week

Before panic sets in, let us remind you of an old Las Vegas saying: It's only gambling if it hurts. What does this mean? Example: If you have the rent check riding on a game and you lose, it hurts. Now pigskin prophet Mark Mathis, who has an 8-2 record, is taking the week off because it's sweeps month and he is helping KREX, the CBS affiliate in Grand Junction, pull in the big numbers. This means the pressure is on the Wiz to keep the momentum rolling. But the man is battle-tested and ready for the challenge. How do we know this? Well, he has gambled the rent money before, that's why. So let's get to it. Our game is Tennessee at Arkansas, with the surprising Razorbacks trying to run their win streak to nine. With injured Volunteer quarterback Erik Ainge expected to miss the game, redshirt freshman Jonathan Crompton will start. Expect the running games to be front and center, and when push comes to shove, Arkansas' superior ground game (No. 4 nationally) will be too much for the Volunteers, who give up an average of 136.44 rushing yards. The Razorbacks win, 24-13.

Joe Biddle, Tennessean: Give Arkansas the edge at running back and all-important toughness.

Ron Higgins, Commercial Appeal: Razorback quarterback Casey Dick has moved from understudy to prime-time starter (registration).

Scott Cain, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Tennessee assistant David Cutcliffe nearly became a member of the Arkansas staff.

Nate Allen, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: The showdown against the Volunteers is an opportunity for the Razorbacks to make an impression with several top-flight recruits.