Arkansas isn't in whine cellar

SCOTT CAIN
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Normally laid-back Quinton Caver was distressed when he visited with Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt two weeks ago.
Caver, a senior linebacker, had found time outside of summer school and workouts to scan the preseason football magazines. Based on their rankings, the glossy print braintrust didn't think much of Arkansas' chances to contend for the SEC championship.
In fact, they gave the Razorbacks no chance. Three publications picked the Hogs to finish sixth in the six-team SEC West, and another put them fifth.
The conversation between Caver and Nutt went something like this:
Caver: "Coach, they picked us last."
Nutt: "That's good. That's OK."
Caver: "Coach, they picked us last. That's just no respect."
"But I got to thinking about that," Nutt said Tuesday as the leadoff coach at SEC Media Days. "When you see these [SEC teams], well, who would you pick last? It's a tough, tough conference."
Duly noted. But Caver was genuinely disturbed by the predictions, enough so to consult Nutt.
"I just wanted to get Coach's attention," Caver said. "Not just Coach's, but also the players'. It shocked me they've got us picked dead last. But that's motivation for us to go out and play hard and prove that we're not the worst team in the West."
The preseason poll that is voted on by the media who cover the conference will be released Thursday, and Arkansas is expected to fall into the bottom half of those projections, too.
Somebody has to fill the final spot, and Nutt doesn't mind seeing his team there for a couple of reasons. One, he realizes Arkansas, along with Mississippi State, has the least number of returning starters (nine) of any conference team; and two, the last time the Razorbacks were overlooked, they tied for the West title.
"In 1998 we were picked last and we ended up with nine wins," Nutt said of his first season at Arkansas. "In 1999, we were picked first and I didn't think we were quite ready for the intensity of the SEC. We were still trying to learn how to win. You've got to be ready to win every single Saturday."
The players returning from the previous team took advanced studies in winning late last the season. Arkansas won three of its last four games, the victories coming against Tennessee, Mississippi State and then Texas in the Cotton Bowl. All three were ranked in the top 15 when they lost.
But that team had 22 seniors. This one has 11.
"It's easy to see why they picked us last," Nutt said.
Even so, Nutt has said he likes the qualities he sees from the fewer but, perhaps, more leadership-oriented seniors this year.
No senior is projected to start on the offensive line, but that's the first area Nutt mentioned when he gave a quick rundown of Arkansas' assets and concerns.
Four offensive line starters return and depth has improved, particularly at tackle. Arkansas led the conference in fewest sacks allowed, and the top three running backs averaged a combined 5.6 yards per carry behind solid blocking.
Linebackers, receivers and running back are strengths, too.
Among the concerns are finding a kicker, a quarterback and defensive play-makers, Nutt said. The defensive interior also will play slightly undersized.
It's likely that Nutt will alternate Robby Hampton and Gary Brashears at quarterback, Nutt said. He's looking for one of them to take control of the huddle, make routine plays and do so without turning over the ball.
"Both of them are going to play until one of them decides, 'Hey, Coach, I'm the guy,' " Nutt said. "It might take one game, it might take two or it might take three. I don't know."
Hampton and Brashears probably will alternate by series and not every other play as Florida Coach Steve Spurrier has used quarterbacks at times.
Neither player will have to be Superman, as Nutt likes to say, because much of the responsibility for moving the ball will be given to sophomore tailback Cedric Cobbs. Precisely how much remains to be seen.
"That's the biggest difference he's going to face is how many times can you carry it and stay healthy and do it each Saturday," Nutt said. "I can't tell you the number exactly, but I just know it's going to be enough. What's enough, I don't know.
Cobbs can count on at least 20 touches, a combination of carries and receptions. He also will be used on kickoff returns with Fred Talley.
Cobbs attracted a swarm of reporters during his interview session Tuesday and handled questions that included trying to become a Heisman Trophy candidate and a possible NFL career.
One reporter asked if Arkansas was good enough to win the West.
"Definitely," Cobbs said.
What else do you expect a player to say?
The difference between Cobbs' expectations and the media's is that his ultimately carry more weight. Cobbs and his teammates have the ability to do their voting on the field.

This article was published on Wednesday, July 26, 2000

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