College Football: Arkansas Razorbacks upset number 2 ranked Auburn Tigers!

by user Douglasvgibbs

Some of you may remember me earlier in the college football season writing an article indicating that the Arkansas Razorbacks had the ability to upset the USC Trojans in the first game of the season. It was a wash, primarily because Houston Nutt refused to pull out the elder quarterback Johnson and put in the freshman phenom Mitch Mustain. Since then, Nutt has come to his senses, and Mustain is breaking records.

Okay, I admit it, at that early point in the season Mustain may not have been ready for a team like USC, and the running game was not the jewel it has become under the abilities of McFadden (who was coming off of a recent foot surgery that included having a pin inserted) and Jones (fast, but unproven at that time). My, how the team has grown and prospered, and now they have upset number 2 Auburn 27-10 on October 7, 2006.

Going into this game against the Auburn Tigers many experts gave the Arkansas Razorbacks little chance to score, much less any expectations to pull off a win, but the game wasn't even close. The Hogs' swarming defense and unstoppable tailbacks, McFadden and Jones, knocked off No. 2 Auburn. Kenny Irons, the star runningback for Auburn, was worthless in the game, as well was their quarterback, Cox, who was sacked five times. The Razorback running game controlled the clock, allowed the defense to rest, and when needed, Mustain threw a few gems with the composure rarely exhibited by freshmen. Even a Fish-kerooski play unexpected by Auburn's defense earned the Razorbacks a mess-load of yardage. Arkansas entered the game as 15-point underdogs. Suddenly, after it was all over, the college football world has been turned upside down, and a new force has finally emerged out of the SEC West.

Arkansas could beat the USC Trojans now if they played them.

Tailback Darren McFadden, who ran for 145 yards and a 63-yard touchdown against a defense that hadn't allowed a TD on the ground all season, said, "We came out here with the mentality that we were going to earn that respect."

They earned the respect they were searching for. The number one story on the sportswire is how the Razorbacks not only beat Auburn, but how the Tigers never even had a chance in the game.

To win on the road against a team like Auburn is huge. To do it with a freshman quarterback that will only get better is even more huge. The Arkansas Razorbacks may not make the BCS this year, and will doubtfully get another chance at USC this year, but watch out Trojans, the Hogs will be a National Title contender in the years to come with Mitch Mustain at quarterback. Hide the children, USC, the Hogs will be coming to town in 2007!