Saturday’s game
Arkansas (1-1) vs. Southern Cal (1-0)
Where: Los Angeles Coliseum
Time: 9:15 p.m. (CDT)
Radio/TV: The ARSN network will broadcast the game on radio affiliates; Fox Sports Net will carry the game nationally on TV.
What James says: The No. 1 thing I saw coming out of the Vanderbilt game was the play of the quarterback was better than I had anticipated. Robert Johnson has come a long way and looked comfortable rolling out, which makes him more dangerous. Arkansas’s ability to run the ball well may match up well with USC. I was disappointed in the defensive line play and the poor tackling last week. We’re playing with enthusiasm and effort, but fundamentally we’re still poor tacklers.
About the Hogs’ mental state: I like it that they never quit giving good effort. Now, they are embarrassed. If they have any pride at all, they know they are going on national TV, going into the huge marketplace of L.A, against the No. 1 team in America. However good Arkansas is, you’re going to see it come out in this ball game. Arkansas will play as well as it can play because of the pride factor.
The pick: 42-13 Southern Cal. Because Arkansas lost to Vanderbilt, that hurts USC’s strength of schedule rating and may force USC to run the score up to counter that. But Coach Pete Carroll is a class guy and will try to put the game away early and play his reserves. They are as talented across the board and as deep as any team in the nation.
Watch former Arkansas All-American defensive end Bruce James along with David Bazzel and host Steve Sullivan on KATV, Channel 7’s “SportsWeek” Sundays at 10:30 p.m.