Nancy and I spent a cool but calm weekend at the lake. (Our dog, Daisy, a Lhasa apso we keep cut short, also came along.) The leaves are starting to change colors and Ouachita is up to its upper banks. No TV, no Internet. Beautiful.

It was almost a blast from the past — we listened to the Arkansas-Florida football game Saturday afternoon on the radio, via a sports station at 96.3 FM out of Fort Smith, then switched to the American League Championship Series between the Angels and the Yankees on XM Satellite Radio. We worked in a DVD of “Friday Night Lights,” the movie, in between.

It was nice. We didn’t get involved in the “blame the referees” stuff about the Razorbacks game because we couldn’t see if they were bad calls or not. The radio announcers (Chuck Barrett and Keith Jackson) said there were some bad calls, but both of those guys DO work for the University of Arkansas, so what do you expect?

I know that the Razorbacks were much-improved over previous games this year, yet they had three chances to score from inside the Gators 40-yard line in the third quarter and managed only three points. So, yes, we scared the top-ranked Gators, but we had chances to win and didn’t — we lost 23-20. That’s it. Whine all you want, but if you want to be Hog-crazy, worry about the Ole Miss game.

The rest of us will get on with our lives or continue to watch the baseball playoffs — football doesn’t really start until the World Series is over. That’s what matters to me, after my family.

Meanwhile, it’s back to work in the midst of some wonderful fall weather.

This Week From The Bench…

Razorback football coach Bobby Petrino made his first public appearance in Little Rock last week when he spoke at a Little Rock Razorback Club gathering, and you can tell times have changed for Razorback football.

Hawgsports.com

I’m on vacation so I’ve sorta neglected the ole’ blog. So, this will be a big one…

Charles Thomas, Sonny Weems, Patrick Beverley, and Steven Hill were named to the Coaches All-SEC teams on Wednesday. The possible QB controversy I mentioned this weekend…it’s not happening. AS360 profiles Chuck Barrett. A recruiting breakdown for Nutt from ‘03 to ‘07. Over the Summer Patrick Beverley has changed his look and his game. Weston Dacus didn’t practice Wednesday, he needed the rest. Most have heard by now that Ben Cleveland wasn’t allowed on the sideline for Saturday’s Game…Here’s the story. Jillian Rosen, of the #10 Ladyback Cross Country team, was named SEC Freshman of the Year.

They’re Showing the Ark/Aub game on the Big Screen at Dickey Stephens again.
Whole Hog Sports

Coaches Using App. St. as excuse for poor performances against FCS (D1-AA) teams
AOL Fanhouse

A Leading Candidate
With Arkansas’ troubles, McFadden like a breath of fresh air.
Whole Hog Sports

Wally Hall Profiles SEC Commissioner Mike Slive
Whole Hog Sports

Hogs Head to SEC Media Days
Houston Nutt, tailback Darren McFadden and linebacker Weston Dacus will represent the Razorbacks.
Hogwired.com

NBA player Mike Miller: Pelphrey Will Win Big
Pelphrey recruited and coached Miller at Florida
The Morning News

Another Chuck Barrett Story
Whole Hog Sports

UA’s preseason SEC accolades come with a few caveats
Whole Hog Sports

After taking a 10 questions pop quiz on Arkansas Football history, Barrett answers 10 about his regrets, what he’ll miss and more.

My favorite:

ADG: Voice of the Razorbacks is a pretty cool title. Has it sunk in yet ?

CB: No, and I don’t think of it like that. Paul is the Voice of the Razorbacks, and that’s not something that’s bestowed on you, anyway. You have to earn something like that. But in my mind, Paul will always be the Voice of the Razorbacks.

ADG: True, but just for fun, instead of people saying, “Hey, Chuck,” would you prefer them address you as, “Hey, Voice of the Razorbacks ?”

CB: [laughing ] No, I think “Hey, Chuck” will be fine.

WholeHogSports.com

In today’s Arkansas Arkansas-Democrat Gazette Scott Inman states that he’s been asked to continue in his role as the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network (ARSN) Scoreboard Show host. He responded by saying…

“That’s something I’ve yet to decide,” Inman said. “It’s been told to me that I’m welcome to stay. That’s something I’ll have to think about.”

Also mentioned in the story is that as of Friday, June 29th, Barrett’s version of “Sports Rap” will be no more. It was widely publicized earlier this year when Barrett left Arkansas Radio Network’s Sports Rap, and had an agreement that would allow ownership of the name “Sports Rap” to go with him after a period of 12 months. During those 12 months Barrett and ARN would co-own the name. The deal at the time was to allow ARN to continue using the name “Sports Rap”, while Barrett did the same, till the end of the agreement when Barrett would assume sole ownership.

NWAnews.com

Within minutes of each other Little Rock station KATV, the company the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network is a division of, and the University of Arkansas sent out press releases Tuesday. One stated that KATV had withdrawn Scott Inman’s name from the search for the next “Voice of the Razorbacks”. The other,from the university, stated that Barrett had gotten the job. It also mentioned that Barrett will have additional responsibilities with the athletic department such as voice overs for the video board in Razorback Stadium, hosting the Houston Nutt Show, and producing content on www.hogwired.com.

The University’s Statement (www.hogwired.com)
Arkansas Business Story that includes KATV statement (Arkansas Business.com)

Update: The original post stated the KATV press release was the first to go out. This was incorrect and the post has been changed to reflect that. Sorry for the confusion.

Wally Hall tends to think that the Barrett hire, and the statement by Broyles about Inman not being NWA-centric, will further split the Razorback Nation.

Harry King on the other hand likes the hire and this this is a much ado about nothing.

Both viewpoints are provided below for you choosing…

Wally Hall (Whole Hog Sports)
Harry King (Arkansas News Bureau)

Eric Sullivan, Former KTHV sportscaster, posts on Hogville.net about the Barrett decision with some insightful commentary. Also the full story that ran in Friday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is linked below.

Eric Sullivan Post (Hogville.net)
Via ArkansasBusiness.com’s Jim Harris

Ar Dem-Gaz Story (WholeHogSports.com)

Several outlets are reporting tonight that the University of Arkansas and the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network (ARSN), a KATV subsidiary, has agreed that Northwest Arkansas Radio Host Chuck Barrett will be named the “Voice of the Razorbacks” in the coming days. Barrett was selected over KATV’s Scott Inman, who works for the Little Rock TV station as a news anchor. The university and the station have yet to confirm these reports.

Arkansas Times Blog
The Morning News
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette