Welcome to the 57th edition, 2016 version of the Liberty Bowl, featuring the 7 – 5 (5 – 3) Arkansas Razorbacks vs  the Kansas State Wildcats (6 – 6 (3 – 6)). This will be the 6th meeting between the Razorbacks and the Wildcats.

Arkansas vs Kansas State
The Liberty Bowl Awakens

The Liberty Bowl is this Saturday and it’s going to be dry, but chilly. Dress warm if you’re going. pic.twitter.com/xyMHiBBypP

— Justin Logan (@jloganwxguy) December 31, 2015

 

Let me first personally apologize if this comes across as a little pro-Razorbacks. I’ve made no bones that I am a Razorbacks fan, and have a bit of a personal passion for riling up the KSU Wildcat faithful from time to time.

HOW THE TEAMS GOT HERE…

The Arkansas Razorbacks schedule:

After three straight losses against Toledo, Texas Tech and Texas A&M, the first road win against a conference opponent since 2012 at Tennessee, the Hogs started getting it together against Alabama. It took a quadruple overtime against Auburn for the Razorbacks to finally get it and then sync up together. The 1 point loss at Mississippi State was the only heartbreaker the second half of the season for the Razorbacks.

The Kansas State Wildcats schedule:

After starting off strong, the Wildcats lost 6 straight games, including a decimating shutout between the Sooners. A last minute win vs WVU ensured that the Wildcats would be eligible for a Bowl game.

 

These two teams have faced each other a total of five times; the Razorbacks lead the series 3-2:

The last time they met was for the 2011-12 Cotton Bowl Classic, which (up until last night) had never had a more higher rated match up: A 10-2 (7-2) Wildcats team versus a 10-2 (6-2) Razorbacks team.

In case anyone forgot, that was probably one of the most highly rated bowl games between two incredibly fantastic teams and was a game for the ages. In many cases, most felt this should have been a BCS bowl game in of itself.

Fast forward to tomorrow’s game… Emperor Palpatine Snyder will be leading the DARK SIDE against young Jedi Knight Skywalker Bielema and the rest of the JediHogs. On paper, this looks like a very even match up, however, when you factor in the Razorbacks mammoth OL’s Front Five, plus the RB duo of Alex Collins and Kody Walker, throw in a Sprinkle of a solid pass defense, I highly doubt there will be many “Gaines” by the Wildcats.

Arkansas Razorbacks in the Liberty Bowl:

1971-12-20	Tennessee	L, 13 – 14
1984-12-27	Auburn	L, 15 – 21
1987-12-29	Georgia	L, 17 – 20
2010-01-02	East Carolina	W, 20 – 17 (1OT)

The Liberty Bowl has not been a kind venue for the Razorbacks to play in. The last time they were there, it was downright COLD for everyone… no rain or snow, just temps in the upper 20s.

Kansas State Wildcats in the Liberty Bowl:

You’re kidding, right? First appearance for the kittens!

Last time they went bowling:

Arkansas: Texas Bowl, vs Texas. The Longhorns were completely obliterated, 31-7.

Kansas State: Alamo Bowl, vs UCLA. Wildcats lost to the Bruins, 35-40.

By the Numbers:

Arkansas Points Scored – 422 (35 PPG); Points Allowed – 333 (28 PPG)
Kansas State Points Scored – 366 (30 PPG); Points Allowed – 364 (30 PPG)

Alex Collins is on the verge of re-writing a couple Arkansas Razorback records.
* If he can rush for 100+ yards, he will have 10 games of 100+ rushing yards, tied for first place (2007 – Darren McFadden)
* With just TWO rushing TDs, he’ll have 19 for the season, tying Bill Burnett’s 1969 record.
* Only needs 52 rushing yards to tie #2 all time career rushing yardage (Ben Cowins, 1975-78)
* He joins Darren McFadden and Herschel Walker as the only RBs to have back to back to back 1,000+ yard rushing seasons.

Kansas State:
* Bill Snyder inducted into the CFB Hall of Fame
* Tyler Lockett, WR – Big 12 Athlete of the Year
* Morgan Burns, K/P Returner – All American nominee

Prediction:

Hugo Bezdek said it best in 1910, about the 1909 team: “fought like a band of wild razorback hogs”. I anticipate more of the same tomorrow. Hogs walk away with a 32-30 win.

Bowl logo courtesy of Liberty Bowl.