This is great news both for Arkansas and for Ryan Mallett. Clearly, the biggest issue Ryan had all year long was getting so amped up that he overthrew the ball (not throwing high—throwing too hard). Touch is a factor of maturity. We definitely saw Ryan learn to take some heat off the ball by mid-season. That was a reflection of his emotional development more than any change in his mechanics or delivery.

Having played an entire season and set every record Arkansas has, Mallett has now ‘been there, done that.’ He isn’t going to be intimidated by a big crowd (‘intimidation’ being represented by increased aggression for him, making him overthrow).

I was at the Liberty Bowl. It worked out perfectly: cold as a witch’s t*ttie in a brass bra, with receivers dropping a good third of Ryan’s on-target passes. As a result, Mallett looked unprepared for the NFL (he’s not, this was just the first time he’s ever played in those conditions—we saw him connecting in the second half as he took speed off the ball).

Next year we stand to be really special. With the home-away schedule flopped from ’09’s meat grinder and Florida off the board, the Hogs OUGHT to go 10-2 with losses to Bama and either Georgia or Auburn. But they COULD be as good as 11-1, and we all know what that means. I live in Atlanta; next year that may pay off big time.