EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 Television
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Chat Reel: Houston Nutt

Anybody can win on Saturday in SEC play

Houston Nutt is excited about quarterback Robby Hampton, who has shown leadership and maturity in practice. Andy Lyons/Allsport

Arkansas coach Houston Nutt chatted with CNNSI.com users on August 17, 2000. A transcript of his chat follows:

CNNSI Host: Welcome to our chat with Arkansas coach Houston Nutt. Welcome Coach Nutt!
Houston Nutt: Thank you

From CodeRed: How does this team compare to last year's team as far as talent in your mind?
Houston Nutt: The one thing we probably miss is the experience, with Anthony Lucas, Clint Stoerner, Kenoy Kennedy. You probably had two or three guys on each side of the ball that you knew were leading this team through experience. Stoerner had three years under his belt in the SEC. This year's team, I love their speed, I love their leadership, but with only 11 seniors instead of 22. Robby Hampton, our quarterback, and Cedric Cobbs, our line that's coming back -- I'm real excited about this team.

From Mike Harris in San Antonio, Texas: Coach Nutt, we can't wait to get to the first game this year up in Little Rock. After that game, you have the next week off. How do you feel about having a week off after the first game? I look at our first SEC game against Alabama with them having played three games in a row and us having played only two games. Does that help or hurt us? Go Hogs!!
Houston Nutt: We're going to make sure it helps. If I had my druthers, I would love to have two non-conference games, than an open week, then Alabama, but you don't have that option. So we're going to use this to our advantage, take that open week to do some correcting, then really build on it. I'd be much more concerned if we played the first date, open date, then Alabama.

From Ted Bell in Little Rock, Ark.: There have been many distractions since January 1, including a major rift about whether the Hogs play in Little Rock, and one of your top quarterbacks leaving the team. Have these distractions effected the team in any way or are they merely "talk show fodder"?
Houston Nutt: Very, very good question, I think that's when your coaches come in. If you look at everything that's happened since the Cotton Bowl, there could be distractions. That's where I think our coaches have done a great job. I really think we've improved every day. I'm real excited about how Robby Hampton's coming along.

From Ron: As tough as the SEC is, does this make you more open to the idea of a national playoff system?
Houston Nutt: I don't like the national playoff system because of two reasons: we're in the toughest conference in America. If you win this conference, you have a great opportunity to win the national championship. Also this way, many teams have an opportunity to end their season on a positive note. Maybe one playoff game would be OK, but to have a system like basketball, I just don't like that.

From OwlFAN: Coach Nutt, How do you feel about the No. 2 quarterback position?
Houston Nutt: I love our quarterbacks we have in camp right now. Robby Hampton has been by far the leader, the most mature. What you feel good about at No. 2 is Zak Clark and Jared McBride, they have done nothing but take coaching. Only thing Jared has done since he's been here is "Yes sir" "No sir," persevered through a lot of situations and will get a chance to play. I think we're in better shape there than most people think.

From Steve Soller in Montgomery, Ala.: At this point in practices, what are your major areas of concern and how close are they to being resolved?
Houston Nutt: I think one of the biggest thing we have concern with is our punting game. Richie Butler, we just want him to be consistent. he's got one of the strongest legs in the country when he is right. Kicker -- we don't have anyone with experience coming back. We could rely on Donahue, who is a freshman, or a walk-on. I think everything will be shored up within two weeks. We have gained some depth at the offensive line. I wish we had 1 or 2 more tailbacks. Every coach would like 1 or 2 more players at every position, but one area of concern for us is the secondary. You don't want to lose one of the starters; you're going right into the freshmen after that.

From Bake: Do you think that the addition to your staff of Bill Johnson will help recruiting in the state of Texas?
Houston Nutt: Without a doubt. He's already proved that. The relationships he's built for the last eight to 10 years down there is just remarkable. Go to any clinic down there and everybody knows him and really respects him. He has a genuine respect from these coaches, and they're not afraid to send a kid to the University of Arkansas, and I think that's a direct connection to Bill Johnson.

From seminole: Coach Nutt, are you excited to face your former team in Boise State this fall?
Houston Nutt: I am. I know they're going to be excited to see me, and we want to calm down their enthusiasm early. I'm expecting our Little Rock crowd to show them what real football's all about from the atmosphere. I'm looking forward to seeing some of the people up there, some of the players we helped recruit. So that will be fun.

From James R. in Dallas, Texas: Who is the most improved player at this point in camp compared to last year?
Houston Nutt: It's hard to pick out one with 105 people. One is Fa'Quan Harris. Another, Cory Warren, LB, Sulphur, La., and Richard Smith, WR, Evangel High School in Louisiana. Kenny Hamlin from Memphis, a free safety. And I think Carlos Hall and Randy Garner have improved even more. I know they have a lot of status already. And one guy I want everyone to look for -- I think Jermaine Brooks is going to have a great year.

From Joe in Columbus, Ohio: The Hogs have been picked anywhere from second or third to last in the SEC West, where do you think the team will stack up this year?
Houston Nutt: Well, we're going to go out and try to win every ballgame. That's our goal. We realize we're in one of the toughest conferences in America, and anybody can beat anybody on any given Staurday. I go with our senior leadership, and I know they were discouraged about being picked last. And I told them don't worry about it, it's just a preseason poll. And the only one that matters is the one in January - and that can only be decided on the football field.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Coach Nutt. Thank you for joining us Coach Nutt and good luck this season.
Houston Nutt: Thank you. Bye bye.

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.