Gameday Live: Arkansas vs. Mississippi State
The Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs Saturday afternoon at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. Check out the HawgSports.com staff predictions.
WHO: Arkansas Razorbacks (2-6, 0-5 SEC) vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-5, 1-4 SEC)
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000 cap.) in Fayetteville (Ark.)
TELEVISION: SEC Network
STREAMING: Available via ESPN app or found HERE
RADIO: Razorback Sports Network from IMG (99.5 FM/1290 AM in Fayetteville), Sirius Channel 99, XM Channel 190. It is available online on TuneIn HERE
WEATHER: 48 degrees, zero percent chance of rain at kickoff
BETTING LINE: Mississippi State is favored by 7.5 points
PETE ROULIER | 6-2 overall, 5-3 against the spread
I have the Hogs pulling out the upset in this one. Arkansas' head coach Chad Morris makes the smart move and plays John Stephen Jones or KJ Jefferson instead of Ben Hicks or Nick Starkel for at least the majority of the game at quarterback. Razorback defensive coordinator John Chavis already dropped the ball once this season by letting Kentucky's Lynn Bowden, wide receiver turned quarterback, run all over the Hogs' defense. So, if anything, the Hogs will do enough on defense to force freshman quarterback Garrett Shrader to throw the ball. Surely they have learned by now, right? Arkansas and Morris get a much-needed win. Arkansas 24, Mississippi State 17
TREY BIDDY | 6-2 overall, 3-5 against the spread
- Arkansas could win this game. Arkansas could find what they're looking for at quarterback in John Stephen Jones or KJ Jefferson. They could finally win a close game against a notable opponent after going 1-7 in 1-score games under Chad Morris with the lone victory over Portland State...but I can't pick them to win until I actually see that they are capable of doing it. Mississippi State is about as beatable as Kentucky was. The main difference in Arkansas' favor, however, is that this game is in the friendly confines of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, rather than a road environment. As opposed to last week, I think Arkansas will show up early but fade more and more as the game rolls along. That feels about right. Mississippi State 31, Arkansas 21
9COMMENTS
DANNY WEST | 5-3 overall, 3-5 against the spread
- Stats can be misleading, but sometimes you are what the numbers say you are. The numbers are not kind to Arkansas right now, with the Razorback offense ranking 104th in rushing, 119th in passing efficiency, 125th in red zone offense, and ultimately 106th in scoring offense. But it's not all about the offense; the defense is awful, too. Try on 97th in stopping the run, 112th in pass defense efficiency, and 99th in stopping opponents on third down. Without even looking at Mississippi State's statistics, which aren't much better across the board, it's easy to look at this Arkansas team and automatically predict a loss. Until they change that narrative, how could you possibly trust them at this point? The Bulldogs' offensive line and rushing attack behind Kylin Hill and Garrett Shrader are too much for the Hogs. Mississippi State 37, Arkansas 28
