It’s time for some SEC action when the Arkansas Razorbacks make their way to No. 18 Ole Miss. The Rebels stumbled a couple of times this season, losing to Alabama and Memphis. But they rebounded nicely with wins over Texas A&M and Auburn. They’ll also have revenge on their minds considering Arkansas blew them out of the water in a 30-0 beating last season.
The Razorbacks had a rough start this year, but are coming into this matchup hot on the heels of back-to-back wins, including a quadruple overtime victory over Auburn 54-46. Speaking of Auburn, check out our complete preview for Auburn vs. Texas A&M in another SEC clash. Can’t get this conference out of your head? Read our breakdown of the monster clash between No. 4 LSU and No. 7 Alabama.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Ole Miss Rebels Preview
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford
When: Saturday, November 7, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Arkansas Razorbacks (+11) at Ole Miss Rebels (-11); total 55.5 – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Arkansas Razorbacks (4-4, 2-2 SEC)
After a loss against Alabama, the Arkansas Razorbacks got back on the win column with back-to-back wins heading into this matchup. Most recently, the Razorbacks put a 63-28 smack down on the Tennessee-Matrin Skyhawks on Saturday.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Quarterback Brandon Allen was sharp, passing for 265 yards and two touchdowns. But running back Alex Collins takes the cake, scoring on runs of two, six, five, three and 63 yards. Collins finished with 173 yards on just 16 carries, including the five scores. He’ll have his work cut out for him against a solid Ole Miss defense, which has allowed just 3.1 yards per carry this season. The Rebels have allowed just four total rushing scores this year.
If Collins can’t get going, then the Razorbacks can turn on their quarterback to provide some big plays against a patchy Ole Miss pass defense. The Rebels are allowing 226.8 yards passing per game, 99th in the nation this season. Allen has showed some big play abilities the past two weeks; he threw touchdown passes of 49 and 71 yards against Tennessee-Martin after racking up three touchdown passes in a quadruple overtime win over Auburn.
If the Razorbacks are to come away with the upset, then they’ll need their defense to step up big tme. After racking up 24 sacks last season, Arkansas is way off the mark this year with defensive linemen Tevin Beanum and Mitchell Loewen leading the team with just 1.5 sacks each. They could add to their sack totals against Ole Miss. The Rebels are allowing a little over a sack (1.7) per game this year.
The Razorbacks are 3-1 SU/ATS in their last four games.
Betting on the Ole Miss Rebels (7-2, 4-1 SEC)
After a surprising loss at Memphis in Week 7, the Ole Miss Rebels righted the ship with back-to-back victories over Texas A&M and Auburn heading into this matchup. The return of key players in left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who was suspended for the first seven games of the season, and defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche helped the Rebels win the battle of the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Chad Kelly has been pretty solid this season, leading the SEC with 2,856 yards passing and 20 touchdowns. But he’s also been a turnover machine with seven interceptions over his last three games. The return of Tunsil could help buy him more time to look for open receivers, rather than hurling interceptions due to being under duress. Kelly has an SEC-high 12 interceptions this year.
Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell is easily Kelly’s favorite target with team-highs of 61 catches, 870 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Quincy Adeboyejo also gives his quarterback a scoring threat tying Treadwell for a team-high six receiving scores.
Kelly and his receiving corps could be up for an enormous game against Arkansas’ SEC-worst passing defense. The Razorbacks are allowing 273 yards passing per game this season. But they have limited the damage by allowing only eight touchdowns this season, fifth in the conference.
On the other side of the ball, the Rebels will be hoping to create some takeaways against Brandon Allen. Arkansas’ quarterback has thrown an interception in five of his last seven games, which will have Ole Miss’ defense licking its chops. The Rebels are tied with Alabama for a conference-high 12 interceptions this season, including three pick-sixes.
Two of the Rebels’ pick-sixes are courtesy of safety Trae Elston, who could sit deep downfield to keep tabs on Arkansas’ No. 1 receiver Drew Morgan, who has caught six touchdowns this year.
The Rebels have won seven straight at home dating back to last season, going 5-2 ATS.
Writer’s Prediction
Ole Miss blows out the Razorbacks, covering -11. Create a betting account now and cash in on some college football action while it lasts.
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