The Mississippi State Bulldogs’ hopes of topping the SEC West took a huge hit on Saturday, as they lost to division leader Alabama in embarrassing fashion. At the same time, the Bulldogs also saw their four-game win streak end in the Crimson Tide game. There’s still reason to play for Mississippi State, though, as they still remain in the hunt for a more lucrative bowl game. Will the Bulldogs bounce back and beat Arkansas? Or will Bret Bielema’s boys ambush them in Fayetteville?
The Razorbacks are on a roll, winning all of their last four games, including an upset of No. 9 LSU last Saturday.
Read on for more about this showdown. Meanwhile, you can click here for a breakdown of the matchup between Baylor and Oklahoma State.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Preview
Where: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville
When: Saturday, November 21, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Arkansas Razorbacks– view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-2, 3-2 SEC )
[sc:NCAA240banner ]No team faces the Alabama this season and expects to have a walk in the park. The Bulldogs learned that the hard way on Saturday, as they suffered a 31-6 beatdown at the hands of Nick Saban’s bunch at home. Up ahead for Mississippi State is a showdown with the Razorbacks, the Bulldogs’ last regular season game away from Starkville. They are 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 road games.
The Bulldogs’ offense was put in a chokehold in the Alabama game, as evidenced by their season-low scoring output. While Prescott was able to pass for 300 yards, he was unable to hook up with his receivers in the end zone, even passing for one interception. Furthermore, Prescott was taken down nine times by Alabama’s merciless pass rush unit. The backfield, on the other hand, was a real mess, as the Bulldogs rushed for only 89 yards on 42 total carries.
The game against Arkansas, however, should be less of a nightmare for the Bulldogs’ offense. Unlike Alabama, the Razorbacks possess a lousy defense that allows over 400 total yards a game. Prescott can expect a larger breathing room in the pocket, too, in Fayetteville, considering Arkansas’ unimposing pass rush that has the fewest sacks in the SEC.
Expect Prescott to take advantage of Arkansas’ conference-worst defense against the pass, one that surrenders 283.6 yards per contest.
The under is 5-1 in the last six road games of Mississippi State, which is fourth in the conference in scoring defense.
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Betting on the Arkansas Razorbacks (6-4, 3-2 SEC)
With another huge win, Bret Bielema must be itching to get home and be with his wife once again.
A bowl game is definitely in the sights of the Razorbacks after taking down LSU on Saturday, 31-14. It was Arkansas’ third consecutive victory and second straight against a ranked opponent. An opportunity to add another top 25 team to their list of victims lies ahead, as the Razorbacks prepare to take on Mississippi State.
The Razorbacks’ much-maligned defense was, at least for one game, looked decent against LSU. For one, they limited the Tigers to only 271 passing yards, due in large part to a surprising performance from the pass rush unit that sacked LSU quarterback five times. As mentioned, Arkansas isn’t known for its ability to get to quarterbacks, but pushing around LSU’s normally solid offensive line sends a strong message to Prescott’s protection unit. Moreover, Arkansas also held Leo Fournette and LSU’s backfield to only 59 rushing yards. That’s quite an improvement for the Razorbacks’ defense that entered the ball game with an average of 129.44 rushing yards allowed per game.
On offense, expect the Razorbacks to pound the ball often to their backfield. Led by Alex Collins, the Razorbacks were able to rack up 299 yards on the ground against LSU. Collins rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Kody Walker, meanwhile, had 88 yards on 17 carries. Thus far this season, Arkansas is rushing 203.0 yards per contest.
Arkansas is 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Mississippi State wins, 34-27.
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