Mississippi State is back from the bye week and back on the road this weekend as the Bulldogs (3-3, 0-3 Southeastern Conference) take on Arkansas (2-5, 0-4) in Fayetteville for an 11 a.m. kickoff Saturday on ESPN.

The Razorbacks have lost five straight games, but have not played at home since Sept. 16 and have taken three ranked opponents — LSU, Ole Miss and Alabama — down to the wire on the road, losing those three games by a combined 13 points. MSU handled Arkansas with ease last year in Starkville, 40-17, but the Razorbacks are seven-point favorites in this one.

To learn more about this Arkansas team, The Commercial Dispatch chatted with Jackson Fuller, who covers the Razorbacks for the Southwest Times Record.

Editor’s note: This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

 

The Commercial Dispatch: What are the main things you’ve learned about this Arkansas team now that we’re more than halfway through the season?

Jackson Fuller: Things have completely flipped from last year. In 2022, Arkansas had an electric offense and a leaky defense. This season, the Razorbacks can’t find any success running the football and are having trouble consistently protecting their quarterback. Meanwhile, the defense has been a bright spot and really turned a corner ever since halftime of the Texas A&M game. Coaches and players are optimistic the offense will find a groove now against the weaker part of its SEC schedule, but fans are not convinced. There is a lot of pressure on the Razorbacks this week. It’s a must-win game for Sam Pittman and the program to show there is life within the team, despite the bad start against the top teams in the division.

 

The Dispatch: What does quarterback KJ Jefferson bring to the table that makes him so tough to defend?

Fuller: Every game, Jefferson will make at least one play that you just hardly ever see from a quarterback. He is strong and adept at breaking tackles and avoiding sacks that look inevitable. He’s a fearless competitor who Arkansas trusts. His passing and running haven’t been as proficient this season, but that comes down to the weapons around him and the offensive line protecting him. We’re still waiting for that signature play to turn into a signature game this season.

 

The Dispatch: Jefferson aside, what will be the biggest challenges Mississippi State’s defense will face on Saturday?

Fuller: To be honest, Mississippi State doesn’t have much to fear outside of Jefferson based off the Razorbacks’ last four games. Running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders is out and has struggled all season. The other running backs aren’t as explosive, and the receivers are good but not the types of threats Arkansas has had in years past. If there’s two players to keep an eye on, they are wide receiver Andrew Armstrong and tight end Ty Wasghington.

 

The Dispatch: What do you make of the Razorbacks’ defense so far, and what does it need to do to slow down the Bulldogs’ offense?

Fuller: The defense has taken a tremendous step forward since last year. The biggest key to success for that group is the defensive line. If they can get after the Mississippi State quarterback and make life easier on the Arkansas secondary, it will be difficult for the Bulldogs to find much success. Defensive ends Trajan Jeffcoat and Landon Jackson are the best players on this side of the ball for Arkansas and should be the focal points for Mississippi State.

 

The Dispatch: Arkansas will win if…

Fuller: Arkansas will win if it can make life a little easier for Jefferson. Run the ball. Protect him better. Score a defensive touchdown. Create space for the receivers. It has felt like a one-man show at times offensively. The Razorbacks must lift some weight off their star quarterback’s shoulders, and that starts with some sort of running game.

 

The Dispatch: Arkansas will lose if…

Fuller: Arkansas will lose if it gets beat at the line of scrimmage. Can the Razorbacks get after the Mississippi State quarterback and protect their own? If the answer to both of those questions is no, then this losing streak will reach six games.