Mississippi State takes on Arkansas in Fayetteville this Saturday. Here’s a look at who has the edge at each position.
Quarterback
It’s difficult to go the other way after the production that Blake Shapen has had recently, but the Razorbacks have one of the most dynamic players at the position in the SEC with Taylen Green.
Green has thrown for at least 200 yards in every game this season, and has 603 rushing yards to his name as well, making him the team’s second-leading rusher.
Green had a rough outing against Auburn last week, throwing three interceptions, but has produced at a high level even with his turnovers.
MSU head coach Jeff Lebby said on Monday that Green is “elite” in everything he does, and his dynamism could be a huge problem for the Bulldog defense on Saturday.
Edge: Arkansas
Running back
This is a more difficult one to decide, given Fluff Bothwell’s ankle injury. The running back went through pregame warm-ups on Saturday ahead of Texas, but Lebby said he just wasn’t ready.
Even if Fluff can’t make his return, the Bulldogs have more than enough talent in the backfield to make things happen on the ground. Davon Booth has been excellent as the lead back in the last two games, and has continued to pose a threat in the passing game out of the backfield as well.
Arkansas has a good lead back in Mike Washington Jr., who has three games over the century mark this season and an average of 6.6 yards per carry, and the presence of Green as a runner makes reading option plays all the more difficult.
The Razorbacks are one of 26 FBS teams to average more than 200 rushing yards per game, but as a specific position group, this one leans slightly toward the Bulldogs, especially if Fluff makes his return.
Edge: Mississippi State
Wide receiver/tight end
MSU has a slight edge in this group as well.
Brenen Thompson has been a revelatory addition through the transfer portal at wide receiver, proving he is much more than a speedster who runs vertical routes. Anthony Evans has done a similar job, and together the pair have proven difficult to contain whether it’s deep or over the middle. They create separation wherever they go, and they’ve had the hands to match as well.
The Razorbacks aren’t lacking for talent at receiver either, and have an impressive top option in O’Mega Blake. He leads the team with 643 yards and four touchdowns, followed by tight end Rohan Jones who has an equally cool given name and a whopping 34 average yards per catch.
If the game does turn into a high-scoring affair, expect to see the names from these groups mentioned as culprits.
Edge: Mississippi State
Offensive line
Neither team has the most elite offensive line unit, but both have been serviceable enough to support prolific offenses.
Protecting the quarterback has been a struggle for both units, particularly against SEC opposition, but there is a notable gap there. Green has been sacked 17 times while Blake Shapen has been taken down 27 times.
On top of the protection numbers, the Razorback unit supports one of the best rushing attacks in FBS. The Bulldogs, even with strong running back numbers, have had notable struggles in short-yardage situations.
Slight edge to the hosts.
Edge: Arkansas
Defensive line
Arkansas may have some hogs up front on offense, but the defensive line ranks towards the bottom of FBS in defending the run. They allow nearly 200 yards per game and 4.94 yards per carry.
In terms of rushing the passer, the Razorbacks have 14 sacks as a team, with Quincy Rhodes Jr. providing seven of those.
The Bulldogs don’t have an elite defensive line either, but have a much more productive group, especially in the ground game. After being one of the worst at stopping the run in 2024, the Bulldogs are pretty firmly middle of the pack. Teams have gotten plenty of yards against them, an average of 4.18 per carry and 152.5 per game.
Pass rush has been an issue without Will Whitson, but the Bulldogs have 13 players with at least half a sack, and have been able to dial up pressure from different positions.
Edge: Mississippi State
Linebackers
This one is a little less clear.
Arkansas and Mississippi State both have solid linebacker groups with standout. tacklers. For the Razorbacks, it’s Xavian Sorey Jr. and Stephen Dix Jr., who lead the team with 59 tackles each. The Bulldogs have Nic Mitchell with 43 tackles.
The MSU safety group factors in here, partly due to structure and an effort to get them involved in the running game, and Isaac Smith’s effectiveness as a run defender has seen him move into the linebacking group this season. Zakari Tillman and Derion Gullette have emerged as key players, too, and have been solid pass rushers as well as run-stoppers.
Edge: Even
Secondary
This one goes to MSU.
The big plays in the fourth quarter exploited the weak parts of the MSU secondary, but there is plenty of strength in depth and experience for the Bulldogs defending on the back end.
Kelley Jones has emerged as one of the best coverage corners in FBS, and added another interception and a pair of pass breakups to his season statsheet against the Longhorns.
Behind Jones, a safety committee of Jahron Manning, Brylan Lanier, Isaac Smith and Hunter Washington has helped to fill gaps in the running game, break up downfield shots, and help corners with slot and tight-end routes.
The Razorbacks have a couple of playmakers on the back end, but just four interceptions among defensive backs and more than 240 passing yards per game makes them one of the teams at the bottom end of defending the pass in FBS this season.
Edge: Mississippi State
Special teams
The Bulldogs have had a reliable kicking game this season, with Kyle Ferrie 8-11 on field goal attempts, 2-2 beyond 50 yards, and Ethan Pulliam emerging as one of the best punters in the country. A coverage lapse led to the game-tying touchdown late against Texas last week, but as a unit, MSU’s special teams has had a decent year.
Arkansas has had a similarly reliable kicker in Scott Starzyk, but notably has a strong kickoff return game with an average of 23 yards per return.
Edge: Even
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