Mississippi State (3-3, 0-3 Southeastern Conference) visits Arkansas (2-5, 0-4) at 11 a.m. Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Here’s who has the edge at each position between the Bulldogs and the Razorbacks.
Quarterback
This is one of many areas of uncertainty for MSU as Will Rogers sustained a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury in the fourth quarter against Western Michigan, and the coaching staff has provided few definitive updates on his status. Vanderbilt transfer Mike Wright will start if Rogers is unable to. Neither is as dynamic as Arkansas’ KJ Jefferson, who is not on pace to match his 2022 numbers but seldom makes it through a full game without a highlight-reel play. Jefferson’s 6-foot-3, 247-pound frame helps him escape pressure and take on defenders on the run.
Edge: Arkansas
Running back
Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks left the Bulldogs’ win over Western Michigan in the first half after twisting his leg, and Jeffery Pittman also missed that game. MSU does have reinforcements, with freshman Seth Davis scoring his first collegiate touchdown and Penn State transfer Keyvone Lee enjoying his best game in a Bulldogs uniform. The Razorbacks will be without superstar Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, who had a monster 2022 season, and their depth behind him is thin. AJ Green, though, is averaging an efficient 6.3 yards per carry.
Edge: Mississippi State
Wide receiver/tight end
MSU’s depth at receiver was one of the biggest positive takeaways from the Western Michigan game, with Freddie Roberson and Jordan Mosley each recording his first touchdown catch in the maroon and white. Justin Robinson has missed the last two games due to injury, but Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin is still the Bulldogs’ first option. Andrew Armstrong is Arkansas’ leading receiver with 39 catches for 485 yards and four touchdowns, and tight end Luke Hasz is a far more adept pass-catcher than anyone on MSU’s roster.
Edge: Even
Offensive line
The Bulldogs have found consistency in the interior with Nick Jones at left guard, Cole Smith at center and Steven Losoya III at right guard, with Kwatrivous Johnson, Percy Lewis and Kameron Jones rotating in the tackle spots. It’s a group that has been particularly strong in run blocking and has shown signs of improvement in pass protection. The Razorbacks cannot say the same — they are averaging less than three yards per rushing attempt for the season and have allowed 4.3 sacks per game, tied for sixth-most among 133 Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
Edge: Mississippi State
Defensive line
MSU struggled mightily to bring pressure against Western Michigan, even when it blitzed. Nathan Pickering and Jaden Crumedy have done well as run-stoppers, and Deonte Anderson has come a long way, but this is still a banged-up group that has yet to find much consistency. Arkansas’ Landon Jackson had 3.5 sacks last week against Alabama, and Trajan Jeffcoat and Cameron Ball help make the Razorbacks’ front one of the most dangerous in the SEC.
Edge: Arkansas
Linebackers
Everything the Bulldogs do defensively runs through the veteran duo of Jett Johnson and Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson, who lead the team in sacks and are two of the SEC’s top three tacklers. MSU has struggled to find the right combination to play alongside them, rotating through DeShawn Page, JP Purvis, John Lewis and Donterry Russell. Arkansas’ Jaheim Thomas leads the conference in tackles, but the rest of the unit has been nothing special. Antonio Grier and Brad Spence have each taken an interception back for a touchdown.
Edge: Mississippi State
Secondary
This is still the Bulldogs’ most glaring weakness, as they do not have the speed to keep up with most of the SEC’s best receivers. MSU has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete more than 77% of their passes, the second-highest rate in the country. Safety Shawn Preston Jr. (3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions) has been the biggest bright spot. The Razorbacks’ seven interceptions as a team are tied for third in the SEC, with Lorando Johnson their best cover corner and Jayden Johnson their top safety.
Edge: Arkansas
Special teams
MSU freshman kicker Kyle Ferrie left the Bulldogs’ last game after a Western Michigan player ran into his kicking leg, but UCLA transfer Nick Barr-Mira replaced him and helped ice the win with a 49-yard field goal. Griffin and Zavion Thomas are also two of the best return men in the nation. Arkansas kicker Cam Little is 11-for-12 on field goals this season, including four from 50-plus yards with a long of 56.
Edge: Even
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