Mississippi State (1-6, 0-4 Southeastern Conference) hosts Arkansas (4-3, 2-2) on Saturday for an 11:45 a.m. kickoff on SEC Network. Here’s who has the edge at each position between the Bulldogs and the Razorbacks.
Quarterback
MSU freshman Michael Van Buren has kept improving week to week, though Texas A&M had him under pressure for much of the game last Saturday. Still, he threw three more touchdown passes and shook off a bad interception late in the first half. Taylen Green is a dual threat who has four rushing touchdowns on the year, but he has been turnover-prone, with an even touchdown-to-interception ratio of six each. His completion percentage has improved in recent weeks against two top-10 teams.
Edge: Mississippi State
Running back
Davon Booth had his best game as a Bulldog last week, breaking off a 40-yard run early and capping the opening drive with a receiving touchdown. Johnnie Daniels took a bit of a step back, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry and losing yardage on a few key plays. Arkansas has one of the SEC’s better backs in Ja’Quinden Jackson, but he is doubtful to play Saturday with an ankle injury he sustained last week against LSU. Another running back, Rodney Hill, is questionable for the Razorbacks, so they may be left with freshman Braylen Russell to carry the load.
Edge: Arkansas (if Jackson plays)
Wide receiver/tight end
MSU may be without a key piece here as freshman Mario Craver sustained a lower-body injury in last week’s game and is listed as questionable. Craver is the Bulldogs’ top deep threat, but Kevin Coleman is their best receiver overall and one of the best in the SEC, and Kelly Akharaiyi has also come on strong lately. Arkansas also has one of the conference’s top wideouts in Andrew Armstrong, as well as Isaiah Sategna and deep threat Isaac TeSlaa. Armstrong had nine catches for 132 yards in the Razorbacks’ upset of Tennessee.
Edge: Arkansas
Offensive line
Freshman Luke Work started MSU’s last two games at left tackle in place of Makylan Pounders, but after a better showing against Georgia, the Bulldogs did not protect Van Buren well against Texas A&M. MSU had 11 plays go for negative yardage against the Aggies, including three sacks. Like Jeff Lebby, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman has an offensive line background, and like Van Buren, Green has also been under pressure too often this season. Bulldogs offensive line coach Cody Kennedy was in the same role with the Razorbacks from 2021-23.
Edge: Even
Defensive line
MSU has been ravaged by injuries here, with Kalvin Dinkins and Kedrick Bingley-Jones out and Trevion Williams and De’Monte Russell both questionable for Saturday. Even when healthy, the Bulldogs have struggled to generate pressure and get into the backfield against the run and the pass. Arkansas is led by veterans Landon Jackson and Eric Gregory, who each have 2.5 sacks and are surely licking their chops to face a team with a freshman quarterback and an offensive line that has left much to be desired in pass protection.
Edge: Arkansas
Linebackers
Zakari Tillman gave the Bulldogs their biggest play from this unit last week with an interception on the first play of the fourth quarter, but he too is questionable to play against the Razorbacks. Stone Blanton, Nic Mitchell and Branden Jennings have provided adequate production. Xavian Sorey Jr. leads Arkansas in tackles, while Stephen Dix Jr. and Brad Spence battle for the other starting spot in the Razorbacks’ 4-2-5 defense.
Edge: Even
Secondary
Hunter Washington became the first MSU safety to intercept a pass this season in the Texas A&M game, and Isaac Smith continues to rack up tackles after moving to the star position. Having DeAgo Brumfield back has made a difference at corner as well. Arkansas’ TJ Metcalf is among the SEC interception leaders, and Doneiko Slaughter, Jayden Johnson and Marquise Robinson round out a very good coverage unit.
Edge: Arkansas
Special teams
The Bulldogs’ Kyle Ferrie has not missed a field goal or extra point in his last five games, and Nick Barr-Mira continues to put in good work on punts. Return opportunities have been few and far between, but Coleman has the speed and agility to break a big one. Razorbacks kicker Kyle Ramsey, who is just 7-for-12 on field goals this year, is out Saturday, so Matthew Shipley, who is 2-for-3 with a long of 51, will take his place. Setegna is excellent in the return game, and Devin Bale has an impressive 48.5-yard punting average with a long of 66.
Edge: Mississippi State
Starters
Mississippi State
Offense
QB 0 Michael Van Buren Fr.
RB 21 Davon Booth Sr. OR 20 Johnnie Daniels Jr.
WR 3 Kevin Coleman Jr.
WR 6 Jordan Mosley Jr.
WR 7 Mario Craver Fr. OR 1 Kelly Akharaiyi Sr.
TE 18 Seydou Traore R-Jr. OR 84 Justin Ball Sr.
LT 66 Makylan Pounders Jr.
LG 75 Jacoby Jackson Jr.
C 67 Ethan Miner Sr.
RG 77 Marlon Martinez Sr.
RT 76 Albert Reese IV Jr.
Defense
DT 23 Trevion Williams R-Fr.
DT 8 Sulaiman Kpaka Sr. OR 90 Kai McClendon Fr.
DE 9 De’Monte Russell Sr. OR 91 Deonte Anderson Jr.
JACK 11 Ty Cooper Jr. OR 44 Branden Jennings Jr.
MLB 7 Stone Blanton Jr.
DIME 40 Nic Mitchell Jr. OR 5 John Lewis Jr.
STAR 2 Isaac Smith So.
FS 10 Corey Ellington Sr.
SS 21 Hunter Washington Jr.
CB 3 Brylan Lanier Jr.
CB 14 Brice Pollock So.
Specialists
K 80 Kyle Ferrie So.
P 82 Nick Barr-Mira Sr.
Arkansas
Offense
QB 10 Taylen Green R-Jr.
RB 22 Ja’Quinden Jackson R-Sr. OR 0 Braylen Russell Fr.
WR 2 Andrew Armstrong R-Sr.
WR 6 Isaiah Setegna R-So.
WR 5 Tyrone Borden R-Sr.
TE 9 Luke Hasz So.
LT 55 Fernando Carmona R-Jr.
LG 54 Keyshawn Blackstock R-Jr.
C 63 Addison Nichols R-So.
RG 72 Joshua Braun R-Sr.
RT 76 E’Marion Harris R-So.
Defense
DE 40 Landon Jackson Sr.
DT 5 Cam Ball R-Jr.
DT 50 Eric Gregory R-Sr.
DE 0 Nico Davillier Jr. OR 4 Anton Juncaj Sr.
LB 14 Stephen Dix R-Sr. OR 22 Brad Spence So.
LB 10 Xavian Sorey R-Jr.
CB 13 Marquise Robinson Sr.
S 18 TJ Metcalf So.
S 8 Jayden Johnson Sr.
CB 15 Jaheim Singletary R-So. OR 1 Kee’yon Stewart R-Sr.
NB 3 Doneiko Slaughter Sr.
Specialists
K 36 Matthew Shipley Sr.
P 37 Devin Bale R-Jr.
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