There won’t be any mirrors at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium on Saturday, but both Mississippi State and Arkansas will look across the field and see a team that has experienced the same misery and mayhem to match their own respective SEC journeys thus far.

The Bulldogs (4-4, 0-4 SEC) lost heartbreakingly yet again last week, seeing a 17-point lead dissolve in roughly 10 minutes in the fourth quarter against Texas. Head coach Jeff Lebby, still looking for his first SEC win and the program’s first SEC win since 2023, leads his team into hostile territory again this week, facing a team that knows all too well what the Bulldogs have experienced this season.

Arkansas (2-6, 0-4 SEC) has struggled despite its high-scoring offense, which is loaded with playmakers. The start to the season was so poor that head coach Sam Pittman was dismissed midseason, and the keys to the motorcycle were handed to former head coach Bobby Petrino.

The Razorbacks are led by one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football, Taylen Green, and average 490.9 yards of offense per game. They also have one of the best rushing attacks in FBS this season, averaging more than 200 yards per game on the ground, but have been plagued by turnovers in key moments. Eight interceptions and nine fumbles, with seven lost, have made for some heartbreaking losses, akin to what MSU is experiencing this season.

Here’s how to watch and what to watch for in the matchup.

What: Mississippi State at Arkansas

When: 3 p.m. Saturday

Where: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark.

TV: SEC Network

Betting line: Arkansas by 4.5, over/under at 67.5.

Weather: Cloudy and chilly, highs in the low 50s. 96% cloud cover with light winds, and gusts up to 22 mph expected, per AccuWeather.

Records/rankings: The Bulldogs are 4-4 and unranked after four straight losses to start SEC play. Arkansas is 2-6, 0-4 in SEC play.

Series history: The Razorbacks own the all-time series 19-14-1, and won last year’s meeting in Starkville 58-25 with a prolific offensive performance.

MSU’s most recent SEC win came against Arkansas the year prior, a 7-3 win on the road in 2023. MSU is 5-10-1 all-time in Fayetteville.

Mississippi State update: The Bulldogs may finally see the return of running back Fluff Bothwell, who was listed as questionable on the SEC student athlete availability report last week. Bothwell was changed to a game-time decision and went through pregame warmups, but ultimately did not play against Texas. He is listed as probable on the initial report this week.

Defensive back Jett Jefferson was a late scratch against the Longhorns and was also listed as probable on the Wednesday report.

Right tackle Albert Reese IV, an anchor on the offensive line for MSU, was listed as questionable.

Arkansas update: The Razorbacks have two players listed as questionable on the latest SEC availability report, offensive linemen Caden Kitler and E’Marion Harris. The pair have started all eight games for the Razorbacks so far this season.

The offensive line unit has held up well enough for the Razorbacks to pile up yards and points this season, and MSU has had to piece together a pass rush with a rotating cast of edge players and linebackers. The absence of two starters could be a potential blow, but Green’s ability to bail out of the pocket and make quick decisions as both a runner and passer may be more impacted by a knock he took to the knee against Texas A&M. He was off his game with interceptions, and rushed for only 14 yards against Auburn after the hit. However, interim head coach Bobby Petrino said that Green was practicing at full speed again this week, meaning the player who tormented the Bulldogs last season may be back to his best again this Saturday.

Arkansas players to watch: QB Taylen Green, RB Mike Washington Jr., WR O’Mega Blake, TE Rohan Jones, DL Quincy Rhodes Jr., LB Xavian Sorey Jr., LB Stephen Dix Jr.

Prediction: These are two teams capable of scoring a lot of points, and two teams with prolific passing attacks. Green had a bad outing against Auburn last week, tossing three interceptions to the Tigers, and if he is careless with the ball again the Bulldogs can make him pay. Kelley Jones and Brylan Lanier lead a Bulldog defense with a total of 11 picks this season.

This one is a high-scoring affair that comes down to those kinds of mistakes, and the Bulldog defense becomes the difference to get the Bulldogs their first SEC win of the season in the same place they got their last one.   

Mississippi State 44, Arkansas 38.