MATCHUPS
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Nick Fitzgerald (146-258-10, 1617 yards, 13 TDs) joins Heisman winner Lamar Jackson as the only FBS QBs with 1,600 passing yards and 800 rushing yards. Responsible for 26 of 36 TDs (72.2 percent). Completing 56.6 percent of his passes. Ranks No. 41 in the FBS in total offense (248.4). Contender for every college QB award. MSU is No. 109 in passing (168.3), No. 108 in efficiency.
Austin Allen (79-140-4, 990 yards, 8 TDs) was rusty last week at LSU after a 4-week layoff because of an ailing shoulder. Allen's 128.97 efficiency rating would rank No. 62 if he qualified. Cole Kelley (87-151-4, 1038 yards, 8 TDs) is suspended this week, making Ty Storey the top reserve and Jack Lindsey the No. 3. The Hogs are No. 84 in passing (202.8) and No. 76 in efficiency.
ADVANTAGE Mississippi State
Running backs
Aeris Williams has 873 rushing yards on 185 carries and has outrushed Nick Fitzgerald (13 rushing TDs), which the Bulldogs' backs did not do last year. The 5-11, 220-pound Williams averages 4.7 ypc and has scored 4 rushing TDs. Kylin Hill (54-267, 1) and Nick Gibson (38-231, 1) average 4.9 and 6.1 ypc, respectively. The Bulldogs rank No. 13 in rushing (250.6).
It looks like David Williams (98-506, 5 TDs) and Devwah Whaley (104-483, 5) will take their competition for the team lead in rushing yards and TDs down to the wire. Williams averages 5.2 ypc to Whaley's 4.6. Whaley has scored a TD in four consecutive games. T.J. Hammonds (28-259, 1, 9.2 ypc) had no yards on 3 carries at LSU after a breakout game. Arkansas is No. 53 in rushing (178.6).
ADVANTAGE Even
Receivers/tight ends
Injuries have contributed to the Bulldogs going heavy on a short-pass attack to balance their strong run game. Donald Gray (24-214, 3 TDs) is questionable. Jesse Jackson (20-174), Keith Mixon (18-275, 1), Deddrick Thomas (15-195, 2), and TEs Jordan Thomas (15-149, 3) and Farrod Green (9-174) are top targets. Only Mixon (15.3) and Green (19.3) average more than 13 ypc.
The Hogs want to recommit to their deep game and talent such as Jonathan Nance (36-517, 5), Deon Stewart (25-297, 3) and Jordan Jones (17-259, 2). TEs Cheyenne O'Grady (20-138, 2) and Austin Cantrell (13-85) have minor injuries but should play. Jeremy Patton (9-146) is coming off a breakout game at LSU. TE Will Gragg (5-61), Brandon Martin (7-76) and La'Michael Pettway (5-64) contribute.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Line
Of the five starters, only LT Martinas Rankin has missed a start for the Bulldogs. LG Darryl Williams, C Elgton Jenkins, RG Deion Calhoun and RT Stewart Reese, a 6-5, 333-pound redshirt freshman, have started all 10 games. Rankin missed four games before returning last week vs. Alabama. The Bulldogs are No. 50 in total offense (418.9) and No. 2 in sacks allowed (0.6).
Top Arkansas OG Hjalte Froholdt is probable (ankle) and OG Ty Clary (knee) is out. The combination of LT Colton Jackson, LG Froholdt, C Zach Rogers, RG Johnny Gibson and RT Brian Wallace have started the past 3 games since C Frank Ragnow's ankle injury. The Hogs allowed one sack at LSU and are No. 111 in sacks allowed (2.9) and 87 in total offense (381.4).
ADVANTAGE Mississippi State
DEFENSE
Line
The Bulldogs run a base 3-4, led by NG Jeffery Simmons (50, 8.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 4 hurries, 2 FF), who has been more active than DTs Braxton Hoyett (13, 1.5 TFL, 4 hurries) and Cory Thomas (7, 1 PBU). The top ends are Fletcher Adams (17, 3 TFL, 1 PBU, 1 FF) and Kobe Jones (16, 3.5 TFL, 1 FF). Mississippi State is No. 32 in rushing defense (131.9).
Arkansas ends McTelvin Agim (25, 5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 3 hurries) and T.J. Smith (22, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 hurries) have combined for 3.5 sacks. Bijhon Jackson (17, 1 sack, 1 hurry), Austin Capps (14, 1.5 sacks) and Jonathan Marshall (5, 2 hurries) play NG. Briston Guidry (13, 2.5 TFL, 1 FR, 1 FF) and Jake Hall (10, 1 sack, 2 hurries) are top backup DEs. Hogs are No. 92 in run defense (191.0).
ADVANTAGE Mississippi State
Linebackers
MLB Dez Harris (56, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 hurries) is questionable. OLB Montez Sweat (36, 9 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 4 hurries, 1 FR), a hybrid 6-6, 240-pounder, is the team sack leader. Leo Lewis (39, 1 PBU) and Erroll Thompson (36, 2.5 TFL) play inside, Gerri Green (30, 8 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 4 hurries) and Marquiss Spencer (16, 2.5 TFL) outside. The Dogs are No. 11 in total defense (304.8), No. 18 in scoring (19.3).
De'Jon Harris (93, 7.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 PBU) is one of the SEC's top linebackers. Dre Greenlaw (82, 2 PBU, 2 hurries) has bounced back from foot problems. Top OLBs are Randy Ramsey (32, 5 TFL, 2 sacks) and Dwayne Eugene (31, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks). Grant Morgan (26, 2 PBU) and Karl Roesler (3) are reserves. The Hogs are No. 90 in total defense (421.5) and No. 112 in scoring (35.8).
ADVANTAGE Mississippi State
Secondary
The Bulldogs roll with about 7 DBs, led by active safeties Mark McLaurin (60, 2 TFL, 2 INT, 5 PBU), Jonathan Abram (49, 2 TFL, 3 PBU) and Brandon Bryant (31, 1 INT, 2 PBU). Top corners are Jamal Peters (19, 1 INT, 1 PBU), Tolando Cleveland (14, 1 PBU), Chris Rayford (8, 1 TFL) and Lashard Durr (6, 1 INT, 3 PBU). Mississippi State is No. 9 in pass defense (172.9) and No. 33 in pass efficiency.
Hogs cornerbacks Henre Toliver (31, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 8 PBU) and Kamren Curl (38, 7 PBU) have been targeted and beaten with more frequency the last few weeks. Safeties Santos Ramirez (59, 2 TFL, 1 INT, 7 PBU, 3 FF), Josh Liddell (38, 1 INT, 1 PBU) and De'Andre Coley (6) are all lighter than MSU QB Nick Fitzgerald. The Hogs are No. 73 in pass defense (230.5) and No. 103 in efficiency.
ADVANTAGE Mississippi State
Special teams
Jace Christmann is perfect on kicks -- 9 of 9 on FGs with a long of 45, and 32 of 32 on PATs -- after taking over in Week 3. Logan Cooke is No. 22 in punting (44.0), and the Bulldogs are No. 25 in net punting (40.1). Deddrick Thomas averages 17.3 yards on punt returns and has an 83-yard TD. The Bulldogs are No. 39 in kickoff returns (22.6). Jeffery Simmons has blocked 2 kicks.
De'Vion Warren has been a spark on kickoff returns, ranking No. 17 in the FBS with a 26.6-yard average. The Hogs are No. 49 overall in kickoff returns (21.95). Connor Limpert is 7 of 8 on FGs, 24 of 25 on PATs and has 20 touchbacks on 54 kickoffs. Arkansas has dropped to No. 94 in net punting (36.65) and Blake Johnson is No. 98 (38.9).
ADVANTAGE Mississippi State
Intangibles
Mississippi State just gave Alabama its toughest run of the year, but can the Bulldogs transfer the performance into a hostile environment after the heartbreak of the failed upset bid? Dan Mullen has led the Bulldogs to victories in Arkansas in their past two visits after the program had been 0-9-1 in games against the Hogs in the state.
Can the Razorbacks attract a bigger, more vocal crowd at Reynolds Razorback Stadium after a disappointing draw in an unexpected nail-biter against Coastal Carolina on homecoming? The idea of playing for Coach Bret Bielema should be an incentive for the Razorbacks, who are 6-7 in SEC home games under Bielema.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Sports on 11/18/2017