OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Drew Lock (199-343-10, 3,247 yards, 38 TDs) leads the FBS in TD passes and needs 2 to break school record, three for SEC record of 40 (UK's Andre Woodson, 2007). Lock leads the FBS with 16 completions of 50-plus yards. Second in FBS in yards per completion (16.3), fifth in efficiency (168.3), 11th with 295.2 yards per game. The Tigers are No. 16 in passing (299.5).
Austin Allen (91-158-4, 1,114 yards, 8 TDs) and Cole Kelley (87-151-4, 1,038 yards, 8 TDs) have matching 57.6 percent completions. Allen (128.47) is edging Kelley (127.54) in efficiency. Kelley is back from a one-week suspension but might be third team behind Ty Storey today. Allen struggled in red zone at Missouri last year with 2 INTs. The Razorbacks are No. 90 in passing (195.6).
ADVANTAGE Missouri
Running backs
No Damarea Crockett (shoulder), no problem. Senior Ish Witter (132-822, 4 TDs) and freshman Larry Rountree (97-577, 6) have found lanes in the Spread attack to average 6.2 and 5.9 ypc, respectively. Crockett (Little Rock Christian) (80-481, 2) was at 6.0 ypc. Witter ran for 216 vs. Tennessee. Missouri ranks No. 34 in rushing (195.2).
Senior David Williams (106-581, 6 TDs) is averaging 5.5 ypc, a yard more than sophomore Devwah Whaley (116-504, 6 TDs, 4.3 ypc), who has scored a TD in 5 consecutive games. T.J. Hammonds (31-258, 1, 8.3 ypc) had two big games and now two off games. FBs Hayden Johnson and Kendrick Jackson caught passes last week. Arkansas is No. 60 in rushing (171.2).
ADVANTAGE Even
Receivers/tight ends
J'Mon Moore (50-857, 9 TDs), Jonathan Johnson (37-615, 5) and Emanuel Hall (31-706, 6) lead the Tigers' deep-ball brigade with averages of 16.6 ypc or better, led by Hall's 22.8. TE Albert Okwuegbunam (20-309, 9) is dangerous. Richaud Floyd (14-170, 2) Jason Reese (5-134, 3) and Kendall Blanton (5-115, 1) all factor in.
The questionable status of Jonathan Nance (37-539, 5) will not help the Hogs' recent downturn in deep passing success. Deon Stewart (27-336, 3), Jordan Jones (19-279, 2) and TEs C.J. O'Grady (21-132, 2), Austin Cantrell (13-85) and Jeremy Patton (10-156) will need third-down grabs for Hogs' ball-control game plan to work against explosive Tigers.
ADVANTAGE Missouri
Line
Team captain RT Paul Adams (6-6, 315) anchors a massive unit that averages 6-5, 327 pounds. LT Yasir Durant (6-7, 340) and RG Tre'Vour Simms (6-5, 340) are the biggest boppers. Other projected starters are LG Kevin Pendleton (6-4, 330) and C Trystan Castillo (6-4, 315). Only 2 key contributors are seniors. The Tigers are No. 11 in total offense (494.7) and No. 7 in sacks allowed (0.82)
Season-ending injuries to C Frank Ragnow and RG Ty Clary, followed by dings to LG Hjalte Froholdt (ankle) and C Zach Rogers (leg) led to a makeshift front parts of last week. Froholdt and Rogers are expected back to pair with LT Colton Jackson, RG Johnny Gibson and RT Brian Wallace a 4th straight game. The Hogs are No. 100 in total offense (366.8) and No. 115 in sacks allowed (3.0).
ADVANTAGE Missouri
DEFENSE
Line
Big NT A.J. Logan (5, 2.5 TFL) is back from suspension, helping keep double teams off DT Terry Beckner (33, 9.5 TFL,6 sacks, 3 hurries). The top ends are Marcell Frazier (28, 10, 6, 7), Jordan Harold (26, 4, 1, 2), Tre Williams (14, 4, 3, 4) and Nate Anderson (12, 2, 1). Rashad Brandon (19, 5.5 TFL) and Walter Palmore (13, 2) also play DT. The Tigers are No. 66 in rush defense (166.3).
McTelvin Agim (34, 7.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 3 hurries) forced 2 fumbles, 1 for a TD recovery, last week. T.J. Smith (24, 4, 2), Briston Guidry (18, 2.5 TFL, 2 FR, 2 hurries) and Jake Hall (10, 1 sack, 2 hurries) all play end. Bijhon Jackson (19, 1 sack, 1 hurry), Austin Capps (15, 1.5 sacks) and Jonathan Marshall (6, 2 hurries) play the nose. The Razorbacks are No. 90 in run defense (191.4).
ADVANTAGE Missouri
Linebackers
Cale Garrett (85, 8 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 INT) is the team tackle leader in the middle, backed by Eric Beisel (37). Terez Hall (73, 3 PBU) is 4th in the SEC with 11 TFL. Brandon Lee (34, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 3 PBU) gets SLB reps and Joey Burkett (17, 1 PBU) is a top reserve. The Tigers rank No. 90 in total defense (423.4) and No. 87 in scoring (30.5).
De'Jon Harris (101, 7.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 PBU) and Dre Greenlaw (92, 0.5 TFL, 2 PBU, 2 hurries) are the top tackling duo in the SEC. Grant Morgan (30, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack) had a big game last week. Top OLBs are Randy Ramsey (39, 5.5, 2.0) and Dwayne Eugene (31, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks). Arkansas is No. 84 in total defense (414.8), No. 111 in scoring (35.1).
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Secondary
Riddled early, the Tigers have improved, led by safeties Anthony Sherrils (54, 2.5 TFL, 2 INT, 2 FR), Kaleb Prewitt (50, 3 TFL, 2 PBU, 1 INT) and Thomas Wilson (34, 3 PBU, 1 INT). Top corners are DeMarkus Acy (39, 5 TFL), Adam Sparks (29, 2 PBU, 1 INT) and Logan Cheadle (26, 3 PBU, 1 INT). The Tigers are No. 107 against the pass (257.1) and No. 72 in efficiency.
Arkansas' CBs Henre Toliver (34, 8 PBU, 1 INT), Kamren Curl (44, 8 PBU) and Chevin Calloway (5) and nickel back Kevin Richardson (42, 3 INT, 3 PBU) will be challenged with many deep balls. Safeties Santos Ramirez (61, 2 TFL, 7 PBU, 1 INT), Josh Liddell (39, 1 INT, 1 PBU) and De'Andre Coley (12) have run and pass challenges. The Hogs are No. 73 in pass defense (223.5) and No. 106 in efficiency.
ADVANTAGE Even
Special teams
Ray Guy award semifinalist Corey Fatony is No. 9 with a 45.02 punting average and the Tigers are No. 5 in net punting (42.6). Tucker McCann is 12 of 14 on FGs, including 8 in a row, and 44 of 46 on PATs. He has 38 touchbacks among 68 kickoffs. Richaud Floyd's 19.8 punt return average helps the Tigers rank No. 5. Larry Rountree (23.5) helps the kick return team rank No. 40.
The nation's No. 19 kick returner De'Vion Warren (26.4) is expected back from last week's concussion. Connor Limpert is 7 of 8 on FGs, 27 of 28 on PATs. Limpert has 20 touchbacks on 58 kickoffs and has put 5 out of bounds. Punter Blake Johnson is No. 99 (38.6) and Arkansas is No. 95 in net punting (36.7). Henre Toliver has 3 punt returns for 18 yards.
ADVANTAGE Missouri
Intangibles
Missouri will roll into town cloaked in confidence from its five-game winning streak. The Tigers' downfield passing attack led the big comeback vs. the Hogs last season, so they will also have playmaking confidence today. Missouri might be able to improve its bowl standing and be a more attractive pick by extending its winning streak and winning the Battle Line Trophy again.
The Razorbacks have no bowl hopes, but it is their senior day and the incentive of playing for Coach Bret Bielema, the coaching staff and the seniors should be strong. Home crowds have not been good since the loss to Auburn, so that could be an issue. Last chance for the Hogs to snag a rivalry game trophy for the first time since beating Missouri here on a wet, cold Black Friday in 2015.
Even
Sports on 11/24/2017