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Arkansas vs. Mississippi State prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the SEC West matchup between the Razorbacks and Bulldogs.

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Arkansas vs. Mississippi State Game Preview

When: Saturday, November 19 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
TV Broadcast: ESPNU

Both Arkansas and Mississippi State will have to rebound from big losses as they battle in Starkville this Saturday. Arkansas was pounded mercilessly on the ground by LSU in a 38-10 loss while the Bulldogs were romped over by Alabama, 51-3, in a game that saw almost nothing go well for Dan Mullen’s team.

What To Know About Arkansas

Which Arkansas team shows up: the one that drilled Florida or the one that got humiliated by Auburn and LSU? The Razorbacks offense wasn’t able to get anything going against LSU in the loss this past Saturday, gaining only 291 total yards with quarterback Austin Allen throwing for 210 yards and a touchdown but also two interceptions. The ground game must be better, and it starts with Rawleigh Williams III.

The Hogs defense has been awful against the ground game lately, including giving up 390 yards on the ground to LSU. They will have to keep contain on Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who has developed into a dangerous threat on the ground and through the air.

What to Know About Mississippi State

Forget the bad day Fitzgerald and the offense had against Alabama. That will happen to a lot of teams. Fitzgerald has played well this season at times, and against an Arkansas defense that has had trouble stopping the run, look for him to have a big game on the ground. Running back Aeris Williams could also provide problems for the Hogs.

Keeping Williams III from getting going and making the Razorbacks one dimensional on offense would be ideal for Mississippi State. Allen is prone to mistakes when facing pressure.

Advantages

Offense: Tie. Both units are at their best when they achieve balance.

Defense: Tie. The two defenses give up a lot of yards, with Arkansas ranking No. 77 and Mississippi State No. 84 in the nation in yards allowed per game.

Special Teams: Arkansas. Punter Toby Baker averages 44.51 yards per punt.

Coaching: Arkansas. In such a tough division, will Bret Bielema ever get the Hogs to an SEC Championship game?

Intangibles: Mississippi State. I wonder how Bielema feels about cowbells.

Matchup To Watch

Nick Fitzgerald vs. Arkansas rush defense

Sure, he looks to throw first but don’t be surprised to see some designed runs for the quarterback.

Arkansas vs. Mississippi State Betting Odds

Spread: Mississippi State -1.5
Over/Under: None available at time of publication.

Arkansas vs. Mississippi State Prediction

This one will be close, as both teams should be able to put up points against defenses that have been less than mediocre this season. When in doubt, go with the home team, and that is Mississippi State. Fitzgerald will make a few clutch plays and the Bulldogs will get their fifth win of the season and set up next week’s Egg Bowl for a chance to make a bowl game.

Arkansas vs. Mississippi State Score Prediction: Mississippi State 34, Arkansas 30

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