Five reasons why the Arkansas Razorbacks will win at Mississippi State (or vice versa)

Arkansas’ typically challenging schedule included seven games against ranked teams. As silly as it sounds, today’s situation might be the most important result of the season for the school, which sits at the bottom of the 16-team SEC standings.

When you lose, it’s not just a demoralizing trip to Fayetteville. The Hogs would face great odds to win half their games to meet the seemingly low six-win floor to qualify for a regular bowl game.

Win and Arkansas coach Sam Pittman breathes a sigh of relief. But beating Mississippi State is far from a sure thing.

The Razorbacks were up and down, good and then bad. A win would give the Hogs a 5-3 record, including 3-2 in the SEC. It would also allow them to complete the win in Mississippi next week against No. 18 Ole Miss in Fayetteville.

This would be a little taste of Pig heaven for fans. Arkansas favors a touchdown, but there are a few ‘Dogs beat the Hogs’ scenarios.

The 11:45 a.m. kickoff usually favors the visiting team, so everyone knows long before dinner whether the Razorbacks have found a way to bounce back from last week’s disappointing performance. There are those who insist that Mississippi State will win and the Hogs will overlook the weakest SEC team they will ever play.

There are several compelling bets that the Bulldogs will win. Here’s how this could happen.

Reason 1:
Dealing with an angry dog ​​is always dangerous. Mississippi State is 1-6 overall, 0-6 in the SEC and has lost six straight.

Frankly, they’re a terrible football team waiting to get beat again, aren’t they? Not exactly.

The Bulldogs played Georgia on the road by 10 points (41-31) two weeks ago and lost by 10 points at home to Texas A&M (34-24) last week. These guys are 2nd and 14th.

Reason 2:
Arkansas’ leading rusher, Ja’Quinden Jackson, is out with a permanent ankle injury. Backup Rodney Hill was listed as questionable in Friday’s SEC report. That leaves freshman Braylen Russell, 6-1 and 253 pounds, with agility, good feet and strength. They will still miss Jackson, the best of the bunch.

Reason 3:
Pigs cannot be trusted. If they don’t turn the ball over they will probably win.

This has happened in every match this season. If they drop or throw it two or three times, they will be in trouble. It’s that simple.

Reason 4:
Mississippi State won the last two in the series, and series have value. The Bulldogs had a thrilling game at Razorback Stadium last year, outlasting the Hogs 7-3.

A year ago at Stark Vegas, the ‘Dogs won 40-17. Recent history often has a meaning.

Reason 5:
Cowbell, baby. Rattle, rattle and more rattle.

Arguably an illegal rowdy per SEC rules, the MSU faithful get away with it… throughout the game. It is the most annoying sound imaginable.

For their sake, the Pigs need to arrange this. Earplugs may be necessary equipment.

Quasi-Reason 6:
Arkansas kicker Kyle Ramsey will not play due to a groin strain. Matthew Shipley is a talented backup and some say an upgrade, but Ramsey has done most of the work this season.

Shipley, the transfer from Hawaii, is 2-for-3 on shots. He had a 51-yard field goal and a chip shot but missed a 42-yard field goal.

So let’s think again. According to Fox Sports, the Razorbacks have a 71.4% chance of winning.

Let’s say the Pigs win. Here’s why:

Reason 1:
There is no turnover. In last week’s disappointing debacle, Arkansas went 0-3 in the turnover battle in a lopsided 34-10 loss to visiting LSU.

Looks like they won’t be sloppy Pigs this week. Stay even on turnovers and win. Lose this battle by multiple margins and see Reason #3 above.

Reason 2:
Taylen Green. ‘ said Nuf.

If an extremely athletic, extremely fast and extremely inconsistent point guard plays his best ball, it’s already over. His passing ability has increased considerably since the beginning of the season.

However, if he (here he comes again) keeps flipping it, it would be a mess.

Reason 3:
Razorback defense. Almost always solid, sometimes aggressive with the blitz, sometimes sensational and stingy.

If Landon Jackson, the 6-foot-1, 280-pound wrecking ball who increasingly harasses quarterbacks, can do his job and get help from 10 others, the Hogs can dominate and silence the rattle.

Reason 4:
Braylen Russell is the second coming of Jerome Bettis. For those who don’t know or don’t remember the Notre Dame Hall of Famer, he starred with the Rams and was particularly effective for the Steelers, rushing for over 100 yards 50 times.

He helped lead the Steelers to the 2005 Super Bowl title and retired. He weighed 245, was giving biscuits, and was fast on his feet. He could be Russell Bettis 2.0.

Reason 5:
Big games. Arkansas had 133 carries of 10-plus yards this season, the fifth-most in the nation. This works out to an average of 19 per game compared to last year’s average of 14 for 168 in 12 matches.

Receiver Andrew Armstrong is a big part of this statistic as he averages just under 108 yards per outing. Only eight FBS receivers and two receivers in the SEC are averaging 100-plus yards receiving per game.

Every stadium in the SEC makes it difficult to escape with a win. But instincts say the Razorbacks ended their losing streak against the Bulldogs by playing well on the road for the third time.

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