Mississippi State vs. Arkansas Game Preview
Nov 03, 2012; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) breaks through the line of the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Spruce DerdenUSA TODAY Sports
Mississippi State will defend its home turf and consensus #1 ranking against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday night. Game time is set for 6:15 CST, and it will be televised by ESPN2.
MSU sits atop the SEC West with a perfect 4-0 record while Arkansas is at the bottom of the division with a 0-4 record. While this seems to be a mismatch in the standings, that couldn’t be further from the truth in the reality that is the SEC West. All of Arkansas’ losses have been to top 10 teams. In the West, any team can beat the other so the Dawgs will surely have to be on their game to ensure victory.
Stats comparison
MSU rushing offense: 273 YPG (13th) vs. ARK rushing defense: 138 YPG (38th)
MSU passing offense: 258 YPG (43rd) vs. ARK passing defense: 215 YPG (47th)
ARK rushing offense: 259 YPG (16th) vs. MSU rushing defense: 118 YPG (23rd)
ARK passing offense: 199 YPG (93rd) vs. MSU passing defense: 322 YPG (125th)
It’s strength vs. strength in this game. Arkansas wants to pound the running game and MSU can stop it with one of the best front sevens in the SEC. The Hogs are pretty good defensively…and are around middle of the pack in the SEC in both rushing and pass defense. MSU brings in the #1 total offense and #2 scoring offense in the league.
I was a little surprised to find out Mississippi State ran for more yards per game than Arkansas….but even more surprised to learn the Bulldogs rush five time more per game than the Razorbacks do. It may have to do with the fact that MSU runs six more plays per game.
UPIG’S RUSHING ATTACK
Arkansas has the biggest offensive line in the nation (or at least I heard that on a national radio show a few weeks ago). Here are the measurables per 3rdAnd57:
- LT Dan Skipper (So) 6’10″ 326
- LG Sebastion Tretola (Jr) 6’5″ 350
- C Mitch Smothers (Jr) 6’4″ 314
- RG Denver Kirkland (So) 6’5″ 330
- RT Brey Cook (Sr) 6’7″ 322
While this offensive line is good, there haven’t been too many cries about them being the best the SEC. Alabama has the best rush defense in the SEC, and the Hogs only mustered 66 yards. Against Georgia who has the second best, however, they tallied 296 on the ground….but that was a blowout so you have to take it with a grain of salt.
How will MSU’s defensive line (and linebackers) handle this rushing attack? I’m honestly not too worried about it – both LSU and Texas A&M supposedly had the best offensive line in the SEC until they went up against State’s front
four
eight known as P. Smith, C & P Jones, Eulls, R. Brown, James, Jefferson and Adams. Sounds like a big law firm.
DEFENSIVE STARS
Arkansas has some game-changers on defense. DE Trey Flowers is one of the best in the SEC, and right beside him is DT Darius Philon. Martrell Spaight is a really good player at LB as well. All of these guys can and will stop you in the backfield…they have combined for 20.5 tackles for loss this season.
Conversely, Arkansas will have to deal with MSU’s defensive stars. Preston Smith, Chris Jones and Benardrick McKinney highlight the group similar to where Flowers, Philon and Spaight do for the Hogs.
Facing offenses that love to run the ball to open up the pass, these defenses match up well with the star power up front. And when passing time comes they have players who can really rush the passer as well. It will be interesting to see if these guys can create havoc and turn some plays into big losses or turnovers.
ON A MISSION
Both teams are on a mission on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Bret Bielema has yet to win a SEC game (0-12), but his team is fighting and getting better every week. They are poised to break through at some point, I just hope it isn’t this weekend. I honestly believe they will be bowling this year with a 6-6 record, catching two wins from what’s left: at MSU, vs. LSU, vs. Ole Miss, at Missouri.
Mississippi State is on a mission to capture a SEC championship, and then potentially a national championship. They have been ranked #1 in the AP and Coaches Polls for three consecutive weeks, and are the first team to ever garner a #1 ranking by the College Football Playoff Committee. While State beat Kentucky by two touchdowns on the road last week, it was clear they didn’t have the same energy they did previously in league play. Will the home crowd ignite that fire once again?
A win in this game would tie the best start in MSU history at 8-0 (1999) and all but assures the best start ever with UT-Martin next week for Homecoming. It’s been a special year so far, now the Bulldogs just need to keep it going by taking care of business vs. the Razorbacks.