Mississippi State football takes on the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville on Saturday afternoon. What key players are in and out of the lineup for the Bulldogs and Hogs ahead of the matchup?
Right tackle Albert Reese out for Mississippi State vs Arkansas
Mississippi State will have to take the field without their best offensive lineman for the second time in their last four games. Right tackle Albert Reese IV is out today against Arkansas. Reese has been a vital piece for the Bulldog OL, as the unit has easily been at its worst with him out of the lineup. Backup WR Jaron Glover and backup CB Jett Jefferson are other Bulldogs of note that will not play today.
Mississippi State isn't the only team missing a starting offensive lineman. Arkansas will actually be missing two. Starting center Caden Kitler and starting right tackle E'Marion Harris will both be out for today's game. The Arkansas OL has performed well for the majority of the year, but that's a major blow to have a pair of starters out.
Mississippi State gets running back Fluff Bothwell back vs Arkansas
The good news for the Bulldogs today is that star running back Fluff Bothwell will make his return to action. Bothwell has missed Mississippi State's last two games after suffering a lower leg injury last month at Texas A&M.
Prior to going down with injury, Bothwell was State's leading rusher, and he is still the team leader in rush yards per game at 77.5. Bothwell brings a between-the-tackles physicality to the Bulldog run game that they've missed without him. This is a great game for him to make his return, as the Arkansas defense surrenders 194 rush yards per game.
Fully Injury report for Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Arkansas Razorbacks
Mississippi State
OUT: WR Jaron Glover, CB Jett Jefferson, DL Will Whitson (OFY), OL Brennan Smith, OL Blake Steen (OFY), OL Albert Reese IV
Arkansas
OUT: DB Quentavius Scandrett, WR Monte Harrison, WR Jalen Brown, RB AJ Green, OL Caden Kitler, OL E'Marion Harris, TE Andreas Paaske, DL David Oke