Ole Miss and Arkansas are in the process of rebuilding in the SEC West, which has been the toughest division in football over the last decade. It’s one thing in itself to get some momentum behind a program when there’s an easy opponent on the schedule most weeks, but it’s entirely another to get the ball rolling while facing the likes of Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Texas A&M regularly.
How to watch Arkansas vs. Ole Miss: Preview, TV time, odds and more
The Razorbacks look to pick up their first SEC win of the year, and the Rebels play for bowl eligibility.
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On Saturday afternoon, the Rebels and Razorbacks will have a chance to take a big step toward bowl eligibility.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Neither team comes in ranked and it’s unlikely they’ll enter the top 25 anytime soon. That being said, Ole Miss is 5-3, and a win would send Hugh Freeze’s program to a bowl game for the second year in a row after losing 10 games in 2011.
A win for the Razorbacks would be Bret Bielema’s first conference win. Bielema’s first season in Fayetteville has been a bumpy ride, and a road win would give the team an outside shot at becoming bowl eligible.
Vegas: Ole Miss comes in as a 17-point favorite.
Weather: It’ll be a cool day for football with temperatures in the 40s at kickoff. There’s a slight chance of rain.
Three names to know
Brandon Allen -- Arkansas’ starting quarterback hasn’t been great this season, and he’s coming off an up-and-down performance against Auburn. Allen has thrown for 1,067 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2013.
Bo Wallace - Wallace, a junior, is having a fine season for the Rebels. He's completing 63 percent of his passes and has an 11-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Look for him to have a big day against Arkansas' questionable secondary.
Donte Moncrief - The 6'3 junior wide receiver leads Ole Miss with 498 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Wallace should key in on Moncrief whenever the Rebels get into the red zone given his size and soft hands.
Two things at stake
A win for Ole Miss gains the Rebels bowl eligibility for the second time in as many years under coach Freeze.
A win for Arkansas would give Bielema his first conference victory and would keep the Razorbacks in the running to make a bowl game if they can win out. Ole Miss is already having some fun at the expense of Bielema’s winless stretch.
How to witness
TV: 12:21 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Online streaming: ESPN3
Further reading
For more on this game, be sure to check out Red Cup Rebellion, Arkansas Fight and Team Speed Kills.
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