Mississippi State has already played two big names in the SEC West to claim its top national ranking, so now the Bulldogs get a treat and face the worst team in the division. There’s just one problem ... that team is still not very bad.
How to watch Arkansas vs. Mississippi State: Game guide, TV/streaming, odds
Can the Razorbacks upset the Bulldogs?
That team would be Bret Bielema’s Arkansas squad, which has made an impressive turnaround after last year’s 2-10 season, but the Razorbacks are still looking for their first SEC win of the Bielema era. And what better way to do it than against the No. 1 team in the country?
That may seem crazy, but in this contrast of styles, Arkansas may have a chance to pull the upset. The Razorbacks nearly upset both Alabama and Texas A&M, and they have a methodical offense and improving defense that may be able to throw the Bulldogs out of whack.
With games against Alabama and Ole Miss on the November horizon, looking past Arkansas would be a grave error for the Bulldogs. Here’s what we’ll be watching on Saturday.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 7:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Our blogs on these schools
The numbers
Rankings and records: Mississippi State is 7-0 and ranked No. 1 by the College Football Playoff. Arkansas is 4-4 and unranked.
Vegas: MSU opened as a 14-point favorite, but the line is now 11. The over/under is 60, per Odds Shark.
Weather forecast: Sunny with a high of 54 and a low of 27.
Two things at stake
Mississippi State’s place in the College Football Playoff is likely at stake in this game.
Arkansas can make a big statement that it’s a team on the rise if it wins this one. However, a loss wouldn’t necessarily be much of a setback for the Razorbacks.
One big matchup
Arkansas offense vs. Mississippi State defense: While Mississippi State has had a very good defense so far this year, it has sometimes struggled in giving up big plays. That was clear last week against Kentucky, when the Wildcats nearly rode big plays to a win. Arkansas doesn’t have an incredibly explosive offense — it is very methodical — but it has been more explosive than it’s gotten credit for, ranking 32nd nationally in that category. If the Razorbacks can open things up with some big plays in the passing game, they might be able to loosen up Mississippi State’s front seven enough to grind out a win.
Further reading
Read Arkansas Fight for more on Arkansas and For Whom the Cowbell Tolls for more on Mississippi State.
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