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Arkansas looks like Mississippi State’s most winnable SEC game again. Can Jeff Lebby break through?

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Arkansas looks like Mississippi State’s most winnable SEC game again. Can Jeff Lebby break through?


STARKVILLE — Coach Jeff Lebby doesn’t talk about last season to his Mississippi State football players anymore.

Nothing can be changed from the Bulldogs’ 2-10 record in Lebby’s first season where they lost every SEC game by double digits and only notched wins against FCS Eastern Kentucky and then-FBS independent UMass.

But with MSU’s next game at Arkansas (2-6, 0-4 SEC) on Nov. 1 (3 p.m., SEC Network) perhaps a portion of last season should be revisited.

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The matchup for MSU (4-4, 0-4) appears to be its best remaining chance to end its 16-game SEC losing streak. But that was also a thought last season when Mississippi State hosted Arkansas. Mississippi State was served a humbling 58-25 beatdown at Davis Wade Stadium.

“One thing I mentioned last year was ‘Hey, let’s go play as hard as we possibly can,’” Lebby said. “‘Let’s do everything we can this week to go play as hard as we can and maybe the ball will bounce the right way and somehow we’ll be able to go win a football game.’ That was the reality of it. I didn’t talk like that during the season because I never will.

“This is a completely different situation. We got a good football team. We did not a year ago. We have a good enough team to win.”

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Even with Arkansas’ six-game losing streak and Bobby Petrino as the interim coach, Lebby said the Bulldogs will have to beat “the best 2-6 football team in the country” to get the elusive SEC win. The program’s last SEC win was at Arkansas in 2023.

Why Arkansas is Mississippi State’s best chance to snap SEC losing streak

Mississippi State has four games remaining. Arkansas is the only opponent not ranked in the US LBM Coaches Poll. Mississippi State still has home games against No. 5 Georgia, No. 8 Ole Miss and a road game at No. 20 Missouri.

In a way, Arkansas is similar to last season’s Mississippi State team. It’s in the midst of a long losing streak. Arkansas is anchored down by the SEC’s worst defense, just like MSU in 2024.

But there are differences too that make the Razorbacks not a gimme. BetMGM lists Mississippi State as a 4.5-point underdog as of Oct. 29.

The Razorbacks have played all of their SEC games close, including Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas A&M. Taylen Green is a quarterback who causes problems in the air and on the ground. He scored six touchdowns against the Bulldogs last season.

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Arkansas fired its defensive coordinator, defensive line coach and secondary coach on Sept. 29.

“Defensively, they’re completely different,” Lebby said. “… We have three games that we’ve watched that can kind give you the information of what we’re going to get this weekend. It’s very limited tape, but feel like we have a good grasp of what it’s going to look like and what we’re going to get.”

How Mississippi State vs Arkansas could be decided

Three of the last four games for Mississippi State have been heartbreaking losses.

MSU led Tennessee by seven points in the fourth quarter before losing in overtime. It was in range for a potential game-winning field goal at Florida until quarterback Blake Shapen threw an interception. In Week 9, MSU coughed up a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter before losing to Texas in overtime.

“It’s truly each position and that’s what we talked about in the team meeting,” Lebby said. “It’s not one guy in one situation and one thing happening that’s keeping us from knocking the door down and getting the victory. It’s every position on the field. It’s giving these guys something a little better to go execute.”

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Arkansas has lost those same battles as Mississippi State.

Against Ole Miss, the Razorbacks lost a fumble near the red zone while trailing by six with two minutes to play. They also fumbled with 1:18 remaining while in field-goal range against Memphis before losing 32-31. Their losses to Tennessee and Texas A&M were both by three points. Arkansas’ last game ended in a brutal 33-24 loss to Auburn when in the fourth quarter it committed four turnovers and was outscored 17-0.

“I think every game in this league is hard to win,” MSU wide receiver Brenen Thompson said. “I think winning is hard as it is no matter what league you’re in, but especially this league. Every game gets diagnosed the same. Every game gets the same amount of effort put in to it, at least for me and this team.”

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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#21 Arkansas Cruises Past Jackson State

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#21 Arkansas Cruises Past Jackson State


FAYETTEVILLE – Malique Ewin scored 21 points, making 8-of-9 from the field – including his first career 3-pointer – and 4-of-4 from the line, while Karter Knox posted his second double-double of the season, with 17 points and 10 rebounds, to lead the 21st-ranked Razorbacks to a 115-61 victory over Jackson State Friday night at Bud Walton Arena.

Arkansas also got outstanding performances from D.J. Wagner (16 points on 6-of-6 shooting with seven assists) and Billy Richmond III (14 points with three highlight-reel dunks in the first half. Meleek Thomas added 13 points while Darius Acuff Jr. and Isaia Sealy each scored 10 points.

Arkansas put the game out of reach with a 24-0 run that spanned the end of the first half into the start of the second. The Hogs also had a 22-6 run midway through the second half to lead 89-33 with 9:50 left.

The Razorbacks shot 63.9% from the field for the game – 74.2% in the second half – thanks to a season-high 16 dunks. (Arkansas entered the game with 24 dunks in the first five games combined.)

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Ewin had five of the 16 dunks and the senior made his first career 3-pointer. (He is now 1-of-2 from deep for his career.) Richmond and Knox each added three dunks.

Tamarion Hoover led Jackson State with 19 points, making 4-of-9 from 3-point range.

Up next, Arkansas will travel to Chicago to face #5 Duke for the CBS Thanksgiving Classic on Thursday (Nov. 27). Tipoff at the United Center is set for 7 pm (CT), and the game will be televised on CBS.

FIRST HALF: ARK: 47 – JSU: 19

  • Arkansas went on a 14-2 run to race out to a 22-9 lead. Jackson State was 1-of-9 from the field over the stretch.
  • After Jackson State made a 3-pointer to cut their deficit to 12 (31-19), Arkansas closed the half on a 16-0 run to lead 47-19. The run started before the Tigers’ triple and was a 20-3 run over the final 6:43.
  • Arkansas shot 53% from the field while holding Jackson State to 21% shooting.
  • Jackson State had nine turnovers thanks to seven Arkansas steals.
  • Billy Richmond III led Arkansas with 10 points, including three dunks.
  • The last time Arkansas held an opponent to fewer than 20 points in the first half was UMES last season (11/26/24) with 15.

SECOND HALF: ARK: 68 – JSU: 42

  • Arkansas opened the second half on an 18-4 run, including an 8-0 spurt at the start of the frame.
  • From the 15-minute mark to the 9:29 mark, Arkansas out-scored the Tigers 22-6.
  • Arkansas had zero turnovers in the second half with 14 assists. Arkansas forced 11 second-half turnovers.
  • Ewin scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half. He was 7-of-8 from the field.
  • Arkansas scored 68 points in the second half. The last time it scored at least 60 in a half was getting 60 in the first half versus Maryland-Eastern Shore last season (11/26/24).

NOTES:

  • Arkansas’ starting lineup was Darius Acuff Jr., D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle. It was the first time for this starting lineup and the fourth starting lineup overall.
  • JSU’s Dorian McMillian scored the game’s first points, a layup at 18:23. Nick Pringle scored Arkansas’s first points with two free throws at 18:05.
  • Arkansas’s first subs were Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond III.
  • Arkansas is 13-0 all-time versus Jackson State.
  • Arkansas improves to 142-6 all-time when scoring at least 100 points. Coach Calipari is 48-0 all-time when scoring at least 100 points.
  • Coach Cal is now 18 wins shy of 900 as head coach of a Division I program.
  • Arkansas entered the game 8th in the NCAA in fastbreak points (23.6 ppg). The Hogs had 34 fastbreak points, compared to four by the Tigers. The 34 fastbreak points is the most in a game since the stat has been tracked (2011-12) with the previous high being 32 vs Southern this year and UCA in 2021. (HogStats.com)

For more­­ information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X, Instagram and Facebook.

 

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Longhorns Wire staff predictions for Texas Football vs. Arkansas

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Longhorns Wire staff predictions for Texas Football vs. Arkansas


It’s been a wild week for Texas Football. First, they were dominated by the Georgia Bulldogs. Then speculation over Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian job status became so overwhelming, Sark had to make not one, but two public statements.

Texas has a very, very slim chance at the college football playoff, but a lot has to go right for that to happen. Whatever happens around them, all the Horns can control is their own performance. Texas has to win, especially against a 2-8 Razorbacks team that has seen their coach fired this season.

If the Longhorns don’t win at home against the Hogs, Texas is staring down a 7-5 record that will turn this season from disappointing to complete disaster.

There are some interesting matchups in this game and the Hogs have some good players dotted around their lineup, including quarterback Taylen Green. But ultimately, the Longhorns have to focus on themselves.

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Texas’ offense has been inconsistent all season and the running game has been the worst in decades. Many of the causes stem from an offensive line that has struggled in almost every game. The Horns defense has been good at times, but they have also been picked apart like they were last week in Georgia.

Sarkisian and his team need to look inward if they want to salvage what so far has been a very disappointing 2025.

Tommy Bresee Prediction:

Following the Georgia blowout, the confidence around the Longhorns is at a season-low. Arkansas comes into Austin this weekend, with a 3-7 record but one of the most dangerous QBs and offenses in the country. Taylen Green is capable of taking over this game if the Texas defense isn’t prepared to keep him in check. However, returning to home turf should bring the Longhorns defense back to level.

On the other side, there is little reason the Texas offense shouldn’t have a great day. Arch Manning has been incredible the last month and this is a defense that has allowed most every QB they’ve played to have a career day. I expect the same from Arch Manning here and the Texas offense is able to score in bunches. That, combined with my belief the defense will have a bounce back performance makes me think the Longhorns are able to get a rather comfortable win here.

Final score: Texas 38, Arkansas 24

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Jamie Gatlin Prediction:

After a disappointing loss at Georgia last weekend, Texas is back in action on Saturday afternoon against Arkansas. This game represents the perfect bounce-back opportunity.

Through ten games, Arkansas is 2-8. The Longhorns will need a much better performance from Arch Manning and the offense. If Manning can return to form, then this is a game Texas should win easily.

Final score: Texas 28, Arkansas 14

Trey Luerssen Prediction:

Does this Texas team heart? Texas has certainly shown heart at times this season. Comebacks at Kentucky and Mississippi State have certainly shown the Longhorns are quitters. But against Georgia, there seemed to be a few white flags raised after the Bulldogs surprise onside kick in the fourth quarter.

But that’s within a game. What about when the season-long goal is dashed? When the preseason No. 1 team in the nation is all but eliminated from the CFP with two games to go? Does Texas have the heart to go beat a team they should destroy, while all the noise of coaching rumors and fan angst swirls around them?

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I saw this team does have heart. I think they might play their best game of the year on Saturday. Free of the pressure of expectation, Texas can just go out and play.

Final score: Texas 42, Arkansas 24



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bet365 bonus code NYPBET: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets for Louisiana vs. Arkansas State

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bet365 bonus code NYPBET: Bet , get 0 in bonus bets for Louisiana vs. Arkansas State


Louisiana heads to Jonesboro looking to extend its late-season push, while Arkansas State tries to lock up bowl eligibility after dropping a tight one to Southern Miss. 

The bet365 promo code NYPBET can be applied at sign up to access $150 in guaranteed bonus value for bets on Louisiana vs. Arkansas State.

The Ragin’ Cajuns arrive with a run-heavy identity and back-to-back wins, but they’re slight underdogs against a Red Wolves team that has taken four of its last five. 

With both defenses leaking yardage and rain in the forecast, this matchup tilts toward whichever offense handles the conditions and protects the ball better.

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bet365 bonus code NYPBET for Louisiana vs. Arkansas State

You can use the bet365 promo code NYPBET to bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets, whether the bet wins or loses on Louisiana vs. Arkansas State.

When you sign up, enter the bet365 promo code NYPBET to unlock this welcome offer for Thursday.

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What our Post expert thinks about Louisiana vs. Arkansas State

Arkansas State’s Jaylen Raynor has topped 2,450 passing yards with a 68.2% completion rate, giving the Red Wolves one of the Sun Belt’s steadier aerial attacks. 

Louisiana’s defense has struggled to contain the run, allowing 192.6 yards per game and 22 rushing touchdowns, a troubling matchup against an opponent that leans on balance. 

And with Louisiana averaging 186 rushing yards per outing and controlling possession for 38 minutes in its last win, the Cajuns’ ability to dictate tempo could become the decisive swing factor.

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Why Trust New York Post Betting

Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.



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