How Arkansas and Missouri compare at each position

FAYETTEVILLE — Below is a position-by-position breakdown of Arkansas and Missouri ahead of their 3 p.m. matchup in Reynolds Razorback Stadium:

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Brady Cook (221-330-6, 3,077 yards, 18 TDs) has had a big senior season with a 3-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 159.7 pass efficiency rating that is fifth in the SEC, 14th in the FBS. He has also been a solid scrambler and strong red-zone run option with 239 rush yards, 7 TDs and 2.7 yards per carry. Highly-regarded backup Sam Horn (3-5-1, 54 yards, 1 TD) has played only sparingly.

KJ Jefferson (188-294-8, 2,105 yards, 19 TDs) is completing 63.9% of his passes with his highest interception rate in the worst statistical season of his career. His 140.0 passing efficiency is ninth in the SEC, 53rd in the country. He has a team-high 432 rush yards with 2 TDs and 2.7 yards per carry. Jacolby Criswell (5-7-0, 47 yards, 2 TDs, 67 rush yards) has directed TD drives in 2 of his 3 appearances.

Advantage — Missouri

Running backs

Cody Schrader (220-1,272, 12 TDs, 5.8 ypc) is having an All-SEC season, as the 5-9, 214-pounder leads the SEC and ranks sixth in the FBS in rushing. The former walk-on is a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy. He has 191 receiving yards. His 205 rush yards and 116 receiving yards vs. Tennessee made him the first SEC player to hit the 200-100 marks in a game. Nathaniel Peat (68-288, 2 TDs, 4.2 ypc) is the top backup.

The resurgence of junior Dominique Johnson (26-112, 1 TD, 4.3 ypc) and the emergence of freshman Isaiah Augustave (20-122, 6.1) last week has been one of the more uplifting stories from a tough year, after the Hogs lost Raheim Sanders (62-209, 2) and Rashod Dubinion (82-260, 1) to injuries. AJ Green (63-312, 2) remains the top rusher in the tailback room. Screen passes to backs could loom large today.

Advantage — Missouri

Receivers/tight ends

Luther Burden (77 catches, 1,142 yards, 8 TDs) made a fourth-and-17 catch last week that saved Missouri’s bacon. He is third in the SEC, eighth in the FBS in receiving yardage. Transfers Theo Wease (44-624, 6) and Mookie Cooper (34-429) have been key complementary pass catchers. TEs Brett Norfleet (14-163, 1), a 6-7, 250-pound freshman, and Tyler Stephens (5-49) are rugged blockers.

Andrew Armstrong (52-724, 4, 13.9 ypc) made a couple of key third-down receptions last week. He and Isaac TeSlaa (32-317, 2, 9.9) have been the mainstays in the unit. Tyrone Broden (15-109, 3), Jaedon Wilson (15-199, 2) and Isaiah Sategna (14-127, 2) all had TD catches last week. TEs Nathan Bax (3-26), Francis Sherman (1-8) and Var’keyes Gumms (2-27) emerged after injuries.

Advantage — Missouri

Line

The Tigers have experience and muscle in its front, led by left-side graduate seniors in LT Javon Foster and LG Xavier Delgado (6-4, 329), the reigning SEC O-lineman of the week. Foster is questionable this week. C Connor Tollison and RT Armand Mambou are both true sophomores, while RG Cam’Ron Johnson, a transfer from Houston, is a true junior. The group averages 6-4, 314 pounds.

The Hogs have been searching for health and the right combos all year. The unit of LT Devon Manuel, LG Brady Latham, C Beaux Limmer, RG Josh Braun and RT Ty’Kieast Crawford created space for a season-high rush 323 yards last week, though there were a few TFLs and moderate QB pressure from the Florida International front. LT Andrew Chamblee has made 8 starts this year and RT Patrick Kutas (ankle) has made 9.

Advantage — Missouri

DEFENSE

Line

DE Darius Robinson (39 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 4 hurries, 1 FF) will be tough to block at 6-5, 298. Junior DE Johnny Walker (37, 7.5, 4, 8, 2) is the only non-senior starter. Top DTs are Realus George (20, 1.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 hurry), Jayden Jernigan (17, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks), Josh Landry (32, 2.5 TFL) and Kristian Williams (17, 2.5, 2 FF, 1 FR). DE Nyles Gaddy (20, 3 sacks) adds to the depth.

DE Landon Jackson (42, 13.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 2 hurries) added 2 half-sacks last week. Trajan Jeffcoat (16, 8.5, 4, 4) will face his former team. DTs Cam Ball (27, 0.5 sacks), Taurean Carter (24, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks), Anthony Booker (17, 2 TFL, 1 hurry), Eric Gregory (16, 2.5, 1, 4 hurries), Keivie Rose (14, 3.5, 2.5) and DEs John Morgan (10, 2 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FF), Zach Williams (9) and Nico Davillier (10, 3.5, 1) all contribute.

Advantage — Arkansas

Linebackers

The Tigers are banged up here. Ty’Ron Hopper (55, 6 TFL, 3 sacks, 6 hurries, 3 PBU), a 6-2, 230-pound bruiser and ex-Florida player, is a Butkus Award finalist who is questionable today, as is 6-1, 228-pound MLB Chuck Hicks (43, 6.5, 1, 1 PBU, 1 hurry, 1 FR), a Wyoming transfer. Tristan Newson (26, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 hurry) and Dameon Wilson (1) might draw more playing time against the Razorbacks.

Antonio Grier (30, 1 INT, 1 FR) got a starting nod last week over leading tackler Jaheim Thomas (87, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 5 hurries, 2 PBU) after a rough tackling game vs. Auburn. Chris Paul (67, 5.5, 2, 1, 1) has leveled out after and up-and-down start to the year. Grier and freshman Brad Spence (16, 1.5 TFL, 1 FR) have TDs on interception returns. Jordan Crook (24, 1 sack, 1 FF) posted 2 half-sacks last week.

Advantage — Arkansas

Secondary

The CB combo of juniors Kris Abrams-Draine (47, 2.5 TFL, 4 INT, 12 PBU, 1 FF) and Ennis Rakestraw (35, 1.5, 4 PBU, 1 FF) is one of the SEC’s best. Senior safeties Joseph Charleston (58, 4 PBU, 3 hurries, 1 FF), the team tackles leader, and JC Carlies (50, 2.5, 2 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FR) are physical hitters. Star is manned by Daylan Carnell (45, 5, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 6 PBU, 5 hurries) and Tre’Vez Johnson (35, 1).

S Alfahiym Walcott (55, 3 INT, 2 PBU) is coming off a huge game. Jayden Johnson (55, 1.5 TFL, 3 PBU, 1 FR) and Hudson Clark (46, 3.5, 3, 1) also play safety. Dwight McGlothern (16, 3 TFL, 3 INT, 6 PBU) is an ace when focused and healthy. Lorando Johnson (27, 4, 1 INT, 3 PBU) and Kee’yon Stewart (10, 1 hurry) started last week with Jaylon Braxton (20, 8 PBU, 1 INT, 1 FR) and Jaheim Singletary (14, 4 PBU) ailing.

Advantage — Missouri

Special teams

PK Harrison Mevis (22 of 28 FG, 37 of 38 PAT) is coming off another game-winner as he did vs. Hogs in 2020. Mevis has 40 touchbacks on 69 kickoffs (58%). Luke Bauer (42.1) and Riley Williams (40.5) have split punting duties. Luther Burden (10.0) has returned only six punts. The Tigers have mixed up their kickoff return men, with five guys averaging 19.4 yards.

PK Cam Little (20 of 24 FG, 31 of 31 PAT) continues to climb the UA charts, though he had a pair of misses last week. His touchback rate is 85% on kickoffs (51 of 60). Max Fletcher (47.4) has had a big sophomore year, ranking third in the SEC, seventh nationally. Return man Isaiah Sategna (22.5 KOR, 12.9 PR, 1 TD) had one of his better games last week.

Advantage — Arkansas

Intangibles

The Tigers, with a shot at a New Years Six bowl bid and a 10-win season, will have to get emotionally re-focused after the mania of their last-minute scoring drive to beat Florida. Perhaps they were saving the hype for the Battle Line game. It’s very important to Eli Drinkwitz for his team to play well in his home state against the Hogs, with whom he interviewed in December 2019 before Sam Pittman won the job.

What does the vote of confidence for 2024 by AD Hunter Yurachek for Coach Sam Pittman mean to the head space of the players, coaches and fans? Gauging the spirit level of the Razorbacks has been difficult. The enthusiasm in road games at LSU and Alabama was strangely lacking in home losses to Mississippi State and Auburn. This Thanksgiving weekend rivalry has clearly meant more to Mizzou.

Advantage — Missouri