Arkansas

Mississippi State football vs Arkansas score prediction, scouting report in Week 9 SEC game

Published

4 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

Mississippi State football vs Arkansas score prediction, scouting report in Week 9 SEC game

STARKVILLE — Everyone remembers, and maybe is trying to forget, last season’s 7-3 slugfest between Mississippi State football and Arkansas.

The Bulldogs prevailed, with Jo’Quavious Marks’ touchdown in the second quarter being the difference maker. Based on the outlooks of the teams this season, there should be more offensive fireworks when Mississippi State (1-6, 0-4 SEC) hosts Arkansas (4-3, 2-2) at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday (11:45 a.m., SEC Network).

“I think both teams are in a completely different place,” first-year MSU coach Jeff Lebby said. “Again, they’re playing much, much better offensively. … I think when you look at them, they have the chance to make some explosive plays, and they have.”

Here’s a look inside the Week 9 matchup.

Arkansas has had good and bad moments this season

The peak of Arkansas’ season so far came three weeks ago when it toppled then-undefeated Tennessee at home. Arkansas and coach Sam Pittman also have wins at Auburn and against UAB and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Its losses have come to Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and most recently LSU.

Arkansas has playmakers on offense

The Razorbacks have rejuvenated their offense with the return of coordinator Bobby Petrino.

Wide receiver Andrew Armstrong is third in the SEC with 646 receiving yards, while running back Ja’Quinden Jackson is fourth in the conference with 592 rushing yards. Taylen Green, a Boise State transfer, is the quarterback, a dual threat who has 316 yards and four touchdowns rushing.

However, Arkansas’ offense has been in rut lately and hasn’t scored more than 24 points in any of its past four games. Its 17.5 scoring average in conference games is fourth worst in the SEC.

Jackson is doubtful to play, according to Wednesday’s injury report. MSU struggled to defend the run to begin the season, but held Georgia and Texas A&M to under 150 rushing yards in back-to-back games.

“They’re always going to be a hard-nosed team,” MSU linebacker Stone Blanton said. “They’re head coach is a hard-nosed guy. (They) always have big O-linemen, big backs.”

MORE: Three alarming stats for Mississippi State football’s defense after Texas A&M loss

Mississippi State could have a productive rushing day

The Arkansas defense has been pretty well-rounded this season. However, the Razorbacks have allowed a 100-yard rusher in three consecutive games.

That means Mississippi State’s running backs could be in for a big game, though it hasn’t had a 100-yard rusher this season. Johnnie Daniels has been MSU’s most consistent running back, but Davon Booth is coming off a season-high 79 rushing yards.

A lot will depend on the offensive line, too, which hasn’t met expectations this season.

“You see a physical football team that plays with a ton of effort,” Lebby said of Arkansas. “It is all over the tape and it’s in all three phases.”

Lineman Landon Jackson is the player to watch on Arkansas’ defense.

Mississippi State vs Arkansas score prediction

Arkansas 27, Mississippi State 26: This is a very winnable game for MSU, which has played much better in three consecutive games. However, the defense is still a big concern. It’ll be tight in the fourth quarter, until Arkansas pulls ahead on a late game-winning field goal.

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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Arkansas

Arkansas football vs Louisiana Tech: Scouting report, prediction for Week 13 game

Published

7 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Arkansas football vs Louisiana Tech: Scouting report, prediction for Week 13 game

After three weeks standing on the verge of bowl eligibility, Arkansas football has its best opportunity to secure a spot in college football’s postseason this weekend against Louisiana Tech.

The Razorbacks (5-5) will host the Bulldogs (4-6) on Saturday (3 p.m., SECN+). Twenty players are projected to take part in Senior Day festivities as Arkansas closes out its home schedule in 2024.

The Hogs are coming off back-to-back losses inside Reynolds Razorback Stadium, most recently falling to Texas 20-10. Arkansas’ offense couldn’t muster enough production across the first two quarters as a comeback bid fell short against the Longhorns.

Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, is coming off its biggest win of the season. The Bulldogs beat conference rival Western Kentucky 12-7, knocking the Hilltoppers out of first place in Conference USA.

Here are four things to watch and a score prediction for Saturday’s contest between Arkansas and Louisiana Tech.

Arkansas football must get off to a fast start

The best way to prevent an upset is to eliminate any hope. Arkansas didn’t do that against UAB in September, and the Razorbacks came out of the gates slow last year in this same spot against FIU. They eventually won both games, but the final scores were closer than desired.

“We’re trying to live up to the Arkansas standard, and that results in executing on the field. And if we don’t live up to that, then we’re going to see a similar slow start,” Arkansas offensive lineman Josh Braun said. “So that’s what we’re focused on this week, just starting fast and playing our brand of football.”

Take care of the football

This is arguably the biggest key for Arkansas every weekend. The Razorbacks are 0-5 when they lose the turnover battle this season, and two costly giveaways spoiled any chance at an upset last week against Texas.

Fortunately for Arkansas, Louisiana Tech ranks 111th in the country in turnover margin. The Bulldogs are averaging nearly two turnovers a game, so this might be an opportune matchup for the Hogs’ defense.

Control the running game on both sides

The Bulldogs have struggled on the ground all season, and they’ve won both games in which they rushed for more than 150 yards. By contrast, they are 2-6 when held under that mark.

Arkansas’ running defense has been strong throughout the year. Only two opponents have averaged more than 4 yards per carry, and the Razorbacks should be able to keep Louisiana Tech running backs Omiri Wiggins and Amani Givens in check.

On the flip side, Arkansas needs to commit to running the football early and stay vigilant with Ja’Quinden Jackson. Relying on the pass too heavily proved a mistake in the first half against Texas, and look for Bobby Petrino to adjust.

All eyes on Tru Edwards

Edwards, a senior wide receiver, is by far Louisiana Tech’s most dangerous weapon. He has four games this season with more than 100 yards receiving and leads the team with six touchdowns.

He’s a big-play threat who will require the full focus of the Arkansas defense. The Razorbacks’ secondary will try to maintain its momentum after holding Quinn Ewers and Isaiah Bond in check last week.

Prediction

Louisiana Tech is better than its record indicates, but there is still a gulf in talent between the two rosters. If Arkansas handles its own business and avoids sloppy turnovers, it should have no problem securing bowl eligibility Saturday. An upset loss would be unacceptable. Arkansas 38, Louisiana Tech 13.

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Arkansas

Calipari Faces at Arkansas He Must Learn He Will Never Defeat

Published

15 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Calipari Faces at Arkansas He Must Learn He Will Never Defeat

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A lot has been made of the poor a attendance at Arkansas Razorbacks basketball games this season.

However, while it’s been somewhat embarrassing at times, it’s not entirely on Razorbacks fans. It’s not anyone’s fault technically. It’s more of a case of a schedule having to be made hastily before there was an opportunity to get to know the nuances of The Natural State.

One thing that is hard for the people of Arkansas to realize without moving away for some extended period of time is how unique the especially close relationship with the local church and the commitment this state’s citizens have to it actually is.

Scheduling the rest of life around church as a non-negotiable is expected. Playing organized sports on Sundays is still still frowned upon in much of the state, as are hunting and fishing in some cases.

Church comes first, whether it be Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night or revival week. Youth league coaches can find themselves pariahs for scheduling practices on Wednesday nights for this very reason.

That’s why excessively low attendance for Wednesday night games shouldn’t be as shocking to those who live here as opposed to people looking from the outside in.

See, one of the biggest adjustments to living outside of Arkansas is the extreme lack of Wednesday night church services. Same goes for revivals.

They’re just not a thing throughout much of the rest of the country, even in states that claim to really be into God. It’s even hard to find legitimate Sunday night services.

At best, there will be a youth program parents use as an excuse for a quick date night. So, that’s why it’s not surprising a coaching staff that didn’t grow up here might think nothing of lining up games on Wednesday nights expecting to get decent weeknight crowds.

However, what happens instead is much smaller crowds that make Hogs fans look disinterested at best. That’s just not likely the case.

They’re interested. Just not until the devotional has been read, the sermon has been preached and the invitation has been sung.

As soon as they get in the parking lot, the first thing they do is turn on the radio and try to catch up with what they have missed. It might seem strange to those from other states, but the priorities are right.

It may look bad on TV, but God, family and then the Razorbacks is the correct order

It’s a minor mistake in scheduling that is easily forgiven and eventually rectified. After all, the seats are still sold out and there are more important things involved in life.

• Indications are Texas may have played with its food against Arkansas

• Razorbacks might have played role as playoff spoiler

• Does Petrino offense still work for Razorbacks? | 4th and 5

• Razorbacks still looking forward to potential bowl, sending seniors off right

• Calipari remains confident with seven Hogs’ rotation players

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Arkansas

Arkansas (AAA) high school football playoffs: 2024 brackets, Round 2 matchups, game times

Published

23 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

Arkansas (AAA) high school football playoffs: 2024 brackets, Round 2 matchups, game times

The Arkansas high school football playoffs are on to Round 2, where several teams will start their postseason quest for a state championship after earning Round 1 byes.

The postseason in Class 2A through 7A plus the 8-man division started last week.

Bryant, Fayetteville, Bentonville and Conway are the 7A teams that will kick off their playoff run in Round 2 this week.

>>Arkansas high school football playoff brackets

Stick with High School on SI for all of the matchups, game times and scores throughout the 2024 Arkansas (AAA) football playoffs.

Here are the Arkansas high school football playoff brackets, with matchups and game times, plus second-round matchups:

Second-round matchups

Bryant vs. Cabot

7 p.m. Friday

Pulaski Academy vs. Fayetteville

7 p.m. Friday

Bentonville vs. Bentonville West

7 p.m. Friday

Rogers vs. Conway

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 7A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

El Dorado vs. Greenwood

7 p.m. Friday

Mountain Home vs. Catholic

7 p.m. Friday

Lake Hamilton vs. Benton

7 p.m. Friday

Shiloh Christian vs. Van Buren

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 6A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Valley View vs. Morrilton

7 p.m. Friday

Parkview vs. Maumelle

7 p.m. Friday

Robinson vs. Lakeside

7 p.m. Friday

Farmington vs. Camden Fairview

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 5A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Dardanelle vs. Prairie Grove

7 p.m. Friday

Arkadelphia vs. Gentry

7 p.m. Friday

Heber Springs vs. Southside

7 p.m. Friday

Monticello vs. Hamburg

7 p.m. Friday

Clinton vs. Mills University

7 p.m. Friday

Warren vs. Pocahontas

7 p.m. Friday

Elkins vs. Mena

7 p.m. Friday

Malvern vs. Highland

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 4A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Bismarck vs. Atkins

7 p.m. Friday

Osceola vs. Charleston

7 p.m. Friday

Fordyce vs. Jessieville

7 p.m. Friday

Booneville vs. Mayflower

7 p.m. Friday

Glen Rose vs. Dumas

7 p.m. Friday

Mansfield vs. Newport

7 p.m. Friday

Salem vs. Prescott

7 p.m. Friday

Rivercrest vs. Rison

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 3A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Murfreesboro vs. Mount Ida

7 p.m. Friday

East Poinsett County vs. Bigelow

7 p.m. Friday

Conway Christian vs. Des Arc

7 p.m. Friday

Carlisle vs. Junction City

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 2A high school football bracket

2024 AAA 8-man high school football bracket

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— Mike Swanson | swanson@scorebooklive | @sblivesports

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