Here’s everything you need to know about Friday’s game between Arkansas and Missouri.

When: Friday, Nov. 28
Where: Columbia, Mo.
Game Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS Sports
Current Line: Arkansas (-3.5)

Game Buzz: Georgia fans may watch this one more intently than Arkansas fans, as the result of this one determines the SEC East. Two of the SEC’s most underrated defenses match up against occasionally-flatlining offenses in what could be a low-scoring game. After failing in tight games against Texas A&M, Alabama and Mississippi State, the Razorbacks broke through in a huge way the last two weeks. Can coach Bret Bielema’s team close the season with three consecutive SEC wins? Or will Missouri continue its two-year trend, defying every public expectation while improving to 14-3 against conference foes?

SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

Players to watch:

  • QB Brandon Allen
  • RB Jonathan Williams
  • RB Alex Collins
  • TE Hunter Henry
  • DE Trey Flowers
  • LB Martrell Spaight

Keys for Arkansas:

  • Control the line of scrimmage: The Hogs hold a significant size advantage on the line of scrimmage with an offensive line that averages 6-foot-6, 324 pounds. Arkansas needs to dominate the trenches and contain Missouri’s talented defensive ends. The offensive front powers Arkansas’ downhill rushing attack.
  • Play fast, physical defense: Robb Smith has produced one of the most startling 180s in the entire country, remaking an Arkansas defense that struggled last season. Anchored by a stellar front seven, the Razorbacks need to play fast and play physical on defense. Mizzou quarterback Maty Mauk only plays as well as the skill players around him, and if Arkansas can defend, tackle and communicate well, it could make for a long day for the home team.
  • Be loose: The pressure is completely on the Tigers. It’s Gary Pinkel’s team that has a division title on the line. Hogs CEO Bret Bielema has gotten his team to play well, while staying relaxed during the past two outings. If the Razorbacks can enter Columbia and play Arkansas football, this team has a good chance to win.

Glaring weakness to watch: The health of quarterback Brandon Allen. High-powered offense isn’t the strength of the Razorbacks, and a gimpy Allen could handcuff offensive coordinator Jim Chaney even more.

Most interesting part of the game: How does Arkansas handle the love it’s gotten during the past three weeks? It seems everyone has jumped on the Razorbacks bandwagon; the Hogs even enter Friday’s bout a rare road favorite.

Team buzz: The vibe around northwest Arkansas is that this team has turned a corner under Bielema, and will be a threat in the SEC West heading into 2015. The Razorbacks look to end the regular season on a three-game winning streak and seven wins, well ahead of schedule in year two under the former Wisconsin coach. Bielema is making a name for himself as one of the league’s great coaches and looks to be returning his team to the bruising, run-first, dominant-defense approach to SEC football that ran rampant in the early 2000s.

MISSOURI TIGERS

Players to watch:

  • QB Maty Mauk
  • RB/KR Marcus Murphy
  • WR Bud Sasser
  • DE Shane Ray
  • DE Markus Golden
  • LB Michael Scherer

Keys for Missouri:

  • Play stout against a physical running game. The Arkansas offensive line is as big as any group currently playing pigskin at any level — high school, college or NFL. Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams are a load to tackle. The Missouri defense is fast and athletic, but not particularly stout or physical. Get Arkansas in third-and-long and the Razorbacks better sound alarm bells, healthy Brandon Allen or not. But if the Razorbacks pound out five yards per carry, look out.
  • Continue the multi-pronged approach on offense. Last week against Tennessee, receivers Bud Sasser and Jimmie Hunt and running backs Russell Hansbrough and Marcus Murphy combined for well more than 300 yards of offense. Arkansas didn’t allow a single point in its last two games, and Missouri has bogged down at times this season when only one or two skill players were effective. The Tigers have to get significant contributions from a number of players, not just Sasser and one of the backs.
  • Play Missouri football. The Tigers have won a lot of close games the last two years by executing well with the game on the line in the fourth quarter and by generating a positive turnover margin. In a game unlikely to produce offensive fireworks, the latter seems especially critical. One key turnover setting up great field position could determine this game, and Missouri needs to be on the good end of that.

Glaring weakness to watch: Offensive line play. Thought to be a strength, or at least not a huge concern entering the season, the unit’s inconsistent play has contributed to sputters on offense. The line deserves at least some blame for Maty Mauk’s midseason bout with ghosts. (He seemed to bail from the pocket within two seconds on every snap for a while.) And against a bruising front seven led by DE Trey Flowers, this group has got to be prepared for grueling physicality.

Most interesting part of the game: Can Missouri, a finesse, athletic, fast team that still contains Big 12 DNA, take care of Arkansas, a bruising, powerful, smack-you-in-the-mouth team that contains Big Ten DNA?

Team buzz: The Tigers will win the SEC East if it can beat Arkansas. It would also give Missouri 10 wins with the chance to match last season’s 12-2 mark. For all the talent that Gary Pinkel and the coaching staff had to replace from last year’s Top 5 team, just being in this position is pretty remarkable, regardless of the outcome. It’s the last game in Columbia for perhaps the best tandem of defensive ends the school has ever had (when healthy) in Shane Ray and Markus Golden. This program slowly has carved out a reputation for itself in the best football conference in college football, and will (finally) enter the postseason and beyond with a bolstered reputation.