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For the first time this season, Arkansas will play an SEC opponent not ranked in the top 10.
LSU comes calling to Donald W. Reynold Razorback Stadium on Saturday night, but the Tigers aren’t down and out. After suffering its third conference loss, LSU has to swallow a close loss it could have won.
Arkansas is familiar with that.
The Razorbacks have held leads against Texas A&M, Alabama and Mississippi State. Bret Bielema’s team has lost of them.
Still, Arkansas knows it will get a test from the Bayou Bengals in the Battle of the Boot.
“It won’t have an effect on them,” tight end Hunter Henry said of LSU’s loss to the Crimson Tide, according to Robbie Neiswanger of Arkansas News. “They’ll be ready to play.”
Arkansas enters the week as a favorite, though the Hogs haven’t beaten LSU since their 31-23 win in Little Rock in 2010. Henry is hoping coming off a bye week will not only end the Razorbacks’ three-game skid to LSU, but also its 17-game SEC losing streak.
“We were up in the 70s in plays and that can wear down on you week after week after week,” Henry said. “But when you have a week to get your legs under you and get ready for a big team like LSU [next week] it’s huge for a lot of us.”
Bret Bielema and company get a few key players back this week. Cornerback Henre Toliver and running back Korliss Marshall both will see the field this week for Arkansas.
Toliver — the true freshman and Louisiana native — had become Arkansas’ best corner this season before being injured against Georgia.
Defensive backs coach Clay Jennings said Toliver will see the field on Saturday night.
“I don’t know who’s more excited about playing, him or me,” Jennings told Neiswanger. “I definitely will be excited about having a chance to get him back out in the mix.”
Meanwhile Marshall, who was suspended for three games for a violation of university policy, returns. The Hogs ground game has struggled in its recent outings, but Marshall’s fresh legs have provided a lift to Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins.
“He’s definitely got those fresh legs,” Williams said. “He’s looking even a little bit faster just because of those fresh legs. It’s definitely good to have him back, just because he adds depth to the running back room.”
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
