SEC Kickoff: Everything you need to know for Ole Miss at Arkansas
Here’s everything you need to know about the 61st meeting between Ole Miss and Arkansas today on CBS.
When: Today, Nov. 22
Where: Fayetteville, Ark. – Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Game Time: 3:30 p.m. EST
TV: CBS
Current Line: Ole Miss (-3.5)
Game Buzz: It’s a huge SEC West game with division championship implications on the line. Ole Miss needs to win out, and get a little help, to win the West. Arkansas got its first conference win last week and looks to play spoiler again this week as the Rebels come to town.
Saturday Down South previews
- Video: Ole Miss at Arkansas preview
- Matchup Breakdown: Brandon Allen vs. Ole Miss pass defense
- Arkansas underrated front seven dominating offenses
- Inside the Numbers: Turnover margin could decide Rebels-Hogs
- Early Opponent Analysis: Arkansas
- Matchup Breakdown: Ole Miss run defense vs. Arkansas run game
Arkansas Razorbacks
Players to watch:
- QB Brandon Allen
- DE Trey Flowers
- WR Keon Hatcher
- DE Darius Philon
- RB Alex Collins
- RB Jonathan Williams
- LB Brooks Ellis
- RB Korliss Marshall
- TE AJ Derby
Keys for Arkansas:
- Control the trenches. Ole Miss has not faced an offensive line that resembles that of Arkansas. The Hogs are massive up front, and their ability to control the line of scrimmage will be key as offensive coordinator Jim Chaney looks to run the ball right at the Ole Miss defensive front.
- Pressure Bo Wallace. Arkansas’ front seven is beginning to play well, and Trey Flowers, Darius Philon and company need to continue that trend on Saturday afternoon. Not only are the Razorbacks talented along the defensive front, but they also have great depth. Defensive coordinator Robb Smith will substitute consistently, keeping fresh legs on the field.
- Execute new wrinkles. Chaney — last week against LSU and again this week — has inserted some wrinkles to the playbook during the last couple weeks. Arkansas’ ability to execute new plays, and perhaps some trickeration, is important.
Razorbacks’ glaring weakness to watch: The secondary. The defensive backfield still has some question marks as Smith looks to find the right combination back there for the Razorbacks. This is the first real test for Ole Miss without Laquon Treadwell; can Arkansas slow down playmakers that look to emerge for the Rebels?
Most interesting part of the game: Can Arkansas snowball last week’s momentum into a second straight win?
Team buzz: Hugh Freeze called this team “one of the better teams in the country,” and the Hogs have a little confidence now. Arkansas is fighting the next two weeks to become bowl eligible.
Ole Miss Rebels
Players to watch:
- QB Bo Wallace
- RB Jaylen Walton
- WR Vince Sanders
- TE Evan Engram
- DE Robert Nkemdiche
- S Cody Prewitt
- CB Senquez Golson
Keys for Ole Miss:
- Go through progressions. Ole Miss will be searching for a playmaker on the outside to step up in place of the injured Treadwell, and perhaps more importantly, Wallace is without his go-to target. The senior signal caller will need time to go through his second and third reads against a very good Arkansas front seven. Will he have time to hang around in the pocket in order to make the correct decision?
- Bow up defensively. The Rebels struggled with the downhill rushing attack of LSU, and will face arguably a better rushing attack in Arkansas’ three-headed monster in Jonathan Williams, Alex Collins and Korliss Marshall. The middle of the Landshark defense needs to man up on Saturday afternoon.
- Just win, baby. Ole Miss is still in contention for the SEC West title, and needs to win on Saturday afternoon in Fayetteville. It doesn’t have to be pretty — and with the weather conditions it may not be — but the Rebels just need to escape with a win.
Ole Miss’ glaring weakness to watch: Run defense. The middle of the defense is not as strong as the perimeter, and Ole Miss’ reliance on its speed will be neutralized some with the downhill rushing attack the Razorbacks will present. The Rebels know it’s coming, can they stop it?
Most interesting part of the game: With its leading receiver out, and a run game that struggles against good defenses, what identity does Ole Miss have on offense?
Team buzz: Ole Miss is sitting quietly at No. 8 with a chance to strike in both the Western Division race and the College Football Playoff picture. Do its dreams stay alive, or does Arkansas hand the Rebels their third loss?