Arkansas @ Mississippi preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Mississippi 24, Arkansas 38

THE STORY: In most divisions, Arkansas would be the cream of the crop. But the 10th-ranked Razorbacks find themselves lost in the shadows of national championship contenders LSU and Alabama in the SEC West. Arkansas returns to action after a bye week, traveling to Mississippi with a passing attack ranked eighth nationally behind quarterback Tyler Wilson.

The Rebels have lost four of their first six and are winless in SEC play. Ole Miss scored first last week before Alabama reeled off 52 unanswered points in a 52-7 rout in Oxford. The news got worse this week for the Rebels, as defensive end Wayne Dorsey and cornerback Marcus Temple, both injured against the Crimson Tide, were declared out for the season.

Arkansas leads the season series 31-25-1, having snapped a two-game losing streak last season with a 38-24 home win.

TV: SEC Network. LINE: Arkansas -15.5

ABOUT ARKANSAS (5-1, 1-1 SEC): Offense has been the story all season, as Arkansas has scored at least 38 points every game, topping 40 three times and scoring in the 50s twice. Wilson ranks second in the SEC in passing efficiency and total offense, fueling an attack that averages 336.8 yards in the air. Improvement on defense remains a focus; Arkansas ranks ninth in the SEC in total defense.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI (2-4, 0-3 SEC): Things turned sour quickly for the Rebels after Jeff Scott’s touchdown run three minutes in gave Ole Miss a 7-0 lead on Alabama. The Rebels allowed 615 yards while finishing with just 143 (28 yards rushing on 31 attempts). Ole Miss ranks 11th in the SEC in total offense and 12th in total defense, amid growing criticism of head coach Houston Nutt.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arkansas receiver Jarius Wright leads the SEC and ranks 10th nationally in receiving yards per game (110.8).

2. Ole Miss punter Tyler Campbell ranks 10th in the nation, averaging 45.3 yards per punt.

3. The Razorbacks have returned two punts and one kickoff for a touchdown, one of 10 NCAA teams with more than one kick return for a touchdown this season.

PREDICTION: Arkansas 47, Ole Miss 14 – Wilson has too many weapons and will have plenty of time to pick apart an overmatched Rebels’ defense.