Tennessee @ Arkansas preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 10, 2007 ) Arkansas 13, Tennessee 34

THE STORY: Two teams with very different agendas collide when No. 8 Arkansas hosts Tennessee. The Razorbacks need to win to remain in the hunt for the SEC West title and keep the stage set for a potential showdown with unbeaten and top-ranked LSU on Thanksgiving weekend. Tennessee, meanwhile, is still seeking its first SEC victory of the season. Arkansas’ offense hasn’t missed a beat since losing Ryan Mallett to the NFL as the Hogs lead the SEC in total offense and scoring.

TV: ESPN2, ESPN3.com. LINE: Arkansas -14.

ABOUT TENNESSEE (4-5, 0-5 SEC East): The second half has been the bane of the Volunteers’ existence. Tennessee has gone four straight games without scoring a touchdown after intermission. The Volunteers also rank last in the SEC in rushing offense at 86.8 yards per game, and only two FBS teams are averaging fewer yards on the ground. Tennessee has to win two of its three remaining games to become bowl eligible.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (8-1, 4-1 SEC West): The Razorbacks are coming off their most complete performance of the season against a quality team, thumping South Carolina 44-28 at home. Keep an eye on Arkansas wide receivers Joe Adams and Jarius Wright, both of whom are chasing the school record for career catches. Adams has 151 total receptions and Wright has 150. Anthony Eubanks holds the record with 153. The Razorbacks have been ranked in the Top 25 for 27 straight weeks - the longest such streak for the program since a 34-week run between 1988-1990.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Arkansas players won two of the SEC’s latest batch of weekly honors. Dennis Johnson took the special teams award after returning a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and tallying 252 all-purpose yards in the win over the Gamecocks. Defensive end Jake Bequette claimed a share of the defensive lineman of the week honor after tallying three sacks and forcing a fumble.

2. Tennessee is the underdog in this game but holds a 4-1 record in matchups against Arkansas when the Razorbacks are ranked. The only loss in such a scenario came in 2006, which also marked the Volunteers’ most recent trip to Fayetteville.

3. Tennessee will be without quarterback Tyler Bray for at least another week. Bray broke his thumb during an Oct. 8 loss at Georgia and hasn’t played since. Instead, freshman Justin Worley will start for the third consecutive game.

PREDICTION: Arkansas 34, Tennessee 17 - The Volunteers typically play tough football against the Razorbacks, but this Arkansas team has too many weapons for a Tennessee squad that is young and short on quality depth. Arkansas stays on course in the SEC West.