Mississippi State @ Arkansas preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 20, 2010 ) Arkansas 38, Mississippi State 31

THE STORY: Arkansas has shaken its mid-season habit needing second-half rallies. Now the sixth-ranked Razorbacks look to keep building momentum for next week’s showdown against LSU when they host struggling Mississippi State. Arkansas can still win the SEC West and reach the SEC Championship Game, and maintains a very slim shot at reaching the BCS national title contest. The Razorbacks trailed at halftime in four consecutive games in October, but came back to win all four. They've won six in a row since losing to Alabama on Sept. 24. Mississippi State lost to Alabama 24-7 last week, dropping the Bulldogs to 1-5 in SEC play. Those five losses have come against teams ranked first, third, 12th, 14th and 24th in this week’s BCS standings.

TV: CBS. LINE: Arkansas –13 ½.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (5-5, 1-5 SEC): The Bulldogs managed just 131 yards of total offense last week against the Crimson Tide, but the defense kept things close until wearing down in the fourth quarter. Running back Vick Ballard needs 189 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for the season. The Bulldogs’ five victories have come against teams with a combined record of 19-31; their five losses came against teams with a combined mark of 41-9.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (9-1, 5-1 SEC): Much has been made of junior quarterback Tyler Wilson and an explosive offense that leads the SEC in passing, total offense and scoring. But the play of the year for the Razorbacks – and maybe in the SEC – came on special teams last week, when Joe Adams eluded six would-be Tennessee tacklers for an electrifying 60-yard punt return for a touchdown. Adams earned SEC special teams player of the week honors. Wilson threw three more touchdowns last week and ranks second in the SEC with 18.

EXTRA POINTS

1. A win Saturday gives Arkansas its first unbeaten home season since 1999.

2. Mississippi State ranks third in the SEC in red-zone defense.

3. Arkansas leads the all-time series 14-6-1, having won nine of the past 10 meetings.

PREDICTION: Arkansas 31, Mississippi State 13 – With so much to play for, the potent Razorbacks won't slip up.