Arkansas @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 17, 2009 ) Arkansas 20, Florida 23

With all eyes focused on Tyler Murphy in his debut at quarterback, it was tailback Matt Jones who stole the show rushing for a career-high 176 yards to pace Florida over Kentucky a week ago. The No. 19 Gators and their new-look backfield host Arkansas in an SEC showdown on Saturday. Florida expects a lively, sellout crowd for its first night game in nearly two years at "The Swamp."

The Razorbacks couldn't keep up in a shoot-out with Johnny Manziel and ninth-ranked Texas A&M last week dropping their SEC opener 45-33. While they might not have to put up as many points this week, Arkansas has never had much success against Florida losing eight of their nine previous matchups. Their last game was in 2009 when then-No. 1 Florida needed a field goal with nine seconds left to pull out a 23-20 win.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Florida -10.5.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (3-2, 0-1 SEC West): The Razorbacks have dropped two straight after a soft opening schedule, and their powerful rushing game will get a stern test from Florida's top-ranked run defense. Led by the combination of Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams, Arkansas has seven 100-yard rushing performances on the season, by far the most in the conference. Collins was the first freshman since Adrian Peterson to begin his collegiate career with three straight 100-yard performances.

ABOUT FLORIDA (3-1, 2-0 SEC East): The Gators enter the contest ranked second in the nation total defense but could be without star lineman Dominique Easley and cornerback Marcus Roberson, both of whom are battling knee injuries. Replacing Jeff Driskel, who broke his leg, Murphy completed his first 13 passes last week and finished 15-for-18 for 156 yards. The highly-touted Jones, who has battled a long-lasting viral infection, seems to have finally wrested the role of feature back from Mack Brown who entered the last week's game the team's leading rusher.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Florida DT Damien Jacobs raised a stir earlier in the week when he labeled the Arkansas offensive linemen "dirty."

2. Arkansas is fourth in the nation in time of possession holding the ball for over 33 minutes a game.

3. Florida has an interception in seven straight games.

PREDICTION: Florida 28, Arkansas 24.