Arkansas @ Mississippi State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 19, 2011 ) Mississippi State 17, Arkansas 44

Mississippi State, which has dropped three straight games and fallen out of the Top 25, tries to bounce back at home Saturday against Arkansas. The Bulldogs peaked at No. 12 after starting 7-0 against a soft schedule before consecutive thumpings by Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU by an average of 25.3 points. The Razorbacks' disappointing season under coach John L. Smith continued with a 38-20 defeat to South Carolina last week, but they would share fourth place with the Bulldogs in the SEC West with a victory Saturday. After the Bulldogs allowed 38, 38 and 37 points in its three losses, respectively, this will likely provide a more accurate barometer of just how good Mississippi State is – its three SEC victories are against teams with a combined 0-20 league mark. The Bulldogs are already eligible for a third straight bowl under Dan Mullen, while the Razorbacks would have to win out to qualify.

TV: 12:21 p.m. ET, SEC Network, ESPN3. Line: Mississippi State -6.5

ABOUT ARKANSAS (2-4, 4-6 SEC): Senior WR Cobi Hamilton has stood out as one of the few bright spots and Monday was named one of 10 finalists for the Biletnikoff Award. Hamilton has already set single-season school marks with 73 catches and 1,149 receiving yards. He's been the top target for senior QB Tyler Wilson, who holds 27 school records and needs just 313 yards to surpass Ryan Mallett as Arkansas' all-time passing leader. Wilson found 10 different receivers in throwing for 277 yards, two TDs and two picks versus South Carolina. He's benefited from an offensive line that's allowed one or no sacks in seven of the team's 10 games, led by Alvin Bailey and Travis Swanson, who have started all 36 of their collegiate football games.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (7-3, 3-3 SEC): Like the Razorbacks, the Bulldogs have done much of their offensive damage through the air with a quarterback named Tyler. Junior QB Tyler Russell broke the single-season school touchdown record by tossing his 17th in last week's 37-17 loss at LSU, and he's 173 passing yards away from that season mark too. Senior WR Chad Bumphis added to his career school record by grabbing his 20th TD reception against LSU. He needs 18 catches to tie David Smith's all-time MSU mark of 162 set in 1970. Senior DB Johnathan Banks is the first Bulldog to be named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award honoring the top defensive player of the year. Banks has four interceptions and a fumble recovery this year, and is third among active FBS players with 16 career picks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arkansas leads the series 15-6-1 and has won nine of the last 10, including a 44-17 home romp last season.

2. The Bulldogs are tied for eighth in the nation with a plus-12 turnover margin; Arkansas is near the bottom, tied for 115th (minus-13).

3. Razorbacks true freshman LB Otha Peters made his first career start against South Carolina and led the team with eight tackles.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 33, Arkansas 27