OVERVIEW:

Arkansas (13) and Ole Miss (17) will meet in The Grove this Saturday in an SEC West showdown. Both teams are coming off their first losses of the year falling to #1 Alabama & #2 Georgia. I’m looking forward to seeing how both sides bounce back after blowout losses. I do expect this game to be fairly high scoring with both teams having 30+ points when the clock hits zero.

ARKANSAS OUTLOOK:
Arkansas has to play better all around, but especially the offense. It’s always interesting to see how offenses respond after being shut out. The offensive line looked like a junior high unit last week. The penalty yardage was laughable. I expect to see some changes this week as I’ve heard rumblings of freshman Jalen St John getting more and more snaps as the week carries on. It’ll be something to watch for up front.

The Hogs should be able to run the ball effectively on the Rebels as they gave up 210 yards last week, and three of their four games Ole Miss has given up at least 140 on the ground. A good rushing team is always hard to beat, if Arkansas can set up the run early, Treylon Burks should be in for a career day. I would really love to see AJ Green and Rocket Sanders get some more touches. It seems like we are destined for a big play when one of those freshmen has the ball and some space. I would like to see Briles turn KJ Jefferson loose and let him show off his arm. If we can move the ball on the ground, I expect some big chunk plays from KJ.

Defensively Arkansas looked lost last week… Georgia RB’s were running all over us, often not getting touched until breaking into the secondary. The run defense will need to be light years better or it’ll be another long game. Arkansas did force seven turnovers last year, with Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral throwing six interceptions. I have heard from multiple sources starting Ole Miss running back Jerrion Ealy has been ruled questionable, however we will know come Saturday. If Ealy is indeed ruled out, that should ease some headache for the Hogs and really make Ole Miss air it out even more than normal. I’m expecting some turnovers as much as Ole Miss likes to mix things up. If we can control the line of scrimmage, while also limiting the big plays I think the D will set the tone for the game.

THE NITTY-GRITTY:

Arkansas will have to look like a different team this week to have a shot. Inexcusable penalties, poor special teams, and no defensive line presence will have the Hogs heading back to Fayetteville 4-2. This is one of the first bad losses of the Pittman era, but I wholeheartedly believe we will bounce back as strong as ever. Coach Pittman said earlier in the week “We are doing things right, we just have to do them better.” and “ I’ll be damned if Georgia makes us lose this Ole Miss game.” when the Pitt-boss talks I listen!
Arkansas is a 5.5 underdog and rightfully so! Ole Miss is a solid team but I expect the Hogs to bounce back and prevail, I’m hammering the Hogs ML this week!

PREDICTION: Arkansas: 38 Ole Miss: 35

Written by Devon Sexton (@pigsooienation)