FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will wrap up its 2023 season when No. 9 Missouri visits Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Friday at 3:00 p.m. Central, and you can watch it on THV11!
The Hogs enter the regular-season finale as 7 1/2 point underdogs against the Tigers. Arkansas is 5-16 against ranked opponents under head coach Sam Pittman (2020-2022) and is looking for its first win over a ranked foe in four tries this season.
Here's what you need to know ahead of kickoff.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Arkansas (4-7, 1-6 SEC) cannot qualify for a bowl. However, the Razorbacks have more motivation than usual for a 4-7 team after athletic director Hunter Yurachek announced that Pittman would return in 2024. On the other sideline, No. 10 Missouri (9-2, 5-2 SEC) has won seven of the nine meetings for the Battle Line Trophy since the schools have played as permanent rivals. Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said he isn't worried about his team overlooking Arkansas, even with nothing but a trophy to really play for.
The Tigers are looking to improve their bowl destination and could win 10 regular-season games for the first time since 2014.
KEY MATCHUP
Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson vs. Missouri defense. Jefferson set career records for yards passing and passing touchdowns last week in leading the Razorbacks to a win over Florida International. When he has time, Arkansas' offense has been fair. But the Razorbacks have surrendered 42 sacks, the worst mark in the SEC. Missouri ranks fifth in the 14-team SEC with 30 sacks.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arkansas: RB Isaiah Augustave was the fifth-string running back at the start of the season. But Raheim Sanders and Rashod Dubinion were lost for the season with leg injuries against Florida International last week, and the freshman stepped into primary duties. He ran for 101 yards on 14 carries after having only six carries up to that point.
Missouri: RB Cody Schrader leads the SEC and is seventh in the FBS with 1,272 yards rushing. In his second season with the Tigers after transferring from Division II Truman State, he will face an Arkansas defense that allowed more than 350 yards on the ground in its last conference game against Auburn.
FACTS & FIGURES
- Pittman had faced questions about his job security as recently as Sunday morning before athletic director Hunter Yurachek released a statement that Pittman would keep his job at least until the beginning of the 2024 season.
- Drinkwitz graduated from Arkansas Tech and was offensive coordinator at Springdale High, about 10 miles north of the University of Arkansas, before starting his collegiate coaching career.
How to watch
Coverage from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville begins Friday at 3:00 p.m. Central on THV11. Rich Waltz and Aaron Taylor will be on the call, with Amanda Guerra reporting from the sidelines.
THV11 contributed to this report