STARKVILLE, Mississippi — Arkansas hopes to bounce back as the team heads to Mississippi State on Saturday for its second true SEC road game of the season.
The Razorbacks (4-3, 2-2 SEC) are searching for their first victory in Starkville, Miss, since 2020, when head coach Sam Pittman picked up his first career win.
"To go get another road win would be big for us," Pittman said. "Getting to 3-2 in the conference would be really big. We certainly want that, we need that, we'll work toward that because we still have Ole Miss, Texas, Missouri and Louisiana Tech... this road game is big for us, and we usually play pretty good on the road."
In a matchup that dates back to 1916, Arkansas boasts an all-time record of 18-14-1 against Mississippi State (1-6, 0-4 SEC). However, recent history has favored the Bulldogs, who have secured victories in six of the last 10 meetings.
"They've just gotten better [throughout the season]," Pittman said. "They fly to the football. They're a very physical football team... they're a scary team to go in there and play... I think [Mississippi State] will be a good team this Saturday and moving forward."
Despite Mississippi State having only one win, Pittman and the Hogs know the Bulldogs shouldn't be underestimated. They've played one of the most demanding schedules this season, including back-to-back road games against No. 5 Texas and No. 2 Georgia.
"[Mississippi State] is in every game, and they're playing extremely hard," Pittman said. "We know the cowbells will be rolling. We have a ton of respect for their football team, and we're excited to go play an early game over in Starkville."
3 keys to victory for Arkansas
Establish the rushing attack:
The Razorbacks are at their best when they establish the run. Arkansas is 4-1 in games it records at least 150 rushing yards, with its only loss coming to Oklahoma State, 39-31, in double overtime on Sept. 7.
Pittman's squad has shown two different identities this season—one is prone to mistakes and can't find an offensive rhythm, and the other controls the clock and wears down opposing defenses.
The latter comes when the Hogs can open up the running lanes, which they should be able to do against Mississippi State's defense.
Led by running back Ja'Quinden Jackson's team-high 10 rushing touchdowns, the Razorbacks rank fourth in the SEC and 13th nationally in rushing scores (20) while ranking fourth and No. 22 nationally in total offense (455.1) through seven games.
Jackson is questionable to play against the Bulldogs, but Pittman is confident Braylen Russell, Rashod Dubinon and Rodney Hill can step up in his absence.
Russell, a freshman from Benton, is expected to get the starting nod if Jackson cannot play.
"I trust all of the [running backs]," Pittman said. "But I think, let's saddle up Braylen Russell... I think he's ready to go... he's a really good player and needs some confidence. We need to get him rolling early in the game."
This week's matchup against Mississippi State is the perfect opponent on paper for Arkansas, as the Bulldogs' defense ranks last in the conference in every major category, including rushing defense. Mississippi State has allowed 1,346 rushing yards this season and is allowing 192.3 rushing yards per game.
It's an area the Razorbacks should take advantage of if they want to walk out of Davis Wade Stadium with a victory.
Score in the red zone:
In Monday's press conference, Pittman said the Hogs need to capitalize more when in scoring position.
Arkansas currently ranks 115th nationally in red zone offense, scoring on only 22 of 29 (.759) trips inside the 20-yard line.
"Our problem really... we have to quit turning the football over, and we've got to score in the red zone," Pittman said. "Those are things that have plagued us this year offensively. We're aware of that and trying to fix it."
The Razorbacks are averaging 29.7 points per game, ninth in the SEC. This means they must capitalize on all the scoring opportunities they can get.
Don't overlook the Bulldogs:
Mississippi State is playing with 53 newcomers, 28 of whom were transfers this season. This is the 12th-most in the country, as the program has had to retool its roster in head coach Jeff Lebby's first year at the helm.
With so much turnover, a rough start is almost expected, especially in the SEC, which has seven teams in the AP Top 25 college football poll.
Yes, the Bulldogs have one win this season and have lost six consecutive games, but October hasn't been that bad, given who they've played and how they've competed.
When Arkansas takes the field against Mississippi State, it will be the first time the Bulldogs face a team not ranked in a national poll in over a month.
In that span, Mississippi State suffered a 35-13 loss to No. 5 Texas, a 41-31 loss to No. 2 Georgia and a 34-24 loss to No. 14 Texas A&M.
While all three of those losses were by more than one possession, the Bulldogs' 24 points per game in SEC play are more than No. 18 Ole Miss (23.3), No. 7 Tennessee (21.5) and No. 21 Missouri (20.3).
In October, Mississippi State's passing offense also ranks fourth in the SEC in passing yards per game (274). In August and September, it ranked 11th in the SEC (243.6).
Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. and wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. are the anchors behind that offensive surge.
Van Buren leads all SEC quarterbacks in touchdown passes (6) during the month of October, while Coleman has already set career highs in receptions (44), receiving yards (536) and touchdown receptions (4).
Although the steady improvement hasn't led to wins, there's no denying the Bulldogs aren't improving, and if Arkansas isn't careful, this could be the game Mississippi State puts it all together.
Arkansas and Mississippi State take the field on Saturday. Coverage from Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., begins at 11:45 a.m. on the SEC Network.