SEC Football

Ole Miss (3-4) at Arkansas (3-4)

DATE & TIME: Saturday, October 25th, 7:00 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Razorback Stadium (72,000) -- Fayetteville, Arkansas. Television: RSP-PPV. Home Record: Ole Miss 2-2, Arkansas 1-2. Away Record: Ole Miss 1-2, Arkansas 1-2. Neutral Record: Ole Miss 0-0, Arkansas 1-0. Conference Record: Ole Miss 1-3, Arkansas 1-3. Series Record: Arkansas leads, 29-24-1.

GAME NOTES: Houston Nutt returns to Fayetteville to face his former team this weekend, as the Ole Miss Rebels take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in an SEC clash. Nutt, who left Arkansas last season, is now the leader of the Ole Miss program, and his new team is 3-4 overall, including 1-3 in league play. Since shocking Florida in The Swamp a few weeks ago, the Rebels have lost back-to- back decisions by narrow margins. Last weekend, a furious comeback attempt fell just short against Alabama in a 24-20 loss, but the fact that the Rebels were able to hang tough with the nation's second-ranked team on the road speaks to the ability of Nutt's crew. Arkansas appeared to have a win in the bag against Kentucky last weekend, as the Razorbacks led 20-7 with under five minutes remaining. However, a late collapse resulted in a 21-20 defeat, dropping the club to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in conference. First-year head coach Bobby Petrino will need to find a way to rejuvenate his troops after last week's crushing setback. Arkansas owns a 29-24-1 series advantage over Ole Miss, including an 8-1 advantage in Fayetteville. The Hogs have won the last four meetings overall.

After being held in check offensively in the first half of the Alabama game, Ole Miss reeled off 17 unanswered points following the break. The Rebels finished with 359 total yards, as Jevan Snead completed 16-of-31 passes for 192 yards and one touchdown with one interception. Shay Hodge posted four catches for 64 yards and one score, while Enrique Davis paced the ground attack with 70 yards on only 11 carries. Still, the Rebels were hurt by a pair of Snead interceptions and a lost fumble. Ole Miss is averaging a solid 27.9 ppg and 378.9 total ypg this season, as the team has been able to run and throw effectively. Snead has completed 54.6 percent of his passes for 1,464 yards, and while he has thrown 10 touchdowns, he has also been victimized for 10 interceptions. Dexter McCluster leads the club with 28 catches, while Hodge is tops with 436 receiving yards and five scores. As for the ground attack, Brandon Bolden has run for 322 yards while sharing carries with several capable teammates.

The Ole Miss defense appeared to be overmatched against Alabama, yielding three touchdowns and a field goal in the first half. Fortunately for the Rebels, they turned it around in the second half and held the Crimson Tide scoreless, paving the way for the comeback attempt. Although the end result was a loss, the defense can draw confidence from its play over the final 30 minutes. Ole Miss came up with two takeaways in the tilt, but Alabama was able to make big plays through the air, scoring two passing touchdowns while averaging 13.7 yards per completion. Opponents are scoring 24.6 ppg against Ole Miss, which is allowing 339.3 total ypg. Considering that the Rebels are holding foes to 111.9 rushing ypg on 3.0 ypc, it is fair to say that run defense is the strength of the unit. Ole Miss has yielded 11 passing touchdowns while intercepting only four balls.

Arkansas was averaging just over 18.0 ppg heading into the clash with Kentucky, so the team actually exceeded that mark with the 20-point showing against the 'Cats. The Razorbacks are generating 358.1 total ypg this season, and they do have some talented performers in the mix. Michael Smith is not a household name by any means, but he has quietly posted impressive statistics, as the tailback has rushed for 791 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 5.5 ypc. Smith has proven capable as a receiver as well, hauling in 23 receptions for 250 yards and two scores. Quarterback Casey Dick, who has three rushing scores to his credit, has completed 55.8 percent of his passes for 1,505 yards and six scores, but his nine interceptions have clearly hurt the squad. Smith made his presence felt against Kentucky with a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and a 22-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. Although Smith finished with a stellar total of 192 rushing yards on 35 attempts, Dick was intercepted twice and passed for only 94 yards.

Arkansas has already surrendered 26 touchdowns to opposing offenses, including 14 on the ground. The Razorbacks are yielding 4.6 yards per rushing attempt and 12.2 yards per pass completion. Opponents are making good on over 40 percent of their third down conversion attempts, an area of concern for Arkansas. Jerry Franklin currently leads the Hogs with 54 total tackles, and Adrian Davis has five TFLs to his credit. Arkansas limited Kentucky to 88 rushing yards last weekend, but the pass defense faltered down the stretch, surrendering back-to-back touchdowns in a span of less than two minutes. The Razorbacks were able to force four turnovers in the clash and limit Kentucky to fewer than 24 minutes of possession time, but those positives were not enough to avoid defeat.

Arkansas has the advantage of playing at home this weekend, but Ole Miss has the better coach in this matchup. Expect Houston Nutt to will his Rebels to victory.

Predicted Outcome: Ole Miss 24, Arkansas 20

Web Producer- Brett Haas