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Basketball State

As much as the Shiloh's & Greenwoods of the world want Arkansas to be a football state it's not going to happen.

Per capita we produce more basketball talent.

Watching Arkansas St (picked first to win sun belt) right now and on the floor they have kids from Magnolia, Blytheville, Bono, & Morrilton.

Quit griping about football and accept we the state doesn't care or produce enough talent to be relevant.

Razorbacks fumble away Battle Line Rivalry redemption

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The Arkansas Razorbacks (6-6, 3-5 SEC) have been a turnover-prone team this season and that issue reared its ugly head again in a 28-21 loss to the No. 21 Missouri Tigers (9-3, 5-3 SEC) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Arkansas turned the ball over twice — both fumbles — at a snowy Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri, and both of those directly led to Missouri touchdowns. The first happened in the first quarter, but the most impactful came near the end of the third.

After the Arkansas defense held Missouri to a field goal to maintain a 14-10 lead, starting quarterback Taylen Green and his offense set up shop at their own 33-yard line. That shop didn't stay open long, however, as running back Ja'Quinden Jackson put the ball on the turf and the Tigers recovered.

"It was very frustrating, because we had just got the ball on the 50, we go right down and score and we take the lead 14-7," Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said postgame. "They have a long lengthy drive, we hold them to a field goal, we get the ball back, two plays or one play later we give it back to them.

"Now (our) offense that had some momentum going, a team that had some momentum, had to fight their way, scratch their way back and I thought we did and we did when we took the 21-20 lead and then we couldn’t stop them."

All told, Arkansas' defense actually held up fairly well. They held Tigers quarterback Brady Cook to just 10 completions and 168 yards passing, and it's worth noting that 70 of those yards came on one busted play in the fourth quarter. But Arkansas' lack of ball security put the defense in tough situations with a short field and the Tigers were able to capitalize.

"I felt like in the first half, the defense was playing so well, if we don’t give them short field, I’m not sure what they’re going to do offensively, and we did," Pittman said. "Those are things you can’t do, but we did and gave them a little bit of life. Certainly, they figured out an unbalanced formation, how to run the football better. They started running the football better on us. We couldn’t stop it, and then, the quarterback draw obviously hurt us two or three times."

Arkansas' turnover problems didn't start on Saturday, though. It's been a constant theme in every Razorbacks' loss this season. The three fumbles against Missouri brought the Hogs' season total to 28, 13 of which were recovered by the opponent.

"It’s been a theme throughout the year," Arkansas offensive lineman Joshua Braun said after the game. "The offense needs to do a better job of putting the defense in a position to be successful. I think in the third quarter, they had a long drive, defense made an incredible stand and held them to a field goal.

"We didn’t execute the game plan as an offense to give our defense a break and we turned the ball over and gave them another short field and I think two of their touchdowns came off of turnovers. Our defense played their tails off and we’ve just got to do a better job of putting them in a position to be successful."

All six of Arkansas' losses this season featured a turnover of some kind, whether it be a fumble or an interception. The ball insecurity brought the Razorbacks problems up yet again, which was exacerbated by the snowy weather conditions Saturday evening.

"It’s very frustrating," Pittman said of the turnovers. "We work ball security every week and put an emphasis on it. It’s part of our ways we can win. Especially, we knew today with the weather how it was, whoever turns the ball over less is going to win, and that’s kind of exactly what happened."

Arkansas will now await its bowl destination, which will be revealed Sunday, Dec. 8.

Best Games Today

Looks like Tennessee and Vandy is all but over. Ohio St mich is tight as is Sc and Clemson, Kentucky finally scored on looneyville
They are gonna need one heck of a comeback Not likely to happen.
For some unknown reason I find myself pulling for South Carolina probably because I hate Clemson so much. Ohio State Michigan I don’t care either way. You got a favorite today

Know the Foe: Gaining Missouri insight with MizzouToday

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As we will do throughout this football season, HawgBeat went behind enemy lines to gain insight on the Missouri Tigers with MizzouToday Senior Editor Kyle McAreavy.

Missouri hasn't quite had the year it hoped for entering the season, but the Tigers still sit with a 9-3 (4-3) overall record with wins over teams like Boston College, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Oklahoma and Mississippi State.

Under Drinkwitz's leadership, Missouri has accumulated a 36-24 (21-20 SEC) overall record in five seasons. This year, the Tigers boast the No. 61 total offense (393.4 YPG) and No. 73 passing offense (224.6 YPG) in the country.

Here is what McAreavy had to say about Saturday's matchup, which is set to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri...

1. Who are the key playmakers to know on both sides of the ball for Missouri?​


McAreavy: "Offensively, it’s quarterback Brady Cook, receiver Luther Burden and running back Nate Noel. Cook has looked much better since returning from his wrist injury two weeks ago and has the offense humming pretty well. Burden is likely going to be one of the first receivers taken in next year’s draft, though this season has been a bit disappointing for him stat wise because the offense just wasn’t functioning at its expected level through the early part of the year. Noel has been very good when given enough opportunity. He was dealing with some injuries, too, that lowered his output for a few weeks, but has been back to his top overall performance the past two weeks.

"Defensively, edge rusher Johnny Walker Jr. is definitely one to keep an eye on. He’s by far the best pass rusher of the group and has been one of the most consistent parts of Mizzou’s defense. Linebacker Corey Flagg has been a key piece, too, and safety Daylan Carnell is the leader among the main coverage group who has been projected to possibly leave early after this season."

2. What are Missouri's biggest strengths? Biggest weaknesses?​


McAreavy: "Offensively the strength has been the run game most of the season, and the focus on running the ball the past few games has opened up the pass game in a way the Tigers were struggling with early in the season. The offensive weakness is red zone execution. The Tigers have stalled out within the 20 a lot this year and the kicking game hasn’t been good enough for that to be a viable way to win games.

"Defensively, the pass coverage has been consistently good, though has had trouble allowing big plays. It was a definite problem early in the season with a handful of long touchdowns in the first few big games, but seemed to be under control until popping back up throughout the game against South Carolina two weeks ago."

3. Where do you think the Battle Line Rivalry ranks for Missouri compared to its other rivals?​


McAreavy: "Mizzou’s No. 1 rivals is Kansas. That’s not going to change, the hatred runs deep between those schools. I definitely think Mizzou fans care more about the rivalry with Arkansas than with South Carolina out of the two yearly trophy games Mizzou plays, and having the matchup consistently be rivalry week at the end of the season has added something extra to it. But I think it’s still too young for there to be the type of animosity from Mizzou’s older Big 8 or Big 12 rivalries."

4. Are there any notable injuries to know for Missouri, and if so, how will that affect the game Saturday?​


McAreavy: "A lot of the key injuries, Brady Cook and Nate Noel especially, are far enough along in recovery to not be big issues.The Tigers lost starting center Connor Tollison for the year about three weeks ago, but Drake Heismeyer has done an admirable job filling in. And Mizzou officially lost third receiver Mookie Cooper for the rest of the year when he had surgery on Tuesday, but he hasn’t played in a month. With the question on Cooper answered, I don’t think there’s any major open injury questions right now."

5. How do you see this game playing out and can you give a score prediction?​


McAreavy: "With the projected weather forecast, there’s definitely room for weird variance, especially with the way the Tigers have struggled to tackle big runners the past couple of weeks. But I have a feeling Mizzou is going to do everything it can to have an undefeated home record for the first time since 2010 and send Brady Cook off with a senior day win.

Score Prediction: 35-24, Missouri

How to Watch, BetSaracen Picks: Arkansas at Missouri

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The Arkansas Razorbacks (6-5, 3-4 SEC) are set to finish their regular season schedule Saturday in the Battle Line Rivalry against the No. 24 Missouri Tigers (8-3, 4-3 SEC) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.

Missouri knocked off Mississippi State, 39-20, last time out, while the Razorbacks earned a 35-14 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday. The Hogs will be searching for their first ever win in Columbia, plus they'll be hoping to return home with the Battle Line Rivalry trophy.

"I think 7-5, 4-4 in the league and beating a top 25 team, a top five team, I think that would really help us in recruiting and recruiting through the portal," Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said Monday. "Obviously, we're going to a bowl either way, but I think it would be big, big to get that win. And so we're gonna try like hell to get that done."

Missouri leads the all-time series 11-4 against Arkansas, and the Tigers are a perfect 6-0 in games played in Columbia. The Razorbacks were embarrassed by Missouri and head coach Eli Drinkwitz in a 48-14 home loss in last year's regular season finale.

"We played them obviously four years and won one of them out here," Pittman said of the series during his tenure. "So that makes us 1-3. So, the first year we were out there, I think I went for two and we messed around and made it. There’s 30 or 40 seconds left and they kicked a field goal and beat us. We’ve had some good games, obviously last year was not. Was for them.

"So, it’s hard to win. You see how hard the team is playing at Missouri. I think they’re undefeated at home this year. It’s a hard place to play. They have really good fans. Just, on the road, lot of times it’s hard to go into an opponent and win. We’ve lost some games here, but Tennessee, it was hard for them to come in and win as well. It’s just hard."

BetSaracen lists the Tigers as a 3-point favorite over the Razorbacks, with the over/under on total points set at 53.5. Below are details on how to watch/stream/listen to Arkansas' game against the Tigers, plus more helpful links, betting odds, our picks and more...

How to Watch/Listen​

Who: Arkansas Razorbacks (6-5, 3-4 SEC) at No. 24 Missouri Tigers (8-3, 4-3 SEC)
When: Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2:30 p.m. CT
Where: Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field — Columbia, Missouri
TV/Stream: SEC Network/Watch ESPN (Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb, Alyssa Lang)
Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Chuck Barrett, Quinn Grovey and Geno Bell)

ML/SPREAD/TOTALS:​


Money Line:
Arkansas: +130
Missouri: -150

Spread:
Arkansas: +3, (-115)
Missouri: -3, (-105)

Total Points:
OVER 54.5, (-110)
UNDER 54.5, (-110)

Team Totals:
Arkansas OVER 24.5, (-110)
Arkansas UNDER 24.5, (-110)
Missouri OVER 28, (-105)
Missouri UNDER 28, (-115)

(Alternate lines, spreads and team totals are available on the BetSaracen mobile app.)

Double-R Props:​


~ Arkansas team 1st quarter scoring OVER 6.5: -110
~ Andrew Armstrong OVER 9.5 total targets: +175
~ Arkansas offense game opening drive - touchdown: +180
~ Devin Bale OVER 3.5 punts and longest punt OVER 52.5 yards: +125
~ Isaac TeSlaa OVER 2.5 receptions and OVER 34.5 receiving yards: +135
~ Luke Hasz OVER 3.5 receptions and OVER 27.5 receiving yards: +175
~ Rashod Dubinion OVER 9.5 rush attempts and OVER 59.5 rush yards: +200
~ Andrew Armstrong OVER 8.5 receptions and OVER 84.5 receiving yards: +300
~ Arkansas offense game opening drive - field goal: +350
~ Ja'Quinden Jackson OVER 11.5 rush attempts and OVER 74.5 rushing yards: +350

HAWGBEAT'S PICK​

Each week, HawgBeat will list a few picks that look favorable based on trends and statistics throughout the season.

Devin Bale OVER 3.5 punts and longest punt OVER 52.5 yards (+125)​


Say what you want about Arkansas' special teams as a whole, but Devin Bale has been on a tear this season.

The former Northern Colorado transfer has punted 34 times this year for 1,518 net yards, good for a 45.8 average. He's punted at least four times in only four games, but he's done so in the Razorbacks last three outings. Not only that, but he's punted for a long of over 52.5 yards in seven games.

With the possibility of snow Saturday and because Missouri boasts a top-25 total defense (314.0 yards allowed per game), plus Arkansas' recent offensive struggles, I believe Bale will have his opportunities to punt and I think he has the leg to get the yardage.

Arkansas drops final game of season to Missouri

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The Arkansas Razorbacks (6-6, 3-5 SEC) lost another game in which they had a fourth-quarter lead Saturday as the Missouri Tigers (9-3, 5-3 SEC) won at a snowy Faurot Field, 28-21, on Saturday.

Arkansas held a 21-20 lead with two minutes remaining, but a 30-yard touchdown run by Missouri quarterback Brady Cook and a subsequent two-point conversion put the Hogs behind 28-21. Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green engineered a drive that gave the Hogs a chance, but it ended with an incomplete pass and zeroes on the clock.

Bobby Petrino's offense turned the ball over three times, which turned out to be the difference in the game. Green fumbled on the Hogs' first two drives in the first quarter, the latter of which resulted in Missouri points as the Tigers ran in a touchdown.

The third and final turnover of the game came late in the third quarter. Arkansas running back Ja'Quinden Jackson coughed up the ball at the Hogs' 33-yard line, and the Tigers capitalized once again to take a 17-14 lead.

Despite that turnover, Jackson was one of the only reasons Arkansas even had a chance against the Tigers. He scored all three Arkansas touchdowns and rushed for 87 yards on 18 carries.

Along with the turnovers, Arkansas struggled in the penalty category as well. The Hogs were penalized 10 times for 72 yards, and two of those directly led to a Missouri touchdown.

After Green's second fumble of the first quarter, Arkansas forced a fourth down on the Tigers' drive, but an offside penalty gave Missouri another chance. Then, After forcing an incomplete pass, a defensive pass interference call in the end zone on Arkansas gave the Tigers first-and-goal from the two-yard line, and Tigers running back Marcus Carroll pushed the ball across for another score.

Despite the snowy conditions, neither offense seemed to have trouble moving the ball down the field. Arkansas finished the game with 377 yards (229 passing and 148 rushing) and gave up 361 (168 passing and 193 rushing) to the Tigers.

Check out some of the highlights from the loss below, courtesy of the official Arkansas X account...

Ja'Quinden Jackson finds the end zone on the ground​


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Ja'Quinden Jackson gives Arkansas the lead with a rushing score​


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Ja'Quinden Jackson scores his third touchdown of the game​


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