The Arkansas Razorbacks host the Missouri Tigers for a Week 14 matchup on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The Tigers are listed as 3-point road favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at O/U 55.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction, and best bet for this matchup between these two SEC opponents.
Missouri vs. Arkansas prediction, preview
Missouri Preview
The Tigers let their season slip away after having a real chance to make the College Football Playoff. After starting the season 6-1, the Tigers have lost three of their past four games. Part of that was a step up in competition, as well as an injury to quarterback Beau Pribula. Pribula returned last week against Oklahoma, but struggled against one of the nation’s best defenses in his first game back. The clear bright spot of Missouri’s season is the exceptional play of Ahmad Hardy. Hardy ranks second in the nation in rushing yards and has been one of the standout performers in college football all season.
Arkansas Preview
It has been a frustrating season for Arkansas. The Razorbacks are the only team in the SEC yet to win a conference game. Head coach Sam Pittman was fired earlier in the season, and while the team continued to produce on offense, the defense never recovered. This is one of the easiest teams in college football to analyze. Arkansas has one of the best offenses in the nation, ranking third in the SEC in yards per game. Meanwhile, they have one of the worst defenses in the country, ranking last in the SEC in total defense by a significant margin. Quarterback Taylen Green is capable of hanging with any team in the conference, but the defense has prevented them from winning an SEC game.
Missouri vs. Arkansas pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is for Missouri to cover as 3-point favorites. The Tigers are a much more complete team than Arkansas. The Razorbacks have a dreadful defense, both against the run and the pass. They rank 112th in the nation in defensive EPA/rush and 128th in defensive rushing success rate. Ahmad Hardy, one of the nation’s best running backs, should dominate them on the ground. Beau Pribula struggled in his return against Oklahoma, but his dual-threat abilities should have success against Arkansas’ horrible defense. Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz just announced he would be signing an extension at Missouri, amid rumors that he could take the Florida job. That morale boost should have the team fired up to win this rivalry game and take some momentum into next season.
