Apologies to Jesus

Don't mean to steal your thunder 2 weeks in a row but with a short week and a holiday week, thought I'd get this out there early. Conference games only.

PASSING

MU Off: #12 148.0 ypg
Ark Def: #11 241.4 ypg

EDGE: PUSH - Arkansas' pass defense isn't good. But neither is Mizzou's pass offense. But but but Mauk. He's improving. Yes. But so is the Arky defense.

Ark Off: #7 210.7 ypg
MU Def: #3 193.3 ypg

EDGE: MIZZOU - Arkansas' pass offense isn't very good. Mizzou's pass defense is, well we all know. The part that could give Mizzou some fits is Arky's use of the TE. In the past that's created problems for Mizzou.

RUSHING

MU Off: #5 173.14 ypg
Ark Def: #5 134.14 ypg

EDGE: PUSH - Both are middle of the pack. Mizzou will get some yards, just don't expect a ton. Again, it would be nice to see them use the run to set up the pass and take advantage of Arkansas' weakness there. Side note: Surprising to see MU's rushing offense is better than Arkansas'.

Ark Off: #9 152.86 ypg
MU Def: #1 109.29 ypg

EDGE: MIZZOU - In probably the most important match up of the game. Mizzou's defense has been absolutely stout against the run. Not only #1 in rush defense, but #1 in TFL too. Arkansas' offense centers around the ability to run. Shut it down and you shut down Arkansas.

Anyone that has ventured onto tRant lately knows that all Arkansas fans talk about are the last 2 games(remind ya of UT fans and Dobbs?). Don't blame them though. They should celebrate the wins. So I took a look at them because I didn't watch them.

Turnovers. It always seems to come back to this, but it holds true again. OM turned it over 6(that is SIX) times. 2 fumbles directly led to 2 FG's. OM had an interception returned 100 yards for a TD. That's a 14 point swing. Arky had another INT in the endzone for a touchback. 7 points missed. That's 27 points attributed to turnovers.

LSU lost a fumble in Arky territory and while not losing them, a couple of other fumbles recovered by LSU's offense resulted in big losses in yards.

So has Arkansas played well the last 2 games? Absolutely. Has their defense been as dominant as the scores might suggest? I personally don't think so, though I do give them credit for being opportunistic. OM actually outgained Arky and probably wins the game if they take care of the ball. Strange to say about a 30-0 game.

Special Teams. LSU missed 2 FG's that could have changed the complexion of the game, along with the fumble in Arkansas territory. I've bashed Baggett enough, suffice it to say that his role may be crucial in this game and he has to get the misses out of his head.

PREDICTION: Mizzou 27 Arky 23