By Sports Network

FACTS & STATS: Site: Razorback Stadium (72,000) — Fayetteville, Arkansas. Television: CSS. Home Record: Troy 4-0, Arkansas 4-1. Away Record: Troy 3-2, Arkansas 0-3. Neutral Record: Troy 0-0, Arkansas 1-0. Conference Record: Troy 6-0, Arkansas 2-4. Series Record: Arkansas leads, 2-0.

GAME NOTES: The Troy Trojans will step out of Sun Belt Conference action this weekend and head to SEC country to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in a non- league affair at Razorback Stadium.

This will be the third meeting between the two schools, with Arkansas winning the first two matchups.

Troy opened its year with two straight losses, but since then the team has reeled off seven consecutive wins. The most recent victory for the Trojans was a 40-20 decision over Western Kentucky. The Trojans have dealt with some issues on the road this season, and come into this contest with a mediocre 3-2 ledger away from home.

As for the Razorbacks, they are coming off a 33-16 victory over South Carolina. It was the second straight win for Arkansas, which is now an impressive 4-1 at home. After this contest the Razorbacks will close out their season with a home matchup against Mississippi State, followed by a road meeting with LSU.

The Trojans possess a very balanced attack offensively, and the success of the unit has led to a healthy 31.3 ppg. Troy is churning out 142.2 ypg on the ground. DuJuan Harris is leading the team with 408 yards and eight touchdowns, while Shawn Southward has contributed 336 yards and seven scores. The passing attack has also enjoyed success, thanks to the play of Levi Brown, who has thrown for 2,777 yards and 15 scores against four interceptions. The team’s dangerous attack took advantage of Western Kentucky. The ground game rumbled for 201 yards and the majority of the damage was done Southward, who rushed for 139 yards and four scores. Brown was also impressive in the win, as the quarterback threw for 251 yards and one score on 20-of-33 passing.

The defense for Troy has not been as impressive, mainly because the unit has struggled to defend the pass, as opponents are torching Troy for 256.3 ypg through the air. Overall the defense is surrendering 26.1 ppg on 390.2 total ypg. Troy has only forced 16 turnovers on the season, which is not a high amount, but the unit has done a slightly better job at pressuring the quarterback and heads into this game with 21 sacks. Although the Trojans were victorious over Western Kentucky, the defense had a poor showing, allowing the winless Hilltoppers to rack up 422 total yards, including 226 rushing yards. Brandon Lang led the way for Troy with 13 tackles and two sacks, while Chris Bowens added 12 stops in the win.

The Razorbacks do not get much attention in their own conference because of the talent in the SEC, but this is a very dangerous offensive unit, which is averaging 434.3 total ypg. The team is churning out a respectable 134.9 ypg on the ground, but the Razorbacks do not possess a top option out of the backfield. Michael Smith is leading the way, but with only 375 yards, while Broderick Green has rumbled for only 302 yards, to go along with eight touchdowns. The passing attack as been much better, and that is because of Ryan Mallet, who has thrown for 2,477 yards and 18 touchdowns against just three interceptions. Clearly Mallet’s favorite target has been Greg Childs, who is leading the team with 34 receptions, 652 yards and five touchdowns. In the team’s recent win over South Carolina, the offense put forth a lopsided effort, as Mallet threw for 329 yards, but finished the game without a touchdown pass. All four scores for Arkansas came on the ground, but the Razorbacks only rushed for 78 yards on 2.1 yards per tote. Green led the way with 47 yards and two scores, while Joe Adams and Mallet both scored a touchdown on the ground as well.

The Arkansas defense has not enjoyed similar success and has show quite a few holes throughout the season, mainly against the pass, as the defense is being torched for 271.1 ypg. Overall the team is surrendering a whopping 407.2 total ypg, and that has led to 26.1 ppg. In the team’s recent victory over South Carolina, the defense’s troubles against the pass continued as the Razorbacks allowed 327 yards through the air. However, the unit was able to hold the Gamecocks to just 53 rushing yards on 2.1 yards per attempt. Arkansas only forced one turnover in the win, giving the team 19 takeaways on the year. Jerry Franklin led the way with 10 tackles in the win, while Wendel Davis, the team’s leading tackler (62 stops and seven TFLs), finished with eight in the contest.

The Trojans are clearly the best team in their conference, but they are far way from the Sun Belt this Saturday. The Razorbacks have been successful at home, and should have no trouble going score for score with Troy.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Arkansas 38, Troy 24

After a lackluster and uninspired performance against Houston’s Nutt’s overrated Ole Miss Rebels, the Arkansas Razorbacks returned to SEC play and won convincingly 33-16 over the South Carolina Gamecocks Saturday.

Ryan Mallett completed 23 of 27 passes for 329 yards to lead the Razorbacks. Mallett was 12 for 13 in the second half, and the Razorbacks scored 23 unanswered points to finish the game.

Now 5-4, how Arkansas finishes the season is in their hands, as all of their remaining games – including LSU – are winnable. One more win will make the Razorbacks bowl eligible.

Make no mistake. This is a must-win week for the Arkansas Razorbacks. If they lose to South Carolina, their season is over and I believe most folks will begin to turn against Bobby Petrino. Everyone expected more at this point falling back to 4-5 at this stage is completely unacceptable. Despite an extremely tough schedule, the faithful expressed sincere hope – including myself – that we would only have lost to Alabama and Florida at this point of the season…and would be 6-2 and bowl bound.

Stay tuned. This could get interesting…really quick.

The Razorbacks made Houston Nutt’s Ole Miss Rebels look like a team bound for greatness in their 30-17 drubbing this past Saturday. After three weeks of great football by the Hogs, they fell apart at the hands of the Rebels. Here’s AP’s recap of the game:

OXFORD, Miss. (AP)—Dexter McCluster set career highs in rushing and receiving, and Jevan Snead threw for a career-high 332 yards to lead Mississippi to a 30-17 victory over Arkansas on Saturday.

Rebels coach Houston Nutt beat his former team for the second straight year.

Ole Miss (5-2, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) jumped ahead 17-0 and controlled the line of scrimmage throughout. The Rebels could have won by more if not for three turnovers.

Arkansas (3-4, 1-4) pulled to 24-17 in the third quarter when Carlton Salters caught a tipped pass for a 58-yard touchdown, but the Razorbacks couldn’t finish the rally and Ole Miss added two field goals in the fourth.

Story Link

Sports Illustrated’s George Schroeder writes in Inside College Football that Arkansas could potentially finish this season very strong. Read his article here.

Midway into Arkansas’ season, I thought it would be good to update my predictions on the rest of the season. I have picked every game with the exception of Georgia (who would have thunk it?). So here’s what I had for my updated season predictions as we go into the weekend against Ole Miss:

Oct. 24 at Mississippi – Arkansas pays Houston Nutt back for last year’s home loss, 35-28. Update: That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

Oct. 31 Eastern Michigan – Arkansas wins 45-28. Update: That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

Nov. 7 South Carolina – Tough game all the way around, Arkansas stumbles 28-27. Okay, this one is interesting. I really think it could go either way, but I’m updating my prediction and going with Arkansas, 30-21.

Nov. 14 Troy – Another shootout, but SEC strength brings it home 40-28.

Nov. 21 Mississippi State – Arkansas hits its stride and Mallett has his biggest passing game of the year, 48-21.

Nov. 28 at Louisiana State – Hogs can’t beat LSU three years in the row. Good effort, but lose 34-31.

Final Record: 8-4. Bowl bid secured, Petrino is redeemed and everyone looks at an even better 2010!

It certainly looks to be an exciting finish for the Hogs. Even if they stumble and lose two games against Ole Miss, South Carolina or Mississippi State, the absolute worse record for 2009 is 6-6 and they are still bowl bound!

Go Hogs!

The Morning News is reporting that the SEC has officially reprimanded Bobby Petrino for comments he made on his TV show about officiating of the Arkansas-Florida game. Here’s an excerpt:

SEC Reprimands Petrino
For Criticizing Officials

FAYETTEVILLE — A day after suspending an officiating crew, the Southeastern Conference turned its attention to Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino.

SEC commissioner Mike Slive reprimanded Petrino on Thursday for publicly criticizing the officiating crew that made several controversial calls that helped second-ranked Florida escape with a 23-20 win over Arkansas in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

“Coach Petrino has violated the Southeastern Conference Code of Ethics,” Slive said in a statement. “SEC Bylaw 10.5.4 clearly states that coaches, players and support personnel shall refrain from all public criticism of officials.”

Read the entire story here.

I did not hear Petrino’s comments, but whatever he said was warranted considering the sloppy calls made at the end of the game at Florida. Actually, I’m surprised he said so little! :-0

By the way, Arkansas is being picked to “upset” Ole Miss on Saturday. I’ve picked ‘em all year to beat the Rebels. Read Jay Holgate at The Bleacher Report for more here.

As the Florida game approaches this weekend, one can only hope that Arkansas can make a game of it by challenging the Gators at home. It has happened before, such as with Arkansas’ surprising victory over No. 1 ranked Texas in 1981.

Here’s a great blog post reminiscing about that victory. If only something like this could happen come Saturday!

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn discusses the Auburn offensive problems, the third quarter changes, and the inability to continue the assault in the fourth quarter in their 44-23 loss to Arkansas. Go Hogs!

Auburn football team has connections
to Arkansas, making Saturday a personal game

By ANDY BITTER
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

AUBURN, Ala. – It’s hard to get a rise out of Auburn’s straight-laced offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, even when the topic is returning to his home state of Arkansas.

Part of that’s his personality. Part of that is that he’s done it before.

This weekend will serve as a homecoming for Malzahn, though he has already paid a visit to Arkansas while a member of Tulsa’s staff last season, something he’s glad to have experienced.

“This is more of a business trip,” Malzahn said. “And the fact that I had that experience last year I think will definitely help this year.”

Malzahn hails from Fort Smith, Ark., and was a wide receiver for the Razorbacks from 1984 to 1985 when Ken Hatfield was the coach. He transferred to Henderson State in 1988 for a chance to get more playing time.

Afterward, he didn’t leave the state, building his reputation as an offensive innovator in the high school ranks, first at Hughes High, then at Shiloh and eventually Springdale, where his up-tempo scheme gained attention.

Houston Nutt hired him as an offensive coordinator at Arkansas in 2006, but a personality mismatch and differing opinions about the offense’s direction led to Malzahn leaving for Tulsa after a year.

Despite his departure, Malzahn doesn’t have hard feelings about his time in Fayetteville.

“A chance to represent them, I thought that was pretty special,” he said.

Malzahn’s not the only person in Auburn’s traveling party with Arkansas ties:

— Lee Ziemba was Arkansas’ Player of the Year by some publications coming out of Rogers High in 2007 but chose Auburn over offers from all over the country.

His parents have since moved to Nashville, Tenn., but the offensive tackle still has plenty of friends in his home state. Most of them are Razorbacks fans who already have tickets, so that won’t be a problem. Their rooting interests might be conflicted, however.

“I have some pretty good friends back there,” Ziemba said. “They love their Razorbacks but they love me also. I hope I get to see them because they’re great people.”

— Fort Smith, Ark., native Kodi Burns’ decision for college came down to the Tigers and Razorbacks. In the end, the five-star quarterback chose to leave his home state for Auburn.

“It’s always exciting to go back home,” Burns said. “Each day, it gets closer and closer and you get more anxious to play against your home state and show people that you made the right decision.”

— As the son of longtime football coach Reggie Herring, linebacker Adam Herring moved around a lot in his childhood. But when his dad settled in as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator from 2005 to 2007, Adam called Fayetteville home for 2 1/2 of his high school years at Shiloh Christian.

As an Arkansas native, Herring was allowed to make the trip with the Tigers in 2007, although he didn’t play and ended up redshirting that year. He’ll have a bigger role this time, having gotten the majority of playing time at weak-side linebacker despite being listed as a backup to Eltoro Freeman.

— Defensive line coach Tracy Rocker spent five years at Arkansas on Nutt’s staff, helping turn future NFL lineman Jamaal Anderson into an All-American in 2006. Rocker followed Nutt to Ole Miss last season before coming back to his alma mater this year.

— Safeties coach Tommy Thigpen grew up in El Dorado, Ark., a city in the northwest corner of the state. Still, he grew up an Arkansas fan.

“It’s one of those schools, kind of like Louisiana, in the sense that it’s the only school in the state,” Thigpen said. “Here at least we’ve got Auburn and Alabama as the two big schools. But there it’s just that and I was raised a Razorback until I left.”

Thigpen moved in with his father in Northern Virginia during his time in high school and, despite being recruited by Arkansas, went on to play at North Carolina.