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At least technically, Mississippi State is a better program than Arkansas as it stands on this day, November 3, 2021.
The Bulldogs were always always bound to return to recent form. The Bulldogs have had just two losing regular seasons in the last 12 years. Barring an utter collapse, it will be 13. These aren’t the Mississippi State teams of the 2000s.
Coach Mike Leach was hired in Starkville the same time Sam Pittman was hired in Fayetteville. The two programs have practically mirror images since. Both teams are 5-3 this year. Both teams have two wins over ranked opponents this year. Both teams went 3-7 last year and qualified for a bowl game.
Saturday’s game is just a tiebreaker, a test of which of the two programs has the smallest of edges in the ultra-competitive SEC West.
The Bulldogs are doing offensively what Leach-coached teams do offensively: they throw a lot and they throw well. What’s been the biggest surprise, however, has been the defense. Mississippi State is No. 4 in all of FBS in stopping the run. Granted, they’re in the low 60s against the pass, but that isn’t exactly terrible.
An MSU win on Saturday would clinch bowl eligibility and make the sledding tough for Arkansas to reach .500. Games at home against Alabama and on the road against LSU are unlikely to be expected Razorbacks win. Beating Missouri in the season finale would have to occur for the Hogs to reach 6-6 under that scenario.
Mississippi State has FCS Tennessee State left to reach six wins. It’s going to happen.
But a victory over Arkansas would be about more than this season in Starkville. It would be a stamp that the Bulldogs remain ahead of the Hogs in the SEC pecking order.