Arkansas just missed out on a bowl game last year with a 5-7 record. Dropping a winnable game to Mississippi State is something that still sticks with the Razorbacks.

Players have talked throughout the week of exacting revenge against the Bulldogs for the 31-28 loss in Starkville, Miss. They seem to regard this year's game as a chance for payback.

That's not necessarily something that's coming from Coach Bobby Petrino..........[more]

Off the usual late game-week, hay-is-in-the-barn questions typically asked Bobby Petrino, the Arkansas coach fielded a different one Thursday regarding how Jerico Nelson was recruited.

Sophomore outside linebacker/safety Nelson comes into Saturday's 11:20 a.m., SEC-TV televised, SEC West game against Mississippi State in Little Rock off a dynamic defensive 12-tackle performance in last Saturday's 56-20 victory over Troy in Fayetteville.

An unimposing looking 5-10, 205-pounder from Destrehan, La., Nelson was a late addition to Petrino's first Razorbacks' recruiting class after the coach arrived at Arkansas in December 2007.

"I was actually gone on the road recruiting," Petrino said. "Some of the coaches were watching video and we got a phone call from a guy that was committed to another school. His name was Jerico Nelson. He wanted to visit and was interested in us. And wanted to know if we would have a scholarship for him. I said, 'Well, things work two ways. If we have to commit a scholarship, then he has to commit that he's coming.' That was the first part I knew about Jerico.".........[more]

All eyes in the state of Arkansas are on Ryan Mallett, and they have been ever since he stepped on campus two years ago. Now, eyes from across the nation and the NFL are starting to also focus in on the 6'7" monster of a quarterback.

When Mallett transferred to Arkansas from the University of Michigan he became the hot topic in the Razorback Nation, and has been ever since. High expectations were thrown on Mallett before he ever took a snap in a Razorback uniform, and before he ever took a snap in a Wolverine uniform, for that matter..........[more]

Arkansas hasn't faced a defense like Mississippi State, Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said in reply to a question Tuesday.

He also noted the Razorbacks won't necessarily fully face Mississippi State faces.

"They'll do a lot of unorthodox things in the secondary," Paul Petrino said of the Bulldogs (4-6, 2-4) meeting coach Bobby Petrino's Razorbacks (6-4, 2-4) in Saturday's 11:20 a.m., SEC-TV televised, SEC West game in Little Rock. "They'll have their corners line up way tight inside with their back turned to you. They just do some different things in the secondary that you don't see very often. Just a little bit different."

Apparently the Bulldogs' corners get turned in time to defend the pass.

"Nobody has really tried to throw the ball on them much," Paul Petrino said. "Everybody they've played on film seems like they have just lined up and ran the ball. So a lot of times they got nine guys around the line of scrimmage. We've got to make sure they have to defend the whole field. If they do that, we definitely are not going to just run the ball all day.".........[more]

Ronnie Wingo Jr.'s burst of speed sure looked familiar.

It's too early to start any Darren McFadden comparisons, especially for a freshman who doesn't even start, but Wingo's 83-yard touchdown on a screen pass last weekend turned plenty of heads. It was the Arkansas running back's second long scoring play of the year.

"It all starts with the blocking. With everyone out of the way there is nothing left to do but run," Wingo said. "I feel very confident in my speed and I feel like no one can catch me once I get moving."

Wingo has carried the ball only 37 times in a crowded Arkansas backfield, but he's shown occasional flashes of what could be in store. His 62-yard touchdown run capped a blowout win over Texas A&M last month, and his big play Saturday night was a highlight in a 56-20 victory over Troy..........[more]

The Southeastern Conference's most potent offense doesn't belong to Florida or Alabama, the league's two national title contenders.

The league's top quarterback, statistically? Not Tim Tebow. Not Greg McElroy.

No, both such league leaders are hiding away in Fayetteville, Ark., with Arkansas' offense in its second season under coach Bobby Petrino and its first year with quarterback Ryan Mallett.

For Mississippi State (4-6, 2-4 SEC), which must beat the Razorbacks (6-4, 2-4) Saturday to have any shot at a bowl game, it's an intimidating challenge.

"We have our work cut out for us," MSU coach Dan Mullen said. "... You look at this team that we're playing, they lead the league in offense. Very explosive. The ability to score points. I'd say their quarterback is the best passing quarterback we've faced so far this year.".........[more]

It goes without saying that Mississippi State senior running back Anthony Dixon has had a stellar season, but I’m going to say it anyway.

He’s meant everything to the Bulldogs, and I’m not sure how many games over and above that Jackson State contest that they would have won without him. Remember, he was suspended for that game.

I still have a hard time believing he didn’t make the final 10 for the Doak Walker Award.

Just look at the Alabama game last week. Dixon’s 140 all-purpose yards in the 31-3 loss were the most an opposing running back has managed against the Crimson Tide this season, and they’ve faced some pretty good backs..........[more]

Anthony Dixon has just two games remaining in his college career. Well, three, if Mississippi State can get to a bowl game.

And that's what the senior tailback will be stressing to his teammates this week as they prepare for Saturday's game against Arkansas in Little Rock.

"I don't know how much they believe right now, but I guess we'll find out these next couple days in practice," Dixon said. "But you know I'm going to try to get them to believe 100 percent. I think our team knows that we're good enough to play with anybody, good enough to beat anybody. But just playing with them isn't going to get it."

Said coach Dan Mullen: "Our team still has a lot to play for this year. We've got to come out and try to find a way to play one of our better games this Saturday.".........[more]

The Razorbacks have a cornerback and a defensive tackle with questionable availability against Mississippi State Saturday, but at least their defensive coordinator should be coordinating.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said Monday it can be better ascertained during the week if cornerback David Gordon (foot injury) and defensive tackle Zach Stadther ("tweaked knee," Petrino said) will be sufficiently recovered from injuries during last Saturday's 56-20 victory over Troy to play in Saturday's 11:20 a.m., SEC-TV televised, SEC West game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

He's already ascertained defensive coordinator Willy Robinson will be on hand and believes middle linebacker Wendel Davis, withheld versus Troy because of an ailing shoulder, will play against Mississippi State..........[more]

Recently hospitalized Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson was too ill to attend Saturday night's Arkansas-Troy nonconference game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

He may still have felt less queasy than both teams' defensive staffs at the game.

Both teams offenses zoomed up and down the field, but Arkansas was the one most often in the end zone.

Thus the Razorbacks prevailed 56-20 with Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett (23 of 30 for 405 yards) equaling his Razorback record five touchdown passes while running backs Ronnie Wingo (a 16-yard run before his 83-yard touchdown off a Mallett screen pass), Broderick Green and Knile Davis accounted for three scores on the ground.

The victory advances second-year Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino's Razorbacks to a bowl-eligible 6-4 record with only SEC games left at 11:20 a.m. next Saturday against Mississippi State in Little Rock and Nov. 28 at LSU.

Reigning Sun Belt Conference champion Troy (7-3) had won seven straight before running into Mallett's arm Saturday night and a Razorback team inspired to win one for Willy and usher 14 seniors to a victorious Fayetteville farewell..........[more]