ARKANSAS VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE: HOW WE SEE IT

CLAY HENRY, HAWGS ILLUSTRATED It’s Austin Allen or bust after Cole Kelley got in trouble the morning after the LSU game. That took one of the controversies off the table for fans. Allen has another week to strengthen his shoulder. It might help some, but the Bulldogs are just better. Mississippi State, 34-13

DUDLEY E. DAWSON, HAWGS ILLUSTRATED A Mississippi State team that took Alabama to the wire might have a bit of a letdown, but not enough for Arkansas to get the win. Mississippi State, 35-21

MATT JONES, WHOLE HOG SPORTS Arkansas’ weakness along the offensive line could be exposed against a Mississippi State defensive front that is among the SEC’s best with an All-America candidate in the middle. But the real problem is on the other side of the ball. This has been a highlight-reel game for Dan Mullen’s quarterbacks. Dak Prescott and Nick Fitzgerald accounted for 1,013 yards and 13 touchdowns in the last two meetings, and there is little reason to think the Razorbacks will fare much better this time. Mississippi State, 41-17

TOMMY CRAFT, ESPN ARKANSAS State’s Nick Fitzgerald is one of the nation’s best dual-threat quarterbacks. He has 13 rushing touchdowns, 13 passing touchdowns. The Arkansas defense struggles against this type of quarterback. Mississippi State, 38-19

BO MATTINGLY, SPORTS TALK WITH BO The Bulldogs sacked Jalen Hurts five times last week and became the first to score three touchdowns on a Nick Saban-coached Alabama team. That does not bode well for the Razorbacks, who struggle to protect the passer and don’t stop the run well. Without a massive letdown by State, Arkansas will have a hard time sticking around for four quarters. Mississippi State, 37-17

BART POHLMAN, SPORTS TALK WITH BO The idea of a team struggling the week after playing Alabama doesn’t apply if the next opponent is not very good. That’s what Mississippi State will find out this week. It might be another slow start, but once the fourth quarter rolls around Arkansas will be out of striking distance. Nick Fitzgerald will have a field day against the UA defense. Mississippi State, 38-17

HARRY KING, HAWGS ILLUSTRATED Similar to LSU, the Bulldogs might have a post-Alabama hangover. But, Nick Fitzgerald is more than capable of a second straight big game against Arkansas. Mississippi State, 28-21

CHIP SOUZA, NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE It will be interesting to see how the team responds to the dismissal of Jeff Long and the effect it will have on the program moving forward. Could it be an “usagainst-the-world” motivation? I’m not sure even that would make a big difference at this point. Mississippi State, 31-10