Arkansas Football 2017: 3 Takeaways from Missouri loss in Week 13

Arkansas football won a shootout against Missouri, claiming the Battle Line trophy. What did we learn from the Razorbacks’ season finale?

Bret Bielema’s Arkansas squad was knocked out of bowl contention with a loss against Mississippi State. With his hot seat continuing to smolder and the 2017 season drawing to a close the Razorbacks were resolute to end the season on a high note.

Missouri entered the battle for the Battle Line Trophy as the hottest team in the SEC. After a wretched 1-5 start, the Tigers reeled off five straight victories to come back from a forgotten season. Head coach Barry Odom was on the same hot seat as Bielema, but a strong finish, coupled by a potential victory over Arkansas, would go a long way to keeping that momentum going into bowl season.

This “rivalry” started in earnest when Missouri joined the SEC. The Tigers became the Razorbacks’ permanent cross-division rivals, making a rivalry trophy the next step in completing the interstate struggle. The home team had won all three games in this series since then with Missouri edging Arkansas 28-24 in 2016.

Here are three takeaways from Arkansas’ narrow loss to Missouri in Week 13.

1. This offense has more upside with Austin Allen at the helm

Quarterback Austin Allen was a surprise holdout against Alabama earlier this year. His injury turned into a multiple-week absence. Backup Cole Kelly stepped in and was serviceable, but it was always clear that he was a placeholder until Allen was healthy enough to get back on the field.

Entering Week 13 the Razorbacks ranked ninth in the SEC in total offense and last in the SEC West. Both Kelly and Allen have had their struggles this season, but when Allen is playing well the ceiling is significantly higher. He didn’t have a remarkably efficient day at the office on Friday, but he was able to connect on the big plays down field. Allen completed 14-of-29 passes for 313 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

It’s hard to be too harsh on anyone under center for Arkansas. Their offensive line is in tatters and the pocket has been almost nonexistant. After allowing two more against Missouri, Arkansas has given up 35 sacks this season. That’s the most in the SEC.

Allen has taken a step back this season, but he’s still a capable SEC passer with significantly more upside that Kelly.