SEC Football Week 6 predictions: Can UT beat LSU in dreaded Death Valley?

4. Arkansas football team will suffer third consecutive loss of the season

The Razorbacks have hit a bit of a rough patch in their season, losing back-to-back games against Texas A&M and Alabama. They’re in danger of losing their third in a row when they travel to Starkville to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs this week.

Expect the Hogs to have a hard time defending the air raid offense. Arkansas has been just awful defending the pass this season, giving up an average of 289.6 yards per game through the air, despite defensive back Dwight McGlothern leading all SEC football players in interceptions this season with three takeaways.

Mississippi State QB Will Rogers leads the SEC in passing yards (1,715) and passing touchdowns (19). He’s going to give the Razorbacks fits throwing the ball to his crafty wideouts, five of which have caught 19 or more passes this season. For the sake of comparison, Arkansas has just one receiver that’s caught more than 19 passes so far this season— Jadon Haselwood (24).

To make matters more complex, Arkansas may be without starting QB KJ Jefferson, who left the fourth quarter last week due to injury. Head Coach Sam Pittman said Jefferson has not practiced this week, but will likely be a game-time decision. If the Razorbacks have to go with backup Malik Hornsby or Cade Fortin, things may get even bleaker for Arkansas, who enters the game as 9.5-point underdogs.

But, even if Arkansas takes a loss, don’t panic Hog faithful. Pittman and his team have been in this exact position before. Remember last season when Arkansas lost three in a row to Georgia, Ole Miss, and Auburn? They went on to finish the regular season 4-1 and earned a trip to the Outback Bowl.

Prediction: Mississippi State 42, Arkansas 30