The Missouri Tigers are 8-3 with one game remaining in the regular season. The team that stands between Missouri and nine wins is the Arkansas Razorbacks. 

Rounding out the regular season with a game against Arkansas is nothing new for Missouri. Last year, the teams met in Week 14 in Fayetteville, Ark. This game was all Tigers, as Missouri recorded 48 points.

Despite beating Arkansas 48-14 last season, the Tigers should not let their guard down when they meet in 2024. Both Arkansas and Missouri are not the same teams they were last season.

Last season, the Razorbacks were 4-8 and sixth in the SEC West. On the flip side, the Tigers sat in second place in the SEC East with a record of 6-2 in conference play.

Currently, Missouri sits at eighth in the entire Southeastern Conference with a conference record of 4-3. This is a backward movement, as the Tigers have one more loss this season than last. Arkansas sits 11th with a conference record of 3-4. Unlike Missouri, this is an improvement from a year ago when the Razorbacks were 1-7 in SEC matchups.

Arkansas racked up six wins this season with one game to go, another improvement from last season’s four wins. The biggest win this year came against Tennessee, as the Volunteers were ranked No. 4 in the country.

In its clash with Tennessee, Arkansas played well to hand the Volunteers their first loss of the season. Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green threw for 266 yards and completed 70.4% of his passes.

Green has thrown for 200-plus yards in seven games this season. The quarterback also has 13 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions. His mobility is an asset for Arkansas, as he ranks second on the Razorbacks in rushing yards this season with 468.

Another element of the team that shined against Tennessee was Arkansas’ running game. The Razorbacks scored both of their touchdowns on the ground. One of these rushing touchdowns came when Arkansas was trailing 14-3 and running back Ja’Quinden Jackson carried the ball for a 2-yard score.

Jackson is a talented running back, as he leads the Razorbacks in rushing yards with 703. He also has a career-high of 12 touchdowns this season.

Although they have improved since last season, the Razorbacks are still considered underdogs against Missouri.

However, part of the reason the Tigers beat the Razorbacks the last time they played was running back Cody Schrader. Schrader rushed for 217 yards and scored one touchdown. As he left the team for the NFL, Missouri will have to find a way to win without Schrader. 

Missouri quarterback Brady Cook can look to impact players like running back Nate Noel and wide receivers Luther Burden III and Theo Wease Jr.

Shutting down those players will be key to an Arkansas upset. The last time these teams played, Burden was held to 55 receiving yards on six catches. 

With its defense, Arkansas could succeed in an upset. The team’s defensive efforts will be led by linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. Sorey has a team-high 84 total tackles, as well as two sacks and an interception. 

Another defensive standout is defensive back TJ Metcalf. Metcalf leads the team in interceptions with three and is tied on the team in pass deflections with seven.

Missouri’s offense will try to outplay the Razorback defense and claim a victory at home. A Tiger win would mark Missouri’s third straight over Arkansas. The sold-out regular-season finale will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2:30 p.m.

Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com