Arkansas @ Vanderbilt preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 30, 2010 ) Vanderbilt 14, Arkansas 49

THE STORY: Pass-happy Arkansas rode a strong rushing performance to its sixth victory last week. The eighth-ranked Razorbacks hope to continue solidifying their ground game Saturday when they travel to Vanderbilt. Last week, running back Dennis Johnson churned out a career-high 160 yards rushing as the Razorbacks rallied from a 17-0 deficit to beat Mississippi 29-24. Vanderbilt also found its running game last week, using a career-high 198 rushing yards from Zac Stacy to throttle Army 44-21. Quarterback James Rodgers made his first start, passing for 186 yards and rushing for another 96 as the Commodores finished with 530 yards of total offense and snapped a three-game losing streak. The Razorbacks leads the all-time series 6-2, winning five of the past six.

TV: SEC Network. LINE: Arkansas -12.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (6-1, 2-1 SEC): The Razorbacks rank ninth in the nation in passing yards (334.3), but stumbled through the first quarter and a half against Ole Miss. Arkansas scored fewer than 38 points for the first time this season, as quarterback Tyler Wilson completed a season-low 13 passes for 232 yards and no touchdowns. But Wilson rushed for two scores during the comeback, during which Arkansas scored 29 unanswered points. One trouble sign: the Arkansas defense gave up 370 yards to an Ole Miss team ranked 116th in the nation in total offense.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (4-3, 1-3 SEC): As good as Arkansas’ passing has been most of this season, the Commodores have been just as inept, ranking 11th in the SEC in passing offense per game. Rodgers completed just 10 of 27 passes with one touchdown and two interceptions against Army, but completed two passes of more than 40 yards and averaged 5.3 yards per carry. The Commodores have scored 72 points in their past two games after not scoring a touchdown in losses to South Carolina and Alabama.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arkansas is off to its best start since going 10-1 in 2006.

2. Stacy’s 198 rushing yards last week were the third-most in school history.

3. A victory would give the Commodores five home wins, a number Vandy hasn't reached since 1974.

PREDICTION: Arkansas 31, Vanderbilt 17 – The Commodores will keep it close most of the way, but Arkansas has too many weapons and will pull away.