Arkansas @ Ole Miss preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 22, 2014 ) Mississippi 0, Arkansas 30

Ole Miss earned the No. 18 spot in the first College Football Playoff rankings when they were released on Tuesday but may have the best chance of any team in the back half of the top 25 to make a move. The Rebels will try to boost their stock when they host Arkansas on Saturday.

Ole Miss owns a win over No. 4 Alabama, and its only two losses came against No. 10 Florida and No. 13 Memphis. The Rebels still control their own destiny in the SEC and would win the West and clinch a spot in the conference title game if they were to win out by virtue of their victory over the Crimson Tide. The Razorbacks are standing in the way and are not to be taken lightly after putting up a total of 117 points in back-to-back wins. Running back Alex Collins set a career high with five TDs in a 63-28 win over Tennessee-Martin last week but will be going up against an Ole Miss defense that held opponents to 19 points or fewer in each of its last four triumphs.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Ole Miss -11

ABOUT ARKANSAS (4-4, 2-2 SEC): The Razorbacks needed four overtimes to reach 54 points in a win over Auburn but leaned on Collins for 173 yards on 16 carries last week. The junior is 40 yards shy of 1,000 on the season and found the end zone at least once in each of Arkansas’ first eight games. Collins provides a nice compliment to quarterback Brandon Allen, who has accounted for six touchdowns (one rushing) in the last two contests.

ABOUT OLE MISS (7-2, 4-1): The Rebels were blanked 30-0 by the Razorbacks last season, and coach Hugh Freeze is looking forward to another chance at that defense. “I’m a competitor and an offensive coach,” Freeze told reporters. “As soon as we were able to turn our attention from Auburn, that was on my mind. I like getting another shot at that. It motivates me.” The Razorbacks forced then-Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace and the offense to commit six turnovers in that loss, and current signal-caller Chad Kelly is having some difficulty controlling the ball with seven interceptions in the last three games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell has recorded at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in four straight games.

2. Collins ran for 79 yards and a score in last season’s meeting.

3. The Rebels lead the SEC in scoring average (39.4 points) and total offense (519.6 yards).

PREDICTION: Ole Miss 35, Arkansas 17