Position by position matchups

LITTLE ROCK — OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Jeremiah Masoli is growing more comfortable each week with Ole Miss’ schemes, and it’s showing in the Rebels’ results, with 107 points combined the past three games. Masoli’s running prowess is substantial (50.3 yards per game). He ranks seventh in the SEC in total offense (205.8 ypg). Masoli produced 190 passing yards and 104 rushing against Vanderbilt last week, so the Hogs will have to prove they can tackle him. Arkansas found out last week that behind Ryan Mallett, one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, resides a gamer in Tyler Wilson, who threw 4 touchdown passes against Auburn while completing 15 of his first 17 throws. Mallett still ranks fifth nationally with 307.3 passing yards per game and seventh with a 168.1 passer rating, despite playing one quarter last week. He’s suffered no after-effects from his concussion, according to Coach Bobby Petrino, and should make his 20th consecutive start.

Running backs

Ole Miss’ Brandon Bolden is a 215-pounder who averages 6.4 yards per carry and is likely to get a workout today. Bolden (86 carries, 550 yards, 5 TDs) ranks fourth in the SEC in rushing (91.7 ypg) and is also the team leader with 15 catches. He has three 100-yard rushing games this year, including 228 with 2 TDs vs. Fresno State. The top backup is true freshman Jeff Scott (27-158, 1), while Enrique Davis (41-144, 3) is coming back from arthroscopic knee surgery after week 4. Arkansas’ Knile Davis (44-294, 1) made a case for showcaseback status with his 91-yard effort last week on the heels of an 82-yard game vs. Texas A&M. He’s averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Broderick Green (68-220, 2) is at 3.2 per carrry and his disputed fumble was a critical play in the loss at Auburn. Ronnie Wingo Jr. (16-96, 1) is averaging 9 yards per catch, a figure that includes his 19 receptions for 219 yards and 4 scores. Considering Ole Miss is going to crank up its blitzing, Wingo’s skills in the passing game will again come into play.

Receivers

The Rebels’ top three receivers — Markeith Summers (13 catches, 255 yards, 2 TDs), Melvin Harris (13-195, 3) and Jesse Grandy (11-149, 1) -— have the same number of receptions combined, 37, as Arkansas’ top pass catcher, Greg Childs. It’s a difference in philosophies, as Ole Miss is 90th in passing. Summers averages 19.6 yards per catch and Harris is at 15.0. Summers did not have a reception against Alabama last week, but he had 5 for 165 yards, with a 70-yard score against Tulane. Childs (37-527, 5) had a phenomenal game at Auburn as his rise continues. The junior is second in the SEC with 87.8 receiving yards and 6.2 receptions per game. Joe Adams (28-495, 4) has had his yards per catch drop to 17.7, but he’s still making big plays. Tight end D.J. Williams (26-279) needs to reach the end zone, as does Jarius Wright (17-298), who is at 17.5 yards per catch. Cobi Hamilton (12-181, 2) has run hot and cold. Redshirt freshman Lance Ray got more reps last week and produced his first career reception.

Line

A Mike Markuson-coached offensive line is going to be aggressive and physical, and that’s the case with this Ole Miss crew, despite its inexperience and some shuffling. The unit has to be one of America’s tallest, averaging 6-5, 307 pounds. A.J. Hawkins, the center before suffering a stinger, missed last week and will return at guard, where Logan Clair is out with a chipped bone in his ankle. The center is now true freshman Evan Swindall, who is making his second start. The group blocks for the SEC’s No. 2 rush offense (215.5 yards per game) and is allowing one sack per game, so its formidable. Arkansas went from five false starts to zero in one week, so that’s a plus. The quintet of DeMarcus Love, Ray Dominguez, Wade Grayson, Alvin Bailey and Travis Swanson blocks for the nation’s No. 2 passing offense (366.3 ypg) and No. 10 total offense (480.0) and its run-blocking looked improved last week.

DEFENSE

Line

Jerrell Powe, a 320-pound tackle, (11 tackles, 41/2 tackles for loss, 1 1/2 sacks) is still around for Ole Miss, and Powe posted 1 1/2 sacks vs. Alabama last week. Powe and tackle Ted Laurent (11, 2 1/2, 1 1/2) do a good job of tying up blockers and pushing back the pocket. The end position, where Kentrell Lockett has been lost with a knee injury, is manned by 6-5 Gerald Rivers (10, 2 1/2, 2 1/2) and 6-6 Wayne Dorsey (8, 2, 1). The Rebels have the No. 23 rush defense (113.0 yards per game) in the nation. Arkansas’ defensive front looks to rebound from a largely fruitless outing at Auburn, led by ends Damario Ambrose (15, 3 1/2, 2 1/2), Tenarius Wright (15, 3 1/2, 3) and Jake Bequette (17, 5, 4), who posted no defensive stats against the Tigers. They’ll be in chase mode again this week against Jeremiah Masoli. Freshman tackle Byran Jones (20) is quietly having a banner season, and he practiced all week after an apparent leg injury at Auburn. Jones works in a rotation with D.D. Jones (19, 2 hurries), Alfred Davis (15, 1 1/2 TFL, 1 sack), Lavunce Askew (10, 2 1/2 TFL), Pat Jones (2) and recently reinstated Zach Stadther.

Linebackers

Jonathan Cornell (45 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 sacks) is the man in the middle for the Rebels and he’s having a big season. Allen Walker on the strong side (37, 3 1/2, 2) has forced a couple of fumbles. Joel Kight (22, 2, 1) is undersized on the weak side, but the 5-9, 225-pounder might remind Hogs fans of a productive Sam Olajubutu. D.T. Shackleford (23, 41/2, 3) has three hurries as the backup in the middle. Rebels defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix asks for a lot of snaps out of his starters. The same is expected of Arkansas middle linebacker Jerry Franklin (47, 6, 2 1/2), who rarely comes out of games. Arkansas’ group must do a better at finding and hitting Jeremiah Masoli and Brandon Bolden than it did last week. Jerico Nelson (37, 4 1/2 TFL) and Anthony Leon (37, 8, 2 1/2) are tied for second in tackles. Among the backups, the most work has gone to Ross Rasner (16, 5, 2), Terrell Williams (12) and Jermaine Love (8).

Secondary

Five members of the Ole Miss secondary rank among the team’s top seven tacklers, led by free safety Damien Jackson (43, 3 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups) and strong safeties Fon Ingram (34, 1 1/2 TFL) and Johnny Brown (25, 2 TFL, 5 PBU). Backup corner Charles Sawyer (30, 1 fumble recovery) has the team’s only interception. Ole Miss and New Mexico State are tied for last nationally with one interception. The Rebels are No. 99 in pass efficiency defense. Marcus Temple (29, 1 TFL), also a corner, has 2 PBU and 2 fumble recoveries. Temple and Jeremy McGee (18, 3 PBU) are listed as the starting corners. They’ll all be tested by Arkansas’ prolific passing attack. Arkansas cornerback Ramon Broadway (31, 6 PBU), a team captain, has promised a more focused performance from the entire defense Saturday. Safeties Tramain Thomas (29, 2 ints., 2 fumble recoveries), Rudell Crim (28, 2 int., 1 fumble recovery) and Elton Ford (17, 1 TFL) will have to be sure tacklers on quarterback runs. Isaac Madison (16, 2 PBU) and Darius Winston (6, 1 PBU) continue to battle at cornerback opposite Broadway.

Special teams

There hasn’t been much excitement from either of these kickoff return units. Ole Miss is No. 97 with a 19.4-yard return average, while Arkansas is No. 112 (18.3). Ole Miss’ Tyler Campbell is No. 19 nationally with a 44.69 punting average, but the Rebels are just No. 105 nationally with a 33.07 net punting average. Kicker Bryson Rose is 7 of 9 on field goal attempts for Ole Miss, with a long of 41 yards. But he’s 1 of 3 on attempts between 30-39 yards. Arkansas’ problems with kickoff return and kick coverage were exploited to great advantage by Auburn last week. The Hogs worked on kick returns more than normal this week. Kicker Zach Hocker has made 5 of 6 field goal attempts, with a long of 48 yards and he’s 24 of 24 on extra point attempts. Dylan Breeding’s 44.2 punt average is fourth in the SEC and 25th nationally. However, Arkansas is No. 67 in net punting (36.17), a figure hurt by its six touchbacks, which is tied for most in the nation.

Intangibles

It’s no secret Ole Miss Coach Houston Nutt has a passion for whipping his team up into big performances in key games, so don’t expect the same Ole Miss team that lost at home to Jacksonville State and Vanderbilt on the field today. Nutt is 2-0 against his ex-team. Bobby Petrino doesn’t play the emotion game publicly, preferring a workmanlike nose-to-the-grindstone approach each week. The Razorbacks downplayed the return of Nutt during the week, but there’s no doubt they’d like to strike back for the first time on him. The emotion of Arkansas fans, now that’s another matter. They’re sure to be on open throttle today, despite the early morning wake-up call. Ole Miss needs a victory for its long-term bowl health, and the Razorbacks need to crank up a winning streak for its big-bowl hopes.

Key matchup

Arkansas’ defensive speed and tackling prowess vs. the run game of Ole Miss

It’s difficult to forget how successfully the Rebels collapsed Arkansas’ edges last year and shredded the Hogs off-tackle. Dexter McCluster is no longer on the Ole Miss roster, but Brandon Bolden (above) and Jeremiah Masoli are capable.