Game Information
Missouri Tigers (7-4) at Arkansas Razorbacks (2-9)
Time: 2:30pm CT Saturday
How to watch: SEC Network
DraftKings Odds
Spread: Mizzou -4
Total: 55.5
The Missouri Tigers wrap up their regular season today in Fayetteville against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Tigers have fewer distractions to deal with in this game with Eli Drinkwitz confirmed to be returning as head coach.
Even still, some are questioning Mizzou’s motivation heading into this one - but I don’t buy it. If that was going to be an issue, I think it would have shown up in the Mississippi State game after the Tigers were eliminated from CFP consideration the prior week.
A fair criticism of Drinkwitz is that he hasn't won enough big games. But one thing he’s done well is he doesn’t lose games like - at least over the last three years since Missouri took the next step as a program.
Mizzou has lost 9 games since the start of the 2023 season, and all of those defeats have come against ranked teams. The Tigers are undefeated against unranked teams during that time.
Drinkwitz gets it done against bad teams, and Arkansas is a bad team at 2-9 overall and 0-7 in the SEC. The Razorbacks can score, but Mizzou’s terrific defense should be able to neutralize them and hold them down to an extent.
The Missouri offense should be able to find success because this Arkansas defense is horrific. The Razorbacks rank dead last in the SEC in points allowed and yards allowed. They don’t get any pressure on the quarterback, ranking last in passing yards allowed and second-to-last in sacks.
Arkansas can’t stop the run either, ranking second-to-last in rushing yards allowed. The only SEC team worse against the run is Mississippi State, and we saw what Ahmad Hardy did to them racking up 300 yards on the ground. I think what we’ll see today will resemble the Mississippi State game where the Tigers feed Hardy and establish the run to help set up the pass.
While some are questioning Missouri’s motivation, I think Arkansas is the team that is cooked. Interim head coach Bobby Petrino was referencing the effort of his players not being there last week at Texas where the Razorbacks gave up 52 points.
I think the Tigers roll here and win by at least two scores.
Pick: Mizzou -4 at -112 on DraftKings (bet to -6.5)
Eric Sontag hosts Domesticated Gamblers every Wednesday night on the STL Sports Central YouTube channel. Follow him on X @GamblingDads, and click here for his daily picks on all of our St. Louis area sports teams. Get Eric's picks for all sports by following him in the Action Network app with the username "esontag". Disclaimer