There’s more at stake than meets the eye: The winner likely escapes the SEC West cellar and, in the Razorbacks’ case, preserves a shot at bowl eligibility.
Just when Ole Miss looked to be turning things around on offense, things came crashing down against LSU and quarterback Shea Patterson was lost for the season in the process. Arkansas, meanwhile, already has had to do without starting quarterback in Austin Allen for the past two weeks. Ole Miss’ Jordan Ta’amu and Arkansas’ Cole Kelley might end up making this the Backup Bowl.
The rivals from neighboring states met regularly even before Arkansas joined the SEC for the 1992 season.