Two SEC teams still looking for a first league win meet under the lights in Nashville. Arkansas (2-4, 0-3) visits Vanderbilt (3-3, 0-3) at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, and the winner keeps bowl hopes very much alive.
Arkansas insider Bubba Fayette-Dorsey calls the Hogs before every stat. He's encouraged by last week's 24-17 battle with Tennessee and by the connection between KJ Jackson and Chris Marshall, who has 605 receiving yards. Vanderbilt insider Penelope "Pippa" Ashcroft writes a country song about every game. She admits last week's 52-17 loss to Ole Miss was a sad song but likes Jared Curtis and Junior Sherrill to make a hit tonight.
Vanderbilt has some injuries: backup quarterback Blaze Berlowitz, lineman Mitchell Smith and receiver Kahden Smith are out, and safety Dontae Carter is doubtful. Edge Brian Allen Jr. and defensive lineman Hayden Bray were upgraded to probable. KJ Jackson is expected to start for Arkansas. ESPN rates the teams about evenly, so home field should matter.
Our call: Vanderbilt 27, Arkansas 23.