LITTLE ROCK — While much of the state was clamoring last week about the Battle of Baton Rouge, the Arkansas Razorbacks were totally focused on Tennessee.
It may not have been a methodical beat down, but big plays leading to a 49-7 victory were enough to get Volunteers Coach Derek Dooley to call it a beat down.
So there should probably be little concern that Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino won’t have his charges thinking only about Mississippi State this Saturday in the Rock.
No promises of another beat down, but the Bulldogs are coming off a frustrating 24-7 loss to Alabama.
The 17-point margin was, at least on paper, closer than Arkansas’ 38-14 loss, but the fact remains the Tide got three scores from special teams or defense against the Razorbacks.
Plus, the Razorbacks are still the only team this season to score two touchdowns against the selfish Tide defense, which ranks No. 1 in the country. If you don’t think defense still rules the SEC, LSU is No. 2, Georgia No. 4 and South Carolina No. 7, and those are the four teams atop the divisional standings in the SEC.
Mississippi State will come into the Rock trying to get bowl eligible, although it still has a shot the following week against hapless Ole Miss, which is in turmoil with the firing of its head coach, who somehow has become a headliner on message boards as a possible CBS analyst next season.
The Bulldogs have the 14th-ranked pass defense in the country but haven’t really faced a team that moves the ball as quickly and efficiently through the air as the Razorbacks.
Plus, Dennis Johnson has more than given the Hogs some balance in their attack. He’s become a ground-attack weapon who can score from anywhere on the field.
The victory over Tennessee, combined with the losses of Stanford and Boise State, bumped the Hogs to No. 6 in the BCS standings with two regular-season games to play,plus the conference championship games.
At this point, the Hogs have become an even longer shot to make it to the SEC Championship Game. They almost must have Alabama lose a game, which doesn’t appear likely.
There is a chance, although not likely, the Hogs, Crimson Tide and Tigers could end up 1-2-3 in the final BCS standings, but only two would get BCS bowl games.
One would likely be the winner of the SEC Championship Game. If Arkansas, LSU and Alabama tie for the West, the Tide would probably represent the division because of tiebreaker rules.
The second BCS bowl will go to the winner of the LSU Arkansas game, if both teams don’t lose this week.
Of course, nothing is set in stone. But one thing is certain: As of this point, in Bobby Petrino’s fourth season, the Arkansas Razorbacks have become an elite program.
No way does two years launch them to Alabama or LSU status, but it’s the closest they’ve been since Ken Hatfield left for Clemson.
However, they are definitely one of the three best teams in the SEC right now and any one of those could probably stroll to the Eastern Division title and the SEC Championship Game.
They are playing so well, one of ESPN.com’s lead writers, Ivan Maisel, is coming to the Rock to cover Saturday’s game.
Mississippi State has had a disappointing season, but playing within 17 points of the Tide gave the Dogs the second smallest margin of loss to Alabama this season. First was Penn State by 16, but the Nittany Lions now have more problems than the European economy.
Victories over Arkansas and Ole Miss would wash away any bad taste the Bulldogs have for disappointing losses to South Carolina and Auburn, games that should have been won.
As for the Razorbacks, this is truly the final home game for 17 unforgettable seniors, and if there is anyone who wants them to go out winners more than themselves, it is Bobby Petrino, who isn’t even thinking of the Battle in Baton Rouge.
Sports, Pages 21 on 11/16/2011