FAYETTEVILLE — If you think Arkansas looks like a different team under first-year coach Sam Pittman in 2020, you're not alone.
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin shares the same opinion and said his 1-2 Rebels will have their hands full during Saturday's scheduled game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
The Razorbacks (1-2) had a 20-game losing streak in conference games following their 37-10 loss to Georgia in the season opener, but have competed well against ranked teams on the road the past two weeks.
Arkansas defeated Mississippi State 21-14 a year after the Bulldogs won their matchup by 30 points, and lost a controversial 30-28 decision last week at Auburn, which defeated the Razorbacks by 41 last year.
"We’re playing a really good team," Kiffin said Wednesday during the SEC coaches' call. "I kind of wish they were like last year, but they’ve done an awesome job. They're completely different on defense — physical, running to the ball, play hard as can be, giving people problems. Offensively, very explosive with the tempo.
"Sam's done a great job."
Arkansas' defense will likely face its biggest test of the season Saturday against an Ole Miss offense that is averaging 41.7 points per game and has scored on half of its 38 possessions this year, including 17 touchdowns.
The Razorbacks have allowed seven touchdowns and five field goals on 41 possessions this season. Arkansas has also forced nine turnovers, including three on downs.
Kiffin was asked specifically about the Razorbacks' group of linebackers, which includes starters Bumper Pool and Grant Morgan. Pool is tied for the SEC lead with 36 tackles through three games, and Morgan is fourth in the conference with 33.
"They give their bodies up," Kiffin said. "They are slamming in there. Bumper Pool is a really good player. They do a great job."
Of the Razorbacks' game last week, Kiffin said, "I'm sure Auburn is counting their blessings."
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix threw a backward pass while trying to spike the ball in the final 30 seconds of the game. Arkansas did not recover the fumble timely enough, according to the SEC office, and the Tigers kicked a game-winning field goal on the next play.
SEC coordinator of officials John McDaid said this week the wrong call was made on the field when officials called the pass incomplete instead of a fumble, but McDaid defended the conclusion reached by the replay.
"It's really a shame for Arkansas to play that well, and they should have won the game," Kiffin said.