FAYETTEVILLE — When former professional wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin’s theme music begins blaring over the speakers in Reynolds Razorback Stadium, a big play is moments away.
It is a cue for Arkansas fans to cheer loudly. But above all it signifies that the Razorbacks’ defense is one stop away from getting off the field and bringing out its opponent’s punt team.
Third down figures to be a critical statistic Saturday when Arkansas faces Mississippi State in its second true home game in seven weeks. It seems inevitable that a number of the game's key plays will take place once the sounds of an electric guitar, drums and shattered glass give way to the roar of the crowd.
Third downs could determine whether or not the Razorbacks kick off the month by becoming bowl eligible.
“Yeah, it's a big deal,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “We've got to get off the field. We've been pretty good at it and they've been pretty good at it. I think that will be a big key to the game."
Mississippi State, led by quarterback Will Rogers, will come to Fayetteville this weekend boasting the No. 3 third-down conversion offense in the SEC. The Bulldogs have moved the chains on the down at a 48.2% clip (53 of 110) this season.
Only Alabama (69) and Missouri (55) have a better success rate. Mississippi State has been better on third down in four games against SEC teams (54.2%) than its three nonconference opponents (36.8%).
And in three games played on the road or at a neutral site, the Bulldogs are 22 of 43 (51.2%) on third down.
Arkansas has the conference’s No. 1 third-down defense, allowing a conversion on just 28.9% of opponents’ 110 attempts. The Razorbacks held Arkansas-Pine Bluff to 1 of 14 on third down in their last game.
They have not given up more than 5 third-down conversions in a game this season, while Mississippi State has at least 7 conversions in 3 consecutive games and in 5 of its last 6.
In wins against Vanderbilt and Kentucky, the Bulldogs were a combined 17 of 28 on third down.
“I noticed the other night (Rogers) ran the ball a few times on third down as well,” Pittman said. “But obviously we have to get them off the field. Coach (Mike Leach) has had a history of going for it on fourth down as well, but not like (Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin).
“He goes for it on fourth down and we have to be conscious of that, too, figuring out what Barry (Odom) calls on third down knowing there's a possibility he's going to go for it again.”
Additionally, Leach’s Bulldogs lead the SEC and rank sixth nationally in average time of possession — 35 minutes, 7 seconds per game. If the Razorbacks force punts, it could lead to their running game taking control.
Arkansas is second in the league in rushing, averaging 249 yards per game.
“The defense, if they get them off the field, they’re not going to lead time of possession,” Pittman said. “I don’t think that we’ll slow down because of that fact. I think we’re just going to try to score points.”