Missouri Tigers at Arkansas Razorbacks: Prediction, kickoff time, TV, betting line
The details
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. Friday
Where: War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, Arkansas
TV: CBS
Betting line: Missouri by 12 1/2
Radio: KMBZ (98.1 FM)
Prediction
On Monday, Mizzou coach Barry Odom was still stressing how important a sixth win would be against Arkansas. Early in the week, it still would’ve meant a third straight year of bowl eligibility and one last game with his current team.
But the NCAA’s denial of Missouri’s infraction appeal changed everything — now, win or lose in Little Rock, the Tigers are officially banned from the looming postseason. That leaves Friday as a game between two teams below .500 with no bowl implications.
While Mizzou’s been through a rough stretch, Arkansas has had it worse. The Razorbacks have dropped eight straight, their last win coming way back on Sept. 14. They also along the way lost head coach Chad Morris to a firing and Barry Lunney Jr. has taken over on an interim basis. They can’t score or defend and are creeping toward their worst scoring margin ever.
Missouri’s been through its own slump. The Tigers are riding a five game losing streak after previously dreaming of an SEC East division title. The Tigers are banged up, too.
We’ll say Missouri wins this one comfortably. A victory would be a shred of positive vibes in an otherwise long week for Mizzou fans. It would also help Odom’s case amid questions about his job security.
Missouri 28, Arkansas 10