Razorbacks look to solve Bulldogs’ ‘D’

FAYETTEVILLE — Though first in the nation, not to mention first in the Southeastern Conference, the Mississippi State Bulldogs rank last in SEC pass defense, a media member told Arkansas Razorbacks offensive coordinator Jim Chaney Thursday.

Really? Could have fooled him, said Chaney, preparing the offense for Bret Bielema’s Razorbacks, 4-4, 0-4, against coach Dan Mullen’s Bulldogs, 7-0, 4-0, in Saturday’s 6:15 p.m. ESPN2-televised SEC West game at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss.

“When I watch them, I don’t notice them being last in anything,” Chaney said after Thursday’s practice.

Mississippi State has trailed only 7 minutes all season, three during its 48-31 SEC victory over Texas A&M and four minutes in the 47-34 nonconference victory over the same Alabama-Birmingham team that Arkansas led 35-0 at half of Saturday’s 45-17 homecoming victory at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Chaney said no defense comes any bigger than Mississippi State or with some individuals any better. Defensive end Preston Smith, defensive tackle Kaleb Eulls and Butkus Award semifinalist middle linebacker Bernardrick McKinney are among the Bulldogs’ standouts.

“They’re the largest, most physical team up front that we’ve seen thus far,” Chaney said. “They’re just a big, physical football team.”

Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith also expressed excitement about taking on No. 1 and his players’ preparation for the task.

“I think our guys are really in tune to the opportunity we have in front of us,” Smith said. ” I think it’s been a good week of practice. Everything’s been crisp.”

Smith welcomes back starting middle linebacker Brooks Ellis, out the last two games with a deep knee bruise and subbed for by sophomore junior college transfer Josh Williams, and freshman cornerback Henre Toliver, withheld from the UAB game with a bruised back.

The defense prepares for among the best quarterback- running back combos in the country, Heisman Trophy candidate dual-threat quarterback Dak Prescott and 5-9, 215 “bowling ball” running back Josh Robinson.

On Prescott, Smith said: “I think he’s a great runner and he really forces you to commit things in the run game - people, numbers, things of that nature. But by the same token, I think he’s an accurate passer. He produces a lot of touchdowns, whether it’s through the air or on the ground. He’s just an excellent, excellent football player.”

The defense must get down to prevent Robinson from breaking upfield.

“We’ve got to be able to match his center of gravity so to speak,” Smith said. “In football the lowest man usually wins. He runs low. So we’ve got to be great benders and we’ve got to tackle and we’ve got to get him on the ground. He’s an excellent runner.”

Bielema had the Razorbacks work most of the week inside the Walker Pavilion blaring recordings of the cowbells that Mississippi State fans traditionally bring and can make it difficult for the visiting quarterbacks’ signals to be heard.

“We have got cow bells revved up on the iPod for practice simulation,” Bielema said. Allen said he feels it has worked. “It just kind of echoes and we didn’t have any issues,” Allen said.

The wide receivers are the farthest from the quarterback but Chaney said how tight ends Hunter Henry, AJ Derby and Jeremy Sprinkle is the barometer if Allen’s signals are being communicated.

“Wide receivers have to key the ball.” Chaney said. “They’re not going to hear a word the quarterback says all day.”