History of MSU vs. Arkansas

When you think of State getting dominated by one school, LSU immediately comes to mind. But really, Arkansas has been just as dominating for the last decade and a half. MSU has let this series get away from them, the Razorbacks lead it 15-6-1.

Prior to Arkansas joining the SEC in 1992, State only played them twice....both of them were MSU wins, and played in Memphis, TN.

Once the Hogs joined the SEC, State continued to play them well - a 10-3 win in '92, a 13-13 tie in '93, and a 17-7 win in '94. That brought MSU's lead in the series to 4-0-1. Since then, however, it has been pretty one-sided. Three straight Arkansas wins until magic in 1998.

Mississippi State vs. Arkansas, 1998 (via BulldogOzzy)

(when you get to the game on Saturday be sure to pick up a program, our own Winstoncounty's finest - Robbie Faulk - has a feature on that game you'll want to read).

Since 1998, State has only won one time - 2008 - Croom's last win. The last 5 games in Little Rock/Fayetteville have been pretty one-side contests, but the games in Starkville have been pretty close. Here's a rundown...

2000 - Mississippi State was all the way up to #13 in the country and had a 16-game home winning streak. They took a 10-0 lead in the 1st quarter and it carried over into a 10-3 lead going into the 4th quarter. UPig, who had a 5-5 record, tied it up and the game went into overtime where MSU got the ball second, down 17-10. The Bulldogs got the ball all the way down to the 1 yard line, but Dontae Walker was stopped at the goal line to end the game.

2002 - This was my freshman year of college and I remember the game well. State was bad - a 3-7 team vs. Arkansas' 7-3 team. The game started out rough and State was down 26-6 in the 4th quarter. That's when my stupid buddies and me acted like fairies and left the game early (a cardinal rule, broken). We got back to the dorm and listened to Jack Cristil tell us how Kyle York was bringing the Dawgs roaring back. They cut the deficit to 26-19 and we sprinted back to the stadium to see the closing minutes. State got the ball to the Arkansas 19 with under a minute left, but turned it over on downs and the game was over.

2004 - Two pretty mediocre teams met up in this one. The Bulldogs got off to a hot start and took a 14-0 lead. But they let Matt Jones and Co. come back in the 2nd quarter and it was 17-14. But right before the half, Omarr Conner's 83-yard drive to the one yard line ended when the ref stood over the ball and allowed the clock to expire. It was terrible, and MSU ended up losing 24-21.

2006 - This was one of the most beautiful days, as far as weather, I've ever experienced in Starkville. It was so perfect I was just sitting in the stands enjoying the weather as much as the game. Coming off the Alabama win, State really outplayed #5 Arkansas (who won the West that year) - they had a 355 to 256 edge in total yards, more first downs, time of possession, etc. They even held Darren McFadden to only 84 rushing yards. But two big plays in the 1st quarter sealed the deal - a pick six and 92 yard kickoff return for a TD by McFadden. MSU held tough and went into halftime 21-14, but ultimately lost 28-14.

2008 - This is the lone MSU victory in the last 14 years. In a matchup of two bad teams, Croom beat Petrino. Anthony Dixon hit his career high (at the time) with 179 yards and State won 31-28. Arkansas actually scored a touchdown with :25 to go, recovered an onside kick and were able to attempt a 46 yard field goal, but Alex Tejada missed it.

2010 - #13 Arkansas vs. #21 Mississippi State. This was a fun shootout, MSU held their own with Bobby Petrino's high-powered offense led by Ryan Mallett, Knile Davis and a bunch of top-flight receivers. State was down 31-21 in the 4th quarter but they came back to tie it and sent the game into overtime. In the 1st OT, Vick Ballard nearly scored a touchdown but Jerico Nelson forced a fumble which bounced out of the endzone for a touchback. ARK missed a FG to send it to double OT....there Davis scored a TD and the MSU offense were unable to convert a 4th down to end it.

2012 - Hopefully a win for Mississippi State.