Missouri, one win from East title, hosts Arkansas

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Markus Golden isn't concerned about the size of Arkansas' offensive line.

"We know they're some big boys, but we know we have speed," the Missouri defensive end said. "We're ready to stop the run. That's what we're going to be ready to do."

The 17th-ranked Tigers (9-2, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) host Arkansas today, needing a win to capture their second consecutive SEC East title. Should they lose, Georgia would instead play in the league championship game in Atlanta on Dec. 6.

The Razorbacks (6-5, 2-5) average 226.2 yards rushing behind the strength of their offensive line, which weighs 328.4 pounds per player. Jonathan Williams reached 1,000 yards rushing last week, while Alex Collins needs just 35 more to do the same.

Missouri, for its part, has allowed an SEC-low 109.3 yards rushing per game in conference play and leads the league this year with 40 sacks, including a combined 22 from Golden and Shane Ray.

"Bigger doesn't mean more physical," Ray said. "Whatever they throw at us, we're going to come full speed, as fast and as strong as we can. That's how we played all year and that's how we're going to keep going."

Arkansas shut out LSU on Nov. 15 and Mississippi last week after losing its previous 17 games against SEC opponents. The Razorbacks face a question mark at quarterback, though, as Brandon Allen missed the second half against the Rebels with a right hip injury.

Coach Bret Bielema said the junior, who has thrown 16 touchdowns and five interceptions this season, returned to practice Tuesday and is on track to start. Freshman Austin Allen would start if his older brother cannot play.

"As far as playing good football, I think we're playing as good as anybody," Bielema said. "I would be very surprised if we didn't go over there and play very, very well and give people something to think about."

Here are some other things to know about the matchup:

• Cleaning it up: Missouri committed 12 penalties last week at Tennessee and averages 7.9, the most in the SEC. The Tigers started two drives from inside their own 10-yard line against the Volunteers because of fouls on special teams, while the offensive line has been flagged for nine false starts and two illegal shifts in its last two games. "It's all focus," center Evan Boehm said.
• Trending upward: Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk threw four interceptions against Georgia on Oct. 11, but only two in five games since. He's also thrown seven touchdown passes in that span, including two in the fourth quarter last week at Tennessee.
• Holding on: Arkansas leads the SEC in time of possession (34:00) and converts 47.4 percent of its third downs. After struggling offensively earlier this season, Missouri has possessed the ball an average of 33:51 in its last four games thanks to a simplified playbook and a greater ratio of rushes to passes. Whichever team can wear down the opposing defense first figures to have the advantage.
• Tough schedule: All eight of Arkansas' SEC games this season have come against opponents ranked in the top 20. With their last two wins, though, the Razorbacks are bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011. "I think our bye week was ranked No. 7," Bielema joked. "The neat thing about it is this is exactly why I came here."
• Home cooking?: The Tigers have won their last 10 games on opponents' home fields, but lost to Indiana and Georgia on Faurot Field this season and didn't look sharp against Kentucky or Vanderbilt.