Fluff Bothwell injury update: Arkansas vs. Mississippi State Friday availability report revealed

Arkansas and Mississippi State will clash this Saturday afternoon in a battle of two winless teams in conference play. The Razorbacks are coming off three straight SEC losses by nine points or less following Sam Pittman‘s dismissal, while the Bulldogs blew a 38-21 fourth quarter lead against Texas last Saturday.

While this is not a rivalry by any stretch of the imagination, this will be the 34th consecutive meeting between the two. Divisions within the SEC meant they played as West opponents, dating back to 1992. And even when the conference moved off them, they decided to keep this matchup for two seasons.

Arkansas dominated last year’s game 58-25 thanks to five passing touchdowns and one rushing score from quarterback Taylen Green. Heading into the game however, there are some injuries to deal with. Both teams have multiple names popping up on the SEC injury report released on Friday night.

Arkansas Razorbacks

OL E’Marion Harris – QUESTIONABLE
OL Caden Kitler – QUESTIONABLE
WR Jalen Brown – OUT
RB AJ Green – OUT
WR Monte Harrison – OUT
DL David Oke – OUT
TE Andreas Paaske – OUT
DB Quentavius Scandrett – OUT

Mississippi State Bulldogs

CB Jett Jefferson – OUT
OL Albert Reese IV – OUT
OL Brennan Smith – OUT
OL Blake Steen – OUT
DL Will Whitson – OUT
WR Jaron Glover – OUT

Setting the stage for Arkansas vs. Mississippi State

Arkansas has been through plenty already this season. A mid-season firing is never easy for a program, especially when Sam Pittman is the one being let go. But the Razorbacks felt the need to make a switch and put Petrino in charge in the meantime.

On3’s Pete Nakos recently provided an update on where the Arkansas coaching search stands. You can get all of the latest information here.

Mississippi State finds itself in a different situation, halfway through Jeff Lebby‘s second year. The Bulldogs won four straight to start the season, including a victory over No. 12 Arizona State. Since then, the losses have begun to pile up. Letting Texas pull off the massive come-from-behind victory extended the streak to four losses. Now, the overall record sits at .500.

Lebby is still in search of his first-ever win as an SEC head coach. His total tally comes in at 0-12, four this season and eight in 2024. Struggles were expected in Starkville, but the fanbase is craving a defining win in the near future. 

Good news however is in the cards for Miss State this weekend, as running back Fluff Bothwell was listed as probable on Thursday. Bothwell, who has rushed for 465 yards and six touchdowns this season, looks to be on track to return after missing the past two games.

Going on the road and beating Arkansas can get the ball rolling for the Bulldogs. On the flip, Petrino needs to stack together a few results to help his case for the interim tag to be taken off. Both teams rank in the bottom five in the conference in yards allowed per game, so this one could turn into a shootout in Fayetteville.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.