LSU Tigers

Arkansas is hot, surging; No. 17 LSU is not so hot, fading

Published Nov. 19, 2015 4:07 a.m. ET

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Things to watch in the Southeastern Conference during Week 12 of the college football season:

GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 17 LSU (No. 15 College Football Playoff) at No. 25 Mississippi (No. 22 CFP): Both of these teams are dealing with disappointment after recent losses. LSU has dropped two straight to Alabama and Arkansas to fall out of SEC title contention. Ole Miss had the week off following a stunning 53-52 overtime loss to the Razorbacks. The Rebels - who still harbor faint hopes of a Western Division title - have the most prolific offense in the league. LSU will try to match with running back Leonard Fournette.

MATCHUP OF THE WEEK: Tennessee running game vs. Missouri run defense: This game pits the SEC's second-ranked rushing attack against the league's No. 3 run defense. Missouri also ranks eighth among all Football Bowl Subdivision teams in total defense and fifth in scoring defense. Tennessee has averaged 210.3 yards rushing per game and has three major running threats in Jalen Hurd, Alvin Kamara and quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Missouri is allowing just 2.98 yards per carry, and Kentrell Brothers has 128 tackles to lead all FBS players.

NUMBERS GAME: Arkansas' offense has gone three-and-out on just two of its 47 possessions over the Razorbacks' last four games. ... No. 8 Florida (No. 8 CFP) earned its 700th win in program history last week with its 24-14 victory over South Carolina. ... Kentucky hasn't won a November game over a Football Bowl Subdivision team since a 10-7 victory over Tennessee in its 2011 season finale. The Wildcats are 2-12 in November games since 2012, with the lone wins coming against Football Championship Subdivision programs Samford and Alabama State.

UPSET WATCH: Tennessee's an eight-point favorite over Missouri, which has allowed just 14.7 points per game this season. Missouri is 3-0 against Tennessee since joining the SEC and should have plenty of motivation to pull off the upset in Gary Pinkel's home finale. Even if Tennessee wins the game, it could have a tough time covering the point spread against such a sound defense.

IMPACT PLAYER: Arkansas WR Dominique Reed. The Razorbacks' offense is suddenly one of the best in the SEC. One of quarterback Brandon Allen's favorite targets has been Reed, who has scored a touchdown pass in six straight games, including an impressive 52-yard catch and sprint for a score against LSU last week.

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AP Sports Writers Steve Megargee in Knoxville, Tennessee, and David Brandt in Jackson, Mississippi, contributed to this story.