GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Arkansas returns to action on Saturday against Florida, needing to win out to secure bowl eligibility. The Razorbacks are riding a six-game losing streak and are 0-5 all-time against the Gators in Gainsville, Fla.
Here's what you need to know ahead of kickoff.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Arkansas has lost six in a row, with five of those being by seven points or less. Meanwhile, Florida can become bowl-eligible for the second consecutive year under coach Billy Napier. With a November schedule that includes No. 13 LSU, 14th-ranked Missouri and No. 4 Florida State, the sixth victory might need to come against the Razorbacks.
KEY MATCHUP
Arkansas' anemic offense versus Florida's porous defense. The Razorbacks rank 122nd in the nation and last in the league in total offense, averaging 305.9 yards a game. Coach Sam Pittman fired offensive coordinator Dan Enos following a 7-3 loss to Mississippi State on Oct. 21 and turned play-calling duties over to receivers coach Kenny Guiton. The Gators are giving up more than 406 yards and 32 points a game over their last four, and will now be without leading tackler Shemar James, who had season-ending knee surgery Wednesday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arkansas: Preseason All-American RB Raheim "Rocket" Sanders returned to practice this week and could be back on the field in Gainesville, about 170 miles north of his hometown. Sanders, who ran for 1,443 yards and 10 TDs last year, has been limited to three games this season because of a knee injury.
Florida: Freshman WR Eugene "Tre" Wilson has 25 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns in his last three games, including a career-best 11 receptions against top-ranked Georgia last Saturday. He's become one of the team's top playmakers.
FACTS & FIGURES
Arkansas is playing its final road game of the season. … New OC Guiton was a QB at Ohio State (2010-13) and has served as a receivers coach at Colorado State, Louisiana Tech and Houston. … Arkansas has scored on 23 of 24 trips (95.8%) to the red zone this year, with 16 touchdowns and seven field goals. That ranks second in the SEC. … Florida will wear black uniforms for the first time to honor members of the armed forces, veterans and local first responders. … The Gators are 4-0 at Florida Field this season and have won six straight dating to last year. … Florida has scored in 444 consecutive games, an NCAA-record streak that began in 1988.
How to watch
Coverage from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainsville, Fla., begins at 11:00 a.m. Central on ESPN2. Roy Philpott and Roddy Jones will be on the call, with Taylor McGregor reporting from the sidelines.
You can catch postgame coverage on THV11's Hog Zone after Saturday's 10 p.m. newscast.