Arkansas running back Michael Smith didn't practice Tuesday, raising more doubts about his status for Saturday's home game against Ole Miss.

Freshmen De'Anthony Curtis and Dennis Johnson got the bulk of the carries in practice, and the two of them will be counted on to pick up the slack if Smith isn't available this weekend.

Smith, the Southeastern Conference's leading rusher, missed the final minutes of last Saturday's 21-20 loss at Kentucky after suffering a concussion. He finished with 35 carries for a career-high 192 yards and one touchdown.

"I sure want him to be available, but we just don't know," Arkansas running backs coach Tim Horton said about Smith's status. "Of course, (Tuesday) he didn't do anything at all, and we'll just have to kind of wait and see."

Junior Brandon Barnett, who has carried the football only twice this season for zero yards, also got limited work in practice.

But Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino sounded confident that Smith could be over his concussion in time to play Saturday night.(quote razorback central)

I really hope Smith is able to play. I'll be there rooting the Hogs on to victory!

Smith practiced yesterday, so hopefully thats a good sign that he will be available for Saturday's game.

Roll call! Who's gonna be there with me? I'm going to the Red/White basketball game Friday night and then the football game Saturday. A full Razorback weekend!

Not I said the Duck! No seriously Duke I hope you enjoy your weekend and hope the Hogs crack the Nutt!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN OLE MISS HAS THE BALL

QB Jevan Snead is tied for the SEC lead in TD passes (10) and ranks third in passing average (209.1 ypg) and fourth in total offense (214.6 ypg). Shay Hodge is tied for the SEC lead in touchdown catches with five and ranks first in yards per catch (20.8) and fourth in receiving yards per game (62.3 ypg), just ahead of teammate Dexter McCluster in fifth (61.7). As a receiver, McCluster is fifth in the SEC in receiving yards per game (61.7 ypg) and sixth in receptions (4.0 per game).

Freshman LB Jerry Franklin leads the Arkansas defense with 54 total tackles, while junior DT Malcolm Shepard has posted 30 tackles with six TFLs, three sacks and six QB hurries. Elton Ford led the team with ten tackles at Kentucky, while also hauling in one interception. Ford is second on the team in tackles with 44. Adrian Davis has five TFLs and three sacks on the season.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN ARKANSAS HAS THE BALL

NT Ted Laurent leads the team and is tied for fifth in the SEC with 7.0 TFLs. In just four games, Greg Hardy has taken over the team lead in sacks with 3.5 and has 4.5 TFLs. DT Peria Jerry posted season highs of seven total tackles and three TFLs at Alabama. He also notched a sack, forced fumble and QB hurry. Jamarca Sanford ranks fourth in the SEC in tackles per game(8.7) and is the league's active career leader (266 total stops).

QB Casey Dick has completed 126-of-226 passes with six TDs and nine interceptions. Sophomore WR D.J. Williams has collected 28 passes for 315 yards and a pair of scores. Junior RB Michael Smith has garnered 144 of the team's 234 rushing attempts this year and has responded with an SEC-leading 791 yards (131.8 per game).

SPECIAL TEAMS

Mike Wallace is averaging 139.5 kickoff return yards per game over the last four games, and three of those performances ranked among the top-11 single-game totals in school history, including the best ever. K Joshua Shene was perfect on Saturday, converting both PATs and connecting on a 35-yard and 25-yard FG. He is 9-for-10 on field goals this year, missing only a 47-yarder against Vanderbilt.

Jeremy Davis is averaging 42.3 yards per punt, while landing ten inside the 20 yard line. His longest punt of the year covered 58 yards. Shay Haddock is 5-6 on field goals this season. Dennis Johnson has returned 25 kickoffs for a 21.8 yard average, while Smith is the leading punt returner at 8.8 yards per return.

SERIES/GAME NOTES
Record: ARK, 30-23-1 • Last: ARK, 44-8 (2007 at Oxford)

This game will mark the 55th meeting all-time between Ole Miss and Arkansas dating back to 1908... Ole Miss records show the Rebels trailing the series 24-29-1, while Arkansas' records indicate a 30-23-1 advantage for the Razorbacks... Arkansas claims a forfeit victory in a 1914 game that Ole Miss won 13-7... The two teams met almost yearly from 1937-1969 before the series took a hiatus until 1981... The two schools have played yearly since then, and Ole Miss is 9-17-1 against Arkansas since the series resumed...Arkansas holds a 10-6 edge since it joined the SEC in 1992 and have taken four straight.
(quote week 9 previews)

Here's a couple of amazing stats considering...

Michael Smith is the 7th best RB in the nation with 131.83ypg

Ole tick's top back is Brandon Bolden with 45.00ypg


J. snead
att comp % ya TD int rat ypg
185 101 54.6 1464 10 10 128.11 209.1

c. dick
226 126 55.8 1505 9 6 112.49 215.0

Here's hoping the Hogs make it 5 straight over the rebels.

C'mon Bassmaster, can't you come up with anything better than that.

Ole Miss wins. Both teams xxxx.

I guess not Sumo but I have to say I love your Avatar! Where did you get it?