Arkansas is one of several teams undergoing a head coaching upheaval. But the Razorbacks have hit the jackpot, replacing Houston Nutt with Bobby Petrino. He won’t be coaching at the Cotton Bowl (Reggie Herring will); however, Petrino’s arrival has brightened the mood in Fayetteville.

The Tigers are not quite as enthusiastic after watching a berth in the national championship dissolve with a 38-17 loss to Oklahoma. The Cotton Bowl, though, remains important to a Missouri team trying to establish itself. The Tigers played well enough this year to go 9-3 ATS and finish No. 15 in efficiency; Arkansas is 7-4 ATS and No. 18, closing out the regular season with an overtime win at LSU.

Missouri will win or lose this game in the first quarter. If the Tigers come out flat, Arkansas RB Darren McFadden will take control of the game. Missouri QB Chase Daniel can’t throw TD passes if he’s not on the field.