After four straight games against ranked opponents, the Auburn Tigers will travel to Arkansas on Saturday to take on the Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
In the midst of a four-game skid, Auburn is looking for its first win in conference play. It will mark Auburn’s fourth true road game of the season, making it one of three SEC teams to play its fourth true road game and third conference road game this weekend.
Arkansas, which sits at 2-5 on the season and is winless in SEC play, is led by interim head coach and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, who served as the Razorbacks' head coach from 2008-11. He posted a 3-1 record against the Tigers during his first stint as head coach, with the only loss coming in 2010.
Auburn leads the all-time series 20-13-1 after the Razorbacks took down the Tigers on their home turf last season, 24-14. Auburn has won five of the previous six meetings in Fayetteville, dating back to 2013.
Here are the biggest things to look for in Saturday’s game:
Best on best
It will be must-see TV when Auburn’s defense takes the field in hopes of containing the Razorbacks’ offense on Saturday.
Arkansas boasts one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, ranking fourth nationally in total offense at 513.7 yards per game. The Razorbacks are currently on pace to break single-season program records for both total yards per game and yards per play (7.6). They currently rank 14th nationally in rushing offense, averaging 225.3 yards on the ground per game, and 18th in passing offense with 288.4 yards through the air per game.
With Petrino at the helm of the Razorbacks' offense, they are tied for first nationally with 151 plays that have surpassed the 10-yard mark this season. It’s in large part due to quarterback Taylen Green, who ranks first nationally in both yards of total offense (2,499) and yards of total offense per game (357.0). He has rushed for 589 yards, which is the fourth-most among all FBS quarterbacks.
So to say Arkansas’s offense is electric is no exaggeration. However, Auburn’s defense is fit to live up to the challenge.
Currently, Auburn ranks 30th overall in total defense, giving up just 316.7 yards per game. It ranks 24th nationally in scoring defense, holding opponents to 17.9 points per game. It is holding opponents under its scoring average in all seven games this season, including 12-plus points under its average in five of seven games, and has not allowed more than 24 points in any game this season.
But then… there’s worst on worst
The matchup could not be much different when roles are reversed on Saturday.
Arkansas’s defense has not had much to brag about this season. The Razorbacks rank last in the SEC in scoring defense (32.7), rushing defense (188.7) and total defense (443.9). They sit 15th in the league in passing defense, allowing 255.1 yards through the air per game.
Meanwhile, Auburn’s offense has been the Achilles heel during the Tigers’ losing streak. The Tigers rank 107th nationally in total offense and have not scored more than 17 points since the start of conference play.
Auburn has scored two consecutive opening-drive touchdowns against Georgia and Missouri, but has not been able to sustain that success through the remainder of the game. If Auburn can jump out to a hot start again on Saturday against one of the worst defenses it will see all season, and hope its own can replicate its recent success, the Tigers should be able to pick up their first win in over a month.
Will Jackson Arnold have a short leash?
If Auburn does continue its struggles offensively, head coach Hugh Freeze may have no choice but to make a move under center on Saturday.
Jackson Arnold will still be the Tigers’ starter, but Freeze mentioned on Wednesday that all three scholarship quarterbacks “will be ready to play” on Saturday.
Ashton Daniels, who Freeze planned to redshirt this season, has garnered more reps the last few weeks in practice, and Freeze said nothing is off the table regarding his redshirt status.
If Auburn can get out to a hot start and maintain it, unlike weeks past, Arnold will most likely continue as the go-to guy. Freeze wants to see that same sort of mentality out of Arnold for all four quarters.
But if not, Daniels’ path to playing time is certainly clear.
Where does Auburn go at kicker?
Alex McPherson, usually Mr. Automatic, missed three field goal attempts last week in the loss to Missouri – all of them were from beyond 38 yards, though, and he has been dealing with an illness that has limited his strength.
Freeze noted on Monday that, “Nobody in here doubts him (McPherson) or has any less belief that he’s going to make the next one.” He has routinely knocked down long-distance shots in warmups and practice.
But regardless, Auburn has to see some production from one of its kickers. Towns McGough could get another look if the Tigers have to go from distance on Saturday, but he has not attempted a field goal since Week 2 against Ball State.
With the recent offensive collapse, points are hard to come by, and if the opportunity presents itself, someone needs to be able to put three points on the board for Auburn.
Kickoff is set for 11:45 a.m. on SECN.
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