Arkansas @ Auburn preview
Jordan Hare Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 24, 2015 ) Auburn 46, Arkansas 54
Arkansas has shown a recent knack for knocking off ranked opponents - especially on the road. The 17th-ranked Razorbacks will try to continue that trend when they visit No. 24 Auburn for an SEC West matchup on Saturday.
The Razorbacks have won four of their last six overall matchups with ranked opponents and three straight on the road. The Tigers are the third consecutive ranked opponent for Arkansas, which rebounded from a 49-30 loss to top-ranked Alabama with a 34-30 win over Ole Miss last week. Auburn hopes to pick up where it left off prior to a bye last week, as it has won three straight - including triumphs over SEC West rivals LSU and Mississippi State. The Razorbacks have won three of their last five meetings with Auburn, including a 54-46 four-overtime thriller last year at Arkansas.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Auburn -10
ABOUT ARKANSAS (5-2, 1-2 SEC): The Razorbacks possess the SEC’s leading rusher in Rawleigh Williams III, who rolled up 180 yards and added a receiving touchdown against Ole Miss. Austin Allen also leads the conference in passing yards (1,861) and scoring passes (18), and is the only player in the nation with multiple touchdown tosses in seven games this season. The Razorbacks have put up mediocre defensive numbers and have struggled to stop top-flight offenses, allowing 41.3 points per game in conference play.
ABOUT AUBURN (4-2, 2-1): The Tigers’ youthful offense steadily has improved as the season has progressed, as sophomore quarterback Sean White has thrown six touchdown passes and just one interception since an uneven performance in a season-opening loss to Clemson. The sophomore tandem of Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway provides a solid one-two punch in the backfield, with each averaging over five yards per carry. Auburn’s improved defense has held six of its last seven opponents under 20 points dating to last season and has been especially tough on third down, holding opponents to a 31.5 percent conversion rate to rank 21st in the nation.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Tigers have gone three games without allowing a rushing touchdown for the first time since 2008.
2. Arkansas WR Jared Cornelius’ last 15 offensive touches have resulted in either a first down or a touchdown.
3. Auburn K Daniel Carlson has made 118 consecutive extra points, the second-longest run in program history behind Damon Duval's stretch of 125 in a row.
PREDICTION: Auburn 33, Arkansas 27