Tiger Buzz: Auburn vs. Arkansas

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Tiger Buzz: Auburn vs. Arkansas TV info, key matchups and what to watch for

By Nubyjas Wilborn | nwilborn@al.com

4 minutes

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What: Auburn (4-2, 1-1 SEC) vs No. 17 Arkansas ( 4-2, 1-2)

When: 11:00 a.m. CT, Saturday

Where: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Arkansas

TV: CBS

This game will determine...

Suppose Auburn can stay in the race for the West division title. The Tigers’ two losses came against a top-10 Penn State and now-No. 1 Georgia. Even the harshest fan can understand coming up short. A loss against Arkansas takes away a lot of the goodwill earned with wins against Alabama State, Akron, Georgia State, and division foe LSU. An Auburn win gives them two division wins headed into a bye week before hosting Ole Miss. Both teams should be motivated after Alabama’s defeat against Texas A&M last week.

Three things to look for

1. How do both teams bounce back from losses?: Arkansas is back at home for the first time since September 18′s win against Georgia Southern but is doing so on a two-game losing streak. Auburn is coming off a 34-10 loss against Georgia. The Razorbacks responded to a throttling by Georgia the prior week with 51 points against Ole Miss but losing on a failed two-point conversion. Will the Razorbacks use the narrow defeat as motivation? How will Auburn handle a road trip and an early start? Essentially, this matchup is a win-or-go-home game for the Razorbacks or Tigers. The victor lives to fight another week for a division title, and the other will be fortunate to go to any bowl game that’ll take them.

2. Can Auburn’s defense limit Arkansas?: The Razorbacks score 32.3 points per game. Auburn’s defense allows 19.2 points per game.

3. How will Bo Nix handle the road?: Maybe the comeback performance in Baton Rouge started to break the curse Nix seemed to suffer in big road games. He languished in a loss in Happy Valley against Penn State. The Tigers need Nix to look more like the guy leading them down the field at LSU than some of his other stumbles.

Matchup to watch...

Auburn’s defensive line and linebackers against Arkansas’ offensive line, running backs, and quarterback: The Tigers are third in the SEC in run defense. Auburn’s stingy run defense gives up a scant 104.7 yards per game. The combination of Tigers’ defense and Razorbacks’ potent run game will make for an exciting clash. Arkansas ranks fourth in the SEC with 244.8 rushing yards per game.

By the numbers

43

Tackles for Chandler Wooten, Auburn’s team leader. He’s stepped up mightly in the absence of Owen Pappoe. Defensive coordinator Derek Mason could lean on Wooten again if Pappoe is still out. Pappoe hasn’t played since suffering an injury against Penn State. Head coach Bryan Harsin seemed optimistic that Pappoe might return against Arkansas. Either way, expect to see lots of Wooten, who’s averaging over seven tackles a game.

Arkansas player to watch

Jefferson. He’s probably the best player in the game as he emerges as a top quarterback. Jefferson had 326 yards passing and three touchdowns last week. He also rushed for three scores. Jefferson had 1,235 yards through the air with a 79-of-126 completion rate. He’s thrown nine touchdowns and three interceptions. If that isn’t enough, he’s also run for 320 yards and five trips to the end zone.

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn sports for Alabama Media Group

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