In search of its first conference win of the season, Auburn football will take to the road this Saturday to take on Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
After a 23-17 double overtime loss to Missouri this past week, Auburn is now 0-4 against SEC foes for the third straight season under head coach Hugh Freeze.
Arkansas, now in its third week under interim head coach Bobby Petrino, sits at 2-5 overall and 0-3 in the conference.
The Tigers lead the all-time series 20-13-1 with the last win over Arkansas coming in 2023, 48-10, in Fayetteville.
Here is a look at the Tigers’ Week 9 opponent:
Another stingy road test
Finally, Auburn’s stretch of four straight games against teams ranked inside the top 20 of the AP poll is over.
But the Tigers have to go on the road if they want to end their four-game losing streak. They are just one of three SEC teams playing their fourth true road game and third conference road game this weekend.
And, despite the Razorbacks’ record, it won’t be easy.
Arkansas owns one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. It ranks fourth in the country in total offense with 513.7 yards per game. Currently, the Razorbacks offense is on pace to set the single-season program records for total yards per game and total yards per play (7.6). The Razorbacks currently own the 14th-best rushing offense with 225.3 yards per game and sit at 18th nationally with 288.4 yards through the air.
With Petrino leading the offense, Arkansas is tied for first nationally in plays of 10 or more yards with 151 total through seven games.
However, Arkansas hasn’t had much to brag about on the opposite side of the ball. The Razorbacks sit at dead last in the SEC in scoring defense (32.7), rushing defense (188.7) and total defense (443.9). It sits at 15th in the league in passing defense (255.1).
Players to know on offense
QB Taylen Green
Green has been nothing short of electric in his second year at the helm of hte Razorbacks’ offense.
Through seven games, he ranks first nationally in both yards of total offense (2,499) and yards of total offense per game (357.0). He has tallied 589 rushing yards, which is the fourth-most among all FBS quarterbacks. Additionally, he has accounted for 660 total yards and eight scores over last two games.
After starting all 13 games in 2024, he currently ranks seventh in program history in career yards of total offense (6,255). He is one passing or rushing touchdown shy of cracking the top 10 for career touchdown responsbility (45).
RB Mike Washington
Transferring over to Arkansas from New Mexico State this offseason, Washington leads the team with 671 rushing yards, which is second in the SEC, and is tied for the team lead with five scores.
Coming off a 147-yard rushing performance against Texas A&M, he marks the first Razorback player to rush for 100-plus yards in consecutive games against an SEC opponent since Alex Collins in 2015. The 228-pound Washington tallied 131 yards the previous week against Tennessee.
WR O’Mega Blake
Another impactful transfer from Charolette this offseason, Blake has emerged as Green’s go-to target out wide.
Blake is far-and-away the Razorbacks’ leading pass catcher with 582 yards on 42 receptions and four touchdowns. He has led the Razorbacks in receiving yards and receptions five times this season. He has posted five 100-plus yard receiving games in his career, and two this season after last weeks 118-yard performance against Texas A&M.
Players to know on defense
LB Xavian Sorey Jr.
Sorey has been all over the field for the Razorbacks’ defense this season amid their sturggles.
After posting a team-high 99 tackles a season ago, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker leads the team with 56 total tackles, ranking third in the SEC.
He posted a team-high 11 tackles in the Razorbacks’ last outing, and posted a career-high 15 tackles against Arkansas State in Week 2. He was the first Razorback since 2022 to post at least 15 tackles since 2022.
DB Julian Neal
Neal marks another transfer on this list that has emerged into a star for the Razorbacks. He is one of six transfers in the Razorbacks’ secondary.
Neal leads Arkansas in interceptions (2) while adding five pass breakups through seven games. He has posted 39 tackles, which is fourth-best on the team. He tallied two pass break ups in games against Arkansas State and Ole Miss, making him the first Razorback since 2019 to accomplish that feat.
Game Overview
Auburn, obviously, is in desperate need of a win to gain some momentum heading into the latter half of its schedule.
On paper, this matchup bodes well for the Tigers. It will be strength versus strength with Auburn’s defense and Arkansas offense. Auburn has had success in Fayetteville, winning five of the last six on the Razorbacks’ home turf.
It all comes down to if Auburn’s offense can find success. It will have its best opportunity since the start of conference play to put up some points against the leagues worst defense. If it can’t, the Tigers are in a heap of trouble, if they aren’t already, with two more games against ranked opponents awaiting in the weeks to come.
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