No. 21 Auburn (5-2, 3-1 SEC) at Arkansas (2-4, 0-3), Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network) Line: Auburn by 15 ½. Series record: Auburn leads 14-11-1. WHAT’S AT STAKE Auburn lost for the second time this season last week, blowing
No. 21 Auburn (5-2, 3-1 SEC) at Arkansas (2-4, 0-3), Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Line: Auburn by 15 ½.
Series record: Auburn leads 14-11-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Auburn lost for the second time this season last week, blowing a 20-0 lead and falling 27-23 to No. 24 LSU. The Tigers know any remote hope they have of climbing back into the College Football Playoff picture rests on going undefeated the remainder of the season — starting this week against a struggling Arkansas team that’s lost six of its last eight.
KEY MATCHUP
Arkansas’ offensive line vs. Auburn linebacker Jeff Holland. The Tigers are 13th nationally in total defense, allowing an average of 289.3 yards per game and averaging nearly three sacks per game. Holland leads the way with 6.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for losses this season, providing plenty of concern for a Razorbacks line that is tied for 112th in the country while allowing three sacks per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Auburn: RB Kerryon Johnson. Despite missing two games early in the season with injury, the junior leads the country with 13 rushing touchdowns in five game — 12 scores in four SEC games. The 6-foot, 212-pound Johnson is averaging 132 yards rushing per game.
Arkansas: QB Cole Kelley. Making his first start as replacement for an injured Austin Allen, the freshman completed 23 of 42 passes for 200 yards in a 41-9 loss at No. 1 Alabama last week. The 6-foot-7, 268-pound Kelley is expected to start again this week with Allen still rehabilitating an injury to his throwing shoulder, and the Razorbacks will need him to show improvement if they hope to have a chance at ending a four-game SEC losing streak.
FACTS & FIGURES
Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham is second in the SEC in completion percentage (65.5) and third in passing efficiency … Saturday will be Arkansas’ first SEC game of the season in Fayetteville … Razorbacks WR Jonathan Nance is tied for third in the SEC with five touchdown catches … The Tigers have scored on 27 of its 29 red zone chances this season, including 17 of 17 — with 13 touchdowns — in SEC play.
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