FAYETTEVILLE — Most understand that Arkansas is facing an SEC West team coming off an open date for the second straight week. Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema said the schedule gave the Hogs a break, too.
The Hogs beat Ole Miss last week, 34-30, the week after the Rebels had an open date. Auburn is coming off an open date, too. The Tigers play host to the Hogs at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Fall break helped the Hogs this week. There was no class on Monday or Tuesday on the Arkansas campus and Bielema took advantage.
“It is the second straight week our opponent had a bye week ahead of us,” Bielema said during his weekly radio show Thursday night. “But what we have at Arkansas with fall break this week gave us a chance to to change our schedule.”
The NCAA mandates taking an off day when there are classes all week. But with no classes, Bielema was allowed to add a day of practice.
“We gave them Sunday off, but a lot of players came in for treatment or tape study,” he said. “So we usually don't practice on Monday. We did work Monday of this week and so that gave us more volume work this week than we've had all season for any opponent.”
It's the last of eight straight games, but Bielema said the Hogs are relatively healthy.
“We do a lot of soft tissue recovery and we changed our schedule this year, with the off day on Thursday,” he said. “It's worked out better.
“We should be full throttle by Saturday. For us, knowing we have a bye week next week, we have really been focused in.”
It's the first true SEC road game for the Hogs, but Bielema said playing at TCU was good preparation.
“TCU might not be as big (of a stadium) numbers wise, but it was loud,” Bielema said of the trip to Fort Worth. “We have a lot of guys who have been on the road, though.”
The Hogs have practiced inside all week to prepare for the noise at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
“That's what we do each time we play at Auburn,” Bielema said. “We work with the noise level high so we should be prepared (for communication).”
Bielema was asked about being the underdog again. Auburn is favored by 10 points. It's been like that for several games this season.
“Obviously, I don't look at that number,” Bielema said. “But my wife usually tells me about it. She told me Tuesday night this week. I don't mind. It actually plays into our hands. We are not overly sexy or a ready built team. I think it helps us in the long run with the way we recruit and play.
“The number I focus on is turnovers. We had eight in the two games we lost. That's a huge emphasis. It was a big factor last week (in the upset of Ole Miss).”
There was a question about Auburn changing play callers. Head coach Gus Malzahn has turned over the reins to offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee.
“I don't think the plays have changed,” Bielema said. “I can't tell there is any difference, but I think what has changed a little is that they've gone faster and not as much motion or pre-snap movement.
“Ole Miss plays fast, but Auburn averages a play about every nine seconds. That's as fast as they can possibly go. We had some trouble getting lined up at times last week, so that's our focus this week.”
Offensive tackle Dan Skipper was the player guest for the radio show. He was asked about the matchup with the Auburn defensive lines, one of the best units in the SEC.
"It's a huge opportunity for us to show the rest of the nation the improvement we've made," Skipper said. "That's one of the best defensive lines. Montravius Adams is one of the best three techniques around and Carl Lawson is a great player off the edge."
Bielema was asked if he knew quarterback Austin Allen would be such an outstanding player.
"I think so," he said. "I'm not trying to act like there's something I knew I knew, but I think father knows best and Bobby Allen told me that if you like Brandon, you are going to really like Austin."
Bielema said it's a good Auburn team the Hogs will face.
"Obviously, they had some adversity early," Bielema said. "But they battled back. Gus has a good team with good players. He's recruited very well."
Bielema said the Hogs are confident.
"They believe their own credentials," he said. "They don't worry about anyone else's."