Quarterback
Arkansas' Austin Allen (138-219-6, 1,861 yards, 18 TDs) has led game-winning drives three times and one late game-tying drive in seven starts. Allen leads the SEC in passing yardage and touchdowns, is second in efficiency rating (156.03) and third in completion percentage (.630). He’s seventh in the FBS in TD passes and 15th in efficiency. Arkansas is No. 36 in passing (265.9).
Auburn's Sean White (92-132-2, 1,187 yards, 6 TDs) leads the SEC with 69.7 percent completions, a 157.2 efficiency rating and 9.0 yards per attempt. Auburn is is 82nd in passing yards per game (216.3), but is 19th in team passing efficiency because of White’s completion percentage and low rate of interceptions. James Franklin III (6-10-0, 73 yards, 1 TD) is a dangerous running threat.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Running backs
Arkansas' Rawleigh Williams III (140 carries, 785 yards, 5 TDs) is coming off a career-high 180-yard game. Williams is 2nd in the SEC, 17th in FBS with 112.1 rushing yards per game. Devwah Whaley (49-386, 1) has made strides the past few games. He’s the clear second-teame back with Kody Walker (foot) out for the year. Arkansas is 60th in rushing (179.7).
Auburn's Kerryon Johnson (105-538, 6) and Kamryn Pettway (91-505, 4) are 1 of 7 FBS combos with 500 or more rushing yards. Johnson, coming off an ankle injury, is the speed back at 211 pounds. Pettway, 240, is a bruiser. Pettway has 3 100-yard games, Johnson has 2. Reserve QB John Franklin III (19-217, 1) averages 11.4 ypc. Auburn is 12th in rushing (262.8).
ADVANTAGE Auburn
Receivers/TEs
Balance for Arkansas? Drew Morgan (37-378, 2 TDs) leads in receptions, Jared Cornelius (22-448, 4) leads in yardage, Keon Hatcher (21-354, 5) leads in TDs. Tight end Jeremy Sprinkle (19-199, 4) has been slowed by an ankle injury. Cody Hollister (9-139) and Dominique Reed (8-138, 1) have gotten rolling the past couple of weeks.
Tony Stevens, a matchup problem at 6-4, leads the Tigers with 24 catches for 408 yards and 3 TDs, followed by Ryan Davis (19-155, 1), Marcus Davis (13-100) and Kyle Davis (9-212, 1), who averages 23.6 ypc. Will Hastings (9-68, 1) has also scored. Darius Slayton (6-115), a 6-2 redshirt freshman, is listed as a starter.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas
Offensive Line
The SEC’s best pass rushes have tested the Razorbacks, and Auburn has a strong one. LT Dan Skipper, LG Hjalte Froholdt, C Frank Ragnow, and RG Jake Raulerson have started all 7 games; RT Brian Wallace has started the past four. Arkansas is 41st in total offense (445.6) and 82nd in sacks allowed (2.4).
Two seniors and three juniors make up the Tigers’ front. LT Austin Golson moved to center and Darius James was inserted at LT the past two games after an ankle injury to C Xavier Dampeer. LG Alex Kozan, RG Braden Smith and RT Robert Leff have started all six games at those spots. The Tigers are 28th in total offense (479.2), 88th in sacks allowed (2.5).
ADVANTAGE Auburn
Defensive Line
Arkansas seniors Deatrich Wise (28 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 hurries), Jeremiah Ledbetter (28, 3.5, 2 PBU) and Taiwan Johnson (15, 3 TFL, 1 sack) played more reps and got better push and pressure last week and slowed the Ole Miss run. Tevin Beanum (12, 1 hurry) also starts. McTelvin Agim (11, 1.5 sacks) and Karl Roesler (4, 1.5) combined for a sack vs. Chad Kelly. The Hogs are 80th in rushing defense (175.9)
Auburn veterans Carl Lawson (15, 7 TFL, 6 sacks) and Montravius Adams (17, 4, 2.5) are top talents. The other starters are end Marlon Davidson (17, 3, 2.5) and tackle Dontavius Russell (12, 4 hurries). Top subs are Andrew Williams (8, 1.5 sacks) and Jeff Holland (7, 4 hurries). The Tigers are 52nd in rushing defense (147.2).
ADVANTAGE Auburn
Linebackers
Auburn’s shifts, motions, play-action game and strong running will keep starters Brooks Ellis (51, 4 TFL, 1 INT) and Dwayne Eugene (9, 1 INT) busy. An offsides penalty denied Ellis a diving pick last week. Eugene stepped in well in his first start last week on the weak side. De’Jon Harris (15) and Khalia Hackett (2) are the top subs. Arkansas is 64th in total defense (398.9).
DeShaun Davis (24, 1 TFL, 3 hurries) in the middle, Tre’ Williams (36, 2.5, 3) at weak side, and Darrell Williams (23, 1, 2) on the strong side are the starters for coordinator Kevin Steele. Montavious Atkinson (12, 2.5 TFL ) and TJ Neal (8) also see action. The Tigers are 30th in total defense (346.8).
ADVANTAGE Auburn
Secondary
Arkansas got better tackling from safeties Josh Liddell (33, 2 TFL, 1 INT) and Santos Ramirez (23, 2 PBU, 2 FF) last week, though each missed on a TD. De’Andre Coley (22, 2 FF, 2 FR) will miss the first half for a targeting ejection. Cover men Henre’ Toliver (29, 2 INT, 3 PBU), Ryan Pulley (25, 9 PBU, 1 INT), Jared Collins (12, 3 PBU) and DJ Dean (9, 1 PBU) will get plenty of work today. Arkansas is 61st in passing defense (223.0) and 50th in pass efficiency.
Nickel back Jonathan Ford (37, 4.5 TFL, 6 PBU) is Auburn’s top tackler, followed by SS Tray Matthews (36, 2 PBU, 1 hurry). Nick Ruffin (21, 3 PBU) starts at free safety. The top corners are Carlton Davis (19, 1 TFL, 7 PBU), who whiffed on Drew Morgan’s 25-yard TD in the 4th OT last year, and Joshua Holsey (14, 3 PBU). The Tigers are 30th in pass defense (199.7) and 25th in pass efficiency.
ADVANTAGE Auburn
Special teams
Punter Toby Baker (47.3 average) ranks 2nd in the SEC, 5th in the nation during a big senior year. Adam McFain won the kicking job two weeks ago and is 3 for 3. Not much going on in the return game, with punt return ranking 59th, kickoff return 115th. Kick return defense is 95th. Connor Limpert is 13th in the SEC with 21.6 percent touchbacks.
Daniel Carlson might be the nation’s best kicker. Carlson is 13 of 14 on FGs, with his only miss from 56 yards. He is the national leader with 31 touchbacks on 32 kickoffs. Kevin Phillips (40.5) would rank 73rd if he had enough punts to qualify. Jonathan Ford averages 16.7 yards per kickoff return, worse than Arkansas’ Dominique Reed (17.9).
ADVANTAGE Auburn
Intangibles
Arkansas went 3-1 in SEC road games last season, an indication the Razorbacks can bring what it takes to win a game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Razorbacks played previous away games at TCU and against Texas A&M at mostly their desired tempo into the fourth quarter. Bret Bielema and Gus Malzahn have been in low-drama mode after a few testy exchanges in 2013 and ‘14.
Auburn got an extra week to prepare, so there is certain to be plays, formations and schemes Arkansas hasn’t seen. Gus Malzahn downplays the emotional part of facing his home-state team and a coach with whom he hasn’t seen eye to eye, but those who know him say he burns to win this matchup. Home field means something as well.
ADVANTAGE Auburn