AUBURN — Auburn football will host Arkansas at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday in its first SEC game of the 2024 season.
Auburn leads 20-12-1 in the series with Arkansas. They defeated the Razorbacks 48-10 last season in Fayetteville and lead 9-6-1 in games played at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Here’s our scouting report on the Razorbacks, and a score prediction for the matchup on Saturday (2:30 p.m. ESPN/SEC Network+).
More: Is Auburn football QB Hank Brown ready for Arkansas? ‘I’m really looking forward to it’
Will Arkansas’ defense affect Tigers rush attack?
Linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. is the Hogs’ leading tackler through the first three games of the season, totaling a team-high 23 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. The Razorbacks are ranked No. 3 in the SEC in rushing defense and No. 9 in total defense.
In a 39-31 double overtime defeat to No. 16 Oklahoma State, Arkansas held started running back Ollie Gordon II to 49 rushing yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. Last week, against UAB, they yielded 119 rushing yards on 35 carries.
Tigers finished with 268 rushing yards, dominating New Mexico at the line of scrimmage last game. Arkansas will be a true test for the Tigers’ ground game as starter Jarquez Hunter is fifth in the SEC, averaging 91.0 rushing yards per game this season.
Can’t count out the Arkansas offense
Through the first three games of the season, Arkansas is third in the SEC and fifth in the country in total offense with an average of 587.3 yards per game, including 259.0 rushing yards per game.
Quarterback Taylen Green has completed 56.4% of his passes for 806 yards and three touchdowns through the air. The Boise State transfer has 245 rushing yards and four scores proving his dual-threat abilities.
Utah transfer Ja’Quinden Jackson had three consecutive 100-yard rushing games leading the Razorbacks with 397 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Wide receiver Andrew Armstrong has also shined for the Hogs’ with 18 receptions and 301 yards.
Score Prediction
Auburn 38, Arkansas 28: This will be a shootout where both offenses compete at a high-level exchanging touchdowns. The winner of the turnover battle will have a high chance of winning the game. Auburn quarterback Hank Brown was named the No. 1 graded SEC quarterback and fifth highest graded QB in the nation in Week 3. With momentum high for the Tigers offense, they can open up SEC play in the win column with a consistent game plan on both sides of the ball.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football vs. Arkansas: Scouting analysis on the Razorbacks team
