The Auburn Tigers face Arkansas on Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium, hoping to earn another key SEC win and take another step toward bowl eligibility.
Earlier this week, we examined the ways Auburn could struggle with Arkansas. Today, we take a more positive approach by highlighting the factors that benefit the Tigers in the matchup.
For the second time this season, Auburn head coach Alex Golesh will face a fellow American Athletic Conference head coaching alum. Ryan Silverfield led the Memphis Tigers for five seasons before joining Golesh and Florida head coach Jon Sumrall in moving to the SEC. Golesh and Silverfield are both navigating the tough SEC waters and need a win on Saturday to spark their teams as the regular season enters its final
stretch.
However, only one coach can achieve the goal on Saturday. Here are five reasons Golesh and the Auburn Tigers will beat Arkansas in Week 10.
Auburn's offensive line will catch a break
Auburn football has faced several of the SEC's top front sevens in recent weeks and will catch a break this week against Arkansas.
Arkansas' defense has created just 61 pressures this season, according to Pro Football Focus data, which will be a breath of fresh air for an Auburn offensive line looking to trot out the combination of Stanton Ramil (left tackle), Kenneth McManus (left guard), Cole Best (center), Jacobe' Ward (right guard), and Wilson Zierer (right tackle) for the second week in a row.
Another item to watch for is the status of Arkansas edge rusher Quincy Rhodes Jr. Rhodes was listed as questionable in the initial SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report released Wednesday; he leads all Razorbacks in pressures with 14.
Auburn's offense is more productive
Another advantage that, on paper, will work in Auburn's favor is offensive productivity. Auburn's offense scores more points (24.1 PPG to 19.6) and gains more yards (368.4 YPG to 336.1 YPG) than Arkansas. Although Arkansas' defense ranks No. 10 in yards allowed and No. 13 in points allowed in the SEC, Auburn will still have a lighter load to bear on Saturday after playing two of the SEC's top defenses over the last three weeks.
Third downs will be easier to come by for Auburn
Auburn improved its third-down conversion rate last week, converting 50% of its opportunities against Ole Miss, compared to 31% against LSU in Week 8. The Tigers rank No. 5 in the SEC in third-down conversions at 44%, and Arkansas' defense allows opponents to convert 43% of opportunities.
Continuing possessions will be vital to Auburn's success, and converting most of their third-down opportunities will be a major factor in a win.
Auburn's run game (finally) gets going
Quarterback Byrum Brown has handled most of Auburn's run production in recent games, and Alex Golesh hopes to get Jeremiah Cobb and Omar Mabson more involved in the offensive game plan. Saturday may be the chance for it to happen. Arkansas' run defense allows 153 rushing yards per game and gave up exactly 138 yards to Missouri's Jamal Roberts and Tennessee's DeSean Bishop in its last two losses.
Which running back will benefit most from playing against Arkansas' defense?
Auburn and Alex Golesh will be motivated
Auburn and head coach Alex Golesh have beef to squash with Arkansas and their head coach, Ryan Silverfield.
Auburn has lost its last two games to Arkansas in Jordan-Hare Stadium, and Golesh is 0-3 all-time against Silverfield from their days as the head coach of USF and Memphis, respectively. Expect Auburn to play extra motivated on Saturday.
Taylor Jones is the lead writer for Auburn Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) and BlueSky. FollowAuburn Wire on X andFacebook.
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Five reasons why Auburn football will beat Arkansas in Week 10
