Auburn Football 2010: A Quick Look Ahead at the Arkansas Game

Win or lose, the Auburn Tigers face two games with opponents in the Top 20 in the next two weeks. This is a formidable task for any football team. Most Auburn fans are glad to be bowl eligible but not pleased with the final results of the last game.

Auburn did not smash Kentucky in the mouth. The Auburn defense was lulled into playing Kentucky’s chosen style of football. There were no helmets flying out of the pile, and the results of that style of soft football showed on the scoreboard.

On Saturday October 16, 2010, the Tigers will face the Arkansas Razorbacks. Arkansas must beat Auburn, LSU, South Carolina, and Mississippi State to have a shot at winning the west. They will attempt to make Auburn the first victim on that list.

Arkansas has only played a young Georgia team and Alabama in the SEC. They are coming off a win over Texas A&M where they had 442 yards of offense and 24 points. This was certainly no pushover game, but something tells me that it was Tigers not Aggies on the Hog’s mind.

Here are some quick facts from SEC play in average per game format.

Statistic	Arkansas	Auburn
Total Offense	427 yards	453 yards
Total Defense	406.5 yards	322 yards
Scoring Offense	25.5 points	29.6 points
Scoring Defense	24 points	25 points
Rushing Offense	59 yards	278 yards
Rushing Defense	183 yards	111 yards
Passing Offense	368 yards	175 yards
Passing Defense	223 yards	211 yards

In the two previous SEC games Arkansas played conventional rushing attacks. They have not faced a serious rushing attack that challenges the perimeter and spreads the field this year.

Arkansas runs a diversified passing attack that challenges every area of the field. They have an excellent receiving corps that gives them threats at every level. Their running backs get more yards receiving than they do rushing in many games.

The Arkansas quarterback has been sacked nine times in five games. Their offense is converting 37.7 percent of their third downs this year. They are converting 88 percent of their trips to the red zone into points.

The Arkansas quarterback is no threat to run the ball. The Auburn defensive front four will get pressure on the quarterback quick enough to make him uncomfortable in the pocket. They will make sure there are plenty of quick outlets for him to dump off the football.

For Arkansas to win this game, they must hit for some big plays. It will be very difficult for them to win with the short outlets or passes. They are a big play offense that has a tendency to roll up yards without points when forced into a methodical style of passing game.

Seasonal Play Statistics All Opponents

Statistic	Arkansas	Auburn
National Ranking	12 nationally	7 nationally
Record	4-1	6-0
Conference Record	1-1	3-0
Total Offense Rank	19	10
Total Offense	462 yards	483 yards
Average Yards Gained Per Play	7.23 yards	7.23 yards
Total Defense Rank	19	40
Total Defense	302 yards	334 yards
Average Yards Allowed Per Play	4.71 yards	4.75 yards
Average Yards Penalized Per Game	67.6 yards	55.83 yards
Interceptions Total	5	4
Tackles For Loss Total	38	48
Fumbles Recovered Total	4	7
Turnovers Lost	11	10
Sacks Total	17	15
Tackles For Loss Allowed	26	28
Net Punting	37 yards	34 yards
Kick Returns Allowed	21.73 yards	20.97 yards

These are certainly two teams that are closely matched. They get the job done in different ways, but they do get them done.

Area	Arkansas	Draw	Auburn
Special Teams Coverage		X
Special Teams Punting	X
Special Teams Kicking			X
Receivers	X
Running Backs		X
Quarterbacks		X
Defensive Line			X
Linebackers			X
Secondary	X
Offensive Line		X
Tight Ends		X

There is little chance that Auburn can cover the Arkansas receivers in press coverage. They will likely once again allow Arkansas the short stuff to prevent the big play. Arkansas will likely get their yards of offense in this game.

There is little chance that Arkansas will slow down the Auburn rushing attack, and there should be a big play or two available in the passing attack.

The Auburn d-line will get pressure on the Arkansas quarterback early and often. Arkansas will be hard pressed to contain the Auburn quarterback in the pocket.

Auburn should win this game if they come out and play with intensity. If they do not play a full 60 minutes, Arkansas can win this game.