Auburn RB Onterio McCalebb has averaged 6.3 yards per carry in his career. (US Presswire) |
Arkansas (1-4, 0-2 SEC) at Auburn (1-3, 0-2 SEC)
Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Spread: Auburn by 9.5
Watchability: Can Arkansas cure Auburn’s offensive problems? Outscored 110-10 in two SEC games, the Razorbacks rank last in the conference in points allowed (40.6) and total defense (510.2). They’ve lost four straight for the first time since 2004. Auburn’s Kiehl Frazier ranks dead last in the SEC in passing yards (136.5) and has thrown seven interceptions against two touchdowns. Auburn is off to its worst start since losing five of its first six in 1998.
Shining stars: Arkansas: Tyler Wilson is throwing for 339 yards per game, which ranks seventh nationally, but cannot compensate for the Hogs’ non-existent defense. He’s thrown nine TDs against five INTs. In the last two games, Wilson and WR Cobi Hamilton have hooked up 21 times for 465 yards and three scores. Auburn: Corey Lemonier. The junior defensive end has blocked two field goals and notched five sacks this season. But he has to be careful because he has a tendency to jump offsides.
Who could steal the show: Arkansas: Dennis Johnson. Returning two kickoffs for 56 yards against Texas A&M, Johnson now holds the SEC record for career kick return yards with 2,755. He’s returned three kickoffs for TDs in his career. Auburn: Onterio McCalebb. The Tigers have their own dangerous return man in McCalebb, who is only the second SEC player in history with 2,000 career rushing yards, 1,000 career kick return yards and 500 career receiving yards. The senior has averaged 6.4 yards per carry in his career, behind only Brent Fullwood (7.2) and Bo Jackson (6.6) in Auburn history.
You going? Ranking the road trip: Auburn entered its off week with momentum after nearly upsetting LSU. With fans hungry for their first SEC win, Jordan-Hare Stadium should be rocking with more than 85,000 people.
Magic number for Arkansas: 13. The Razorbacks are last in the nation in turnover margin at minus-13.
Magic number for Auburn: 9. Cody Parkey has made nine straight field goals dating to last season and is 20 for 25 in his career.
The game comes down to: Wilson and Hamilton will make their share of plays, but the refreshed Tigers should break out against the hapless Hogs’ defense. You can also count on the Razorbacks to commit at least two turnovers.
Prediction: Auburn 31, Arkansas 24
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.