Auburn to host Arkansas in SEC opener with both teams at 2-1

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze walks onto the field before an NCAA college football game against New Mexico, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Auburn and Arkansas open Southeastern Conference play trying to show that they’re better than predicted. The Tigers and Razorbacks are both 2-1 heading into their league opener. Auburn was picked to finish 10th in the SEC over the summer while Arkansas was tabbed as the 14th-best team.

Hank Brown will make his second start at quarterback for Auburn after throwing for four touchdowns against New Mexico.

Boise State transfer Taylen Green is a dual-threat quarterback who is leading the Razorbacks. The Razorbacks’ only loss came 39-31 in double overtime at No. 14 Oklahoma State. But they went just 1-7 in SEC games last season.

Auburn already has an ugly blemish on its season with an upset loss to California. A win would be potentially big for a program coming off three straight losing seasons, and perhaps a sign of progress under second-year coach Hugh Freeze.

KEY MATCHUP

Dual-threat Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green is fourth in the SEC in passing yards per game, averaging 268.7, and second in total offense (350.3 ypg). The Tigers have struggled in defending the pass, ranking last in the SEC and 99th overall by allowing 242.7 yards per game through the air.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Auburn: QB Hank Brown passed for four touchdowns in his first college start against New Mexico without an interception. It was a promising debut after Payton Thorne was benched following a four-interception performance in a loss to California the previous week. But Brown’s solid numbers also came against one of the nation’s worst defenses.

Arkansas: RB Ja’Quinden Jackson, a Utah transfer, is leading the SEC in all-purpose yards per game (148.7), rushing yards (397), yards per carry (8.5) and rushing yards per game (132.3). He has six of the Razorbacks’ nation-leading 15 touchdown runs.

FACTS & FIGURES

Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin held the same positions on Jimbo Fisher’s Texas A&M staff last season. … The Tigers have won 25 of their last 31 SEC openers. The Razorbacks are 12-20 in those games since joining the league in 1992. … Auburn is the only FBS team with nine players who have caught touchdown passes already this season. The Tigers lead the SEC and rank fifth nationally in yards per completion (17.4). … Arkansas is converting 67.5% of its third-down attempts (27 of 40) to lead the nation.

Kickoff is Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CDT on ESPN.

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