FAYETTEVILLE -- With both teams seeking their first win in the SEC this season, Auburn and Arkansas will square off in Razorback Stadium this Saturday.
Auburn (3-4, 0-4) owns a good win over Baylor 38-24, but have suffered very close losses in the SEC. Arkansas (2-5, 0-3) has also been very close in all three SEC games, but couldn't get over the hump. Only Notre Dame blew them out which led to the firing of Sam Pittman and replaced as interim head coach Bobby Petrino.
"We're coming off a tough loss against A&M, a really good football team where we played well and just couldn't quite pull it off," Petrino said. "Our players are doing a really good job with their attitude and working hard. We had a nice practice last night. Obviously, we've got a huge challenge offensively against Auburn's defense, and we've got to be able to stop their run game. So it'll be a good game."
Auburn lost to Oklahoma 24-17, Texas A&M 16-10, Georgia 20-10 and Missouri 23-17 in two overtimes. While the defense has been elite the offense has struggled at times. Auburn Coach Hugh Freeze has mostly gone with Jackson Arnold, a transfer from Oklahoma, but also has Deuce Knight and Ashton Daniels available at quarterback.
"Both have looked really good, preparing well like they always do. Jackson's looked like a million bucks at the start of the last two games, and you're just hopeful that we can get a game that is consistent with that. Ashton is ready to go, as is Deuce, and we'll just have to see how the game goes. Hopefully Jackson can get us off to a fast start like he's done the last two games, and maybe continue that.
"Deuce is, man, he’s handled everything extremely well to be so talented and young, and I think knows his time is coming. It’s just a matter of when, but we will have all three ready to play including Deuce and Ashton and Jackson."
How is Petrino and Chris Wilson, the defensive coordinator, preparing for three quarterbacks?
"Well, we're going to spend most of the time, or the majority of the time, I guess you would say on their starter: the guy that's been playing for them and their schemes and what they do with him," Petrino said of Arnold. "And obviously, we went back and looked at who's sharing reps with them, and have to have an idea of his ability, what his strengths are, what his inexperience is and and have a plan for both."
The Arkansas defense has struggled all season. When Petrino took over as interim head coach he fired three assistants on defense.
"Well, defensively, we've had to change some things up," Petrino said. "Trying to keep terminology and things they recognize, but certainly we're doing some different things and we had previously."
While Arkansas' defense has struggled it has been just the opposite for the offense and quarterback Taylen Green. Freeze was asked how you contain Green on the scrambles that many times turn into huge plays?
"I wish I had that exact answer, because if you can contain him in the pocket I think that’s your best chance of slowing them down and winning the football game," Freeze said. "Many have tried, and some have had some success, but ultimately he’s athletic enough that he’s going to hurt you at some point. We’ve just got to hope that those times that he does, it’s not super explosive plays and we’re able to cage him and contain him and try to keep him in the pocket, which is a big challenge. He’s about as elusive… He’s a different runner. He’s a long-strider, but man, really fast and can get around the edge probably as well as any I’ve seen. We’d like to cage him and keep him within the pocket."
Petrino has plenty of confidence in Green handling the pressure that is thrown at him each week.
"Well, I think he’s doing — besides being pressured, I think he’s doing a nice job of getting the ball out on time and that takes off some of the pressure," Petrino said. "He did a good job executing our quick game and things that helped there. Then his ability to move and make plays, not only running the ball with his legs, but moving in the pocket or out of the pocket and finding an open receiver to throw it to."
This will be the second home game for Arkansas in a row. Auburn though has been a good road team beating Baylor and playing close games against Texas A&M and OU.
"Well, I think our kids and our staff prepares really well," Freeze said. "And I think our talent level has closed the gap since we’ve been here with some of the elite teams we’ve played on the road, with Oklahoma and A&M. And even the Georgia and Missouri games, four really, really good football teams. And I think we’ve proven we belong in those games. We find ways to not make the critical plays in the critical moments. Whether last week it be the drops or the missed field goals. Or a tough break here or there. It’s just been kind of … I don't know that I’ve ever experienced four straight games like that, where you’re really, really proud of the competitive spirit and the way your kids played, outside of take five plays, and that’s the margin that’s so small between winning and losing when you’re playing good football teams. We’ve got to find a way to be more consistent in those moments."
Arkansas will be without standout defensive tackle Cameron Ball, who is reportedly in concussion protocol, but is expected to get Danny Saili back this week.
Petrino was asked if he has ever coached against Freeze?
"We coached against each other last year," Petrino said. "Yeah. I mean, it was a heck of a game. It was a good win for us, a battle, actually and a good win. But I know Coach Freeze pretty well. When he was at Arkansas State I hired one of his guys away, Kevin Peeples and he was really good about it, really professional about it, and happy for Kevin. But that's really all the interactions I’ve really had with him."
While Petrino's offense has been elite he is aware the Auburn defense will be the best they have faced in the SEC.
"Yeah, they’re a really good defensive team," Petrino said. "They’ve got good outside edge rushers, they’re firm inside, the linebackers play fast, their secondary’s not afraid to play man coverage. Very familiar with their defense. They’re very, very well-coached. We went against that defense every day in practice before. They do a great job in their schemes and what they do. It’s going to be a great challenge for our offense. We’ve got to be able to run the football and be patient, stay away from third-and-long, third-and-extra long, where they can tee-off their pass rushers. So I think we have to be efficient. We have to really be efficient on first down."
With all the close losses Arkansas has suffered, what's the key to getting over the hump?
"Yeah, you know, I try not to think all the way back to some of those games where you feel like you should have walked off the field with the win and just concentrating on what we're doing now," Petrino said. "But what we need to do now is be a little bit more consistent driving the ball and scoring touchdowns when we get in the red zone. When we have to settle for a field goal and take three points, I think it really hurts our opportunity to win the game. We've got to come up with some of the third down and fourth down stops that could flip the game right there and give us that chance to go score and get another possession and find a way to win the game. We've got to get some turnovers. We haven't had a turnover in, as the young kids say, we haven't had a turnover in a minute, whatever the heck that means. My grandkids say it's been a minute. I'm like, a minute? Feels like a year. We've got to get some turnovers. Get some turnovers, and we'll be a lot better."
Arkansas will be home again on Saturday when they play host to Auburn at 11:45 a.m. on the SEC Network.
