AUBURN | Each week the AuburnSports.com staff and friends make their predictions on Auburn and top college football games from around the country.
WHAT THEY THINK
Jay G. Tate (7-3, 41-19), always served with frosty tips.
Auburn 23-17
Tough game to assess. My weakness is that I still see some elements of greatness in this Auburn team, despite it rarely exhibiting much greatness at all. The team seems pretty average when you look at the body of work, you know? Arkansas hasn't been home for a long while and that familiarity will make a difference today. I just think this Auburn team is going to get its running game sorted one of these days — and then we'll all wonder why it wasn't like that all along. This is the week. This is when it happens. Auburn by six.
Brian Stultz (8-2, 39-21), a lover of Murder, She Wrote and rom-coms.
Arkansas 34-28
I swore after last week that I would not pick against Auburn again but I don't get a good feeling for the Tigers going into Fayetteville and coming out with a victory. The Tigers should be able to run the ball but the Razorbacks will make too many plays and win their first game against Auburn since 2015. Bombs away!
Christian Clemente (8-2, 38-22), the Assassin from Big Sky country.
Auburn 30-27
I'm going to go with Auburn in a super close one. I think Arkansas might be the better team up to this point, but Auburn's superior talent prevails. Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter both go for over 100 yards to help lead the way on the road against an Arkansas defense that struggles to stop the run and has just downright struggled the past weeks in general. The defense gets an interception in the third quarter to help swing the game Auburn's way.
Dan Peck (8-2, 37-23), the other guy from The Drive and film noir aficionado.
Auburn 27-21
Auburn suffered a deflating home loss last week, so this is a chance to answer the bell. Arkansas can and will test an opponent’s toughness; Auburn can win this game, but running the ball and getting stops are imperative.
WHAT THEY THINK (continued)
Bill Cameron (7-3, 36-24), Auburn radio institution and still groovin’ to the 70’s.
Auburn 27-23
The running game is the story this week – the Tigers HAVE to run the ball better than they have lately, and they must slow down the Hogs ground attack. KJ Jefferson is improving quickly as a passer, but Auburn stands a much better chance if they know when the big guy is throwing. The 11:00 start is better for the road team, but the Razorbacks have been looking for revenge for last year’s finish. The Tigers have gotten off to great starts the last few trips to Fayetteville, and that is a must Saturday morning.
Caleb Jones (6-4, 34-26), a river rat in a kayak
Arkansas 48-44
This is gonna be the toughest offense that Auburn has faced yet. After seeing how Sean Clifford and Stetson Bennett excelled against the Tigers, I can't pick against KJ Jefferson and the Razorbacks. I do think that Auburn's offense does have one of its better games, seeing that Arkansas gives up an average of 33 points per game in SEC play this season. Arkansas wins in a shootout.
Bryan Matthews (7-3, 33-27), I’d like a milkshake straw with that.
Auburn 37-31
I’m expecting a great SEC battle in Fayetteville Saturday and I think this game cold swing either way. I’m picking Auburn because I think its run defense will be good enough to slow down Arkansas enough and the Tigers should be able to pile up some running yards of their own after the Hawgs gave up 597 total in the last two games. KJ Jefferson and Treylon Burks will make plays but so will Bo Nix and Tank Bigsby. Auburn earns a tough road win going into the off-week.
Hunter Adams (5-5, 31-29), your momma’s favorite football coach.
Auburn 30-21
