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Arkansas football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Auburn in Week 8

By Matthew Bartlett

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 24: Head Coach Bret Bielema of the Arkansas Razorbacks yells to his players on the field during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Razorback Stadium Stadium on October 24, 2015 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers in 4 OT's 54-46. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 24: Head Coach Bret Bielema of the Arkansas Razorbacks yells to his players on the field during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Razorback Stadium Stadium on October 24, 2015 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers in 4 OT's 54-46. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Arkansas football gets the unfortunate draw of Auburn a week removed from playing Alabama. Can they avoid a similar result? Here’s everything you need to know.

The news broke late last week that the Razorbacks would be without starting quarterback Austin Allen against Alabama. Freshman Cole Kelley was called upon to make an emergency start. Arkansas would go on to lose that game 41-9, but there isn’t much reason to think the outcome would have been much different had Allen been able to go.

Auburn is also coming off a loss, but a much more painful one. The Tigers held a 20-0 lead before LSU rallied to beat them. It was Auburn’s first loss in SEC play, but a prior defeat by Clemson puts their Playoff hopes on life support at best.

ESPN FPI gives Auburn an 85.8 percent chance of beating the Razorbacks on Saturday. They have a better offense, a vastly superior defense, and much higher expectations. Can they hold on for a full four quarters?

Here’s how to watch Saturday’s game between Arkansas and Auburn:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Fayetteville, Ar.
Venue: Razorback Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Keys to Victory

There is still uncertainty as to which Arkansas quarterback the Tigers will see on Saturday. Allen is a much more refined passer. Kelley is a big bruising giant, capable of taking on SEC-sized by himself. Regardless of who earns the stat, the Razorbacks need to live in the middle of the field. Short passes and dump offs are the name of the game against a pass rush that will most likely shred a poor Arkansas offensive line.

The Razorbacks need to control the football and get themselves into third and short rather than third-and-10. They’ve got a good stable of running backs. It’s going to be tough to get them going against such a physical front seven, but they have to try. Shortening the game and milking the clock are a must if the Hogs are to have any hope.

For the Tigers, Gus Malzahn needs to stop overthinking it. Auburn’s offense under Malzahn has been a series of short runs with some deep passes mixed in. The intermediate game has been non-existent. That needs to change against Arkansas. The Tigers need to trust Jarrett Stidham to be patient in the pocket and take what the defense gives him. If he does that Auburn should be able to move the ball down the field with relative ease.

Prediction

Auburn looked out of sorts in the second half against LSU. They’ve done their soul-searching and they’re going to be locked in on the road against Arkansas. It’s only going to take one good half to put the Razorbacks in a deficit that they can’t climb out from under.

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The Tigers pick up four to six sacks and force whoever ends up under center for the Razorbacks into some critical errors which turn into points for the Tigers. Much like last week’s loss to Alabama, the Razorbacks know this game is out of reach by the halftime whistle.

Final Score: Arkansas 17, Auburn 54

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