Auburn Football: 3 bold predictions for Tigers vs Arkansas

Auburn Football had a tough outing at home last week against Georgia.  Nobody expected Auburn to win the game. Much like nobody expected the Tigers to win the week prior against LSU.

Unfortunately for Auburn, the Tigers were not a match for Georgia. A Bulldog team who is now no. 1 team in the Nation. Bo Nix just did not have enough magic left in the tank this time.

It was a tough task with new coaches and not heavy recruiting and given one the hardest schedules in College Football.

The Tigers lost 34-10. Nothing was working for Auburn on any side of the ball. The running game which they heavily rely on was shut down. Their star Tank Bigsby only ran for 28 yards, but did add another touchdown to his season. No receiver was able to gain over 50 yards. The offensive line was even less impressive allowing their quarterback to be sacked 4 times. Bo Nix had a less than stellar 217 yards, 21-38 from the field, and no touchdowns..

Do not count this team out. They are used to everyone counting them out and it has only made them stronger in the past. The Tigers are going up against an Arkansas team that are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Ole Miss.

Expect them to play hard and be hungry for a win. The Razorbacks fared even worse than Auburn football when they matched up against the Bulldogs two weeks ago losing 37-0. Both teams are carrying 4-2 records, both looking to prevail and get their season back on track.

The Tigers have the potential to challenge for an SEC West Championship title yet again. With Alabama losing it opens a door for them to get another if they are victorious in the Iron Bowl. Upsetting the crimson tide is no new task for them. This time they will be playing for something bigger. Taking something away from them for the bragging rights this team lives for.

Now here are 3 bold predictions for the Auburn Tigers and why I think they will roll right over the Razorbacks.

3. The passing game has to be able to catch some big balls in big moments

The passing attack. I know what you are thinking what passing attack? This has been a huge area of concern for Auburn. With no passing game, it’s really hard to sustain a lead. Especially if your running came can’t help control the clock and your quarterback is continuously getting sacked by a offensive line who can’t hold the defense back.

There has been no real breakout receiver for Auburn. Only four players have 200 plus yards on the season. Kobe Hudson leading the way with 267 yards and one touchdown who is by far the best receiver on the squad.

John Samuel Shenker has 256 yards on 19 receptions. Demetris Robertson comes in at 231 and 2 touchdowns. Shedrick Jackson comes in at 4th with 210 yards receiving and one touchdown.

The passing attack doesn’t have to be flawless but it does have to be effective. Because the SEC West title is on the line expect some big passes. Kobe will continue his play last week and double that up with a 105 yard performance and one touchdown.

I also see Demetrius Robertson have a 60-yard receiving game being a better target for Bo Nix. John Samuel Shenker will make another breakout debut with 85 yards and a score. He has previously had a 102-yard game against LSU. I predict those drops do not occur as much in week 7 of College Football.

Bryan Harsin weighed in on the drops from last week:

“The drop issue, it’s crushing,” Harsin said. “Those are going to happen. You’re not going to have a perfect game. You’ll have a drop here and there. I know how it’s so heightened at this point, but we have too many. At the end of the day, we have too many.”

That is putting it mildly for the Tigers head coach. For any chance at winning an SEC title, this has to get better. It’s not about finishing it’s about finishing the right plays. So many of the dropped passes came in a moment they desperately needed it.

The major problem is this is an inexperienced group. They will grow and they will learn but one of them have to step up as a leader in the receiving core, and I believe that will be Kobe Hudson.

He will look to carry the load and expectations for the remainder of the season. Shenker will have his moments but look for those two to carry the passing game.