Auburn, Arkansas try to keep pace in high-powered SEC West

Is Auburn’s defense any good. Anyone? The Tigers sure did some damage last weekend at South Carolina, though, forcing four turnovers and holding the Gamecocks to 13 points. So what gives? Gene Chizik’s D is ranked dead last in the SEC in—sorry, unfolding the list here—points allowed, passing yards allowed, rushing yards allowed … no need to go on. Clearly, the Gamecocks were working through a lot of problems of their own. Arkansas, on the other hand, has the top offense in the conference. Unit-on-unit, this reeks of a mismatch.
Jarius Wright had 13 catches for 281 yards and a touchdown in last week’s wild 42-38 comeback win over Texas A&M. But the Tigers can’t emphasize Wright all that much in their coverage plan because fellow wideouts Cobi Hamilton and Joe Adams and tight end Chris Gragg are terrific themselves. Somehow, some way, Auburn’s corners and safeties have to rise to this challenge. Putting consistent pressure on Hogs quarterback Tyler Wilson would tip the scales toward Auburn in a big way, and there were hints of that as the Tigers had three sacks at South Carolina. Worth noting: Auburn QB Barrett Trotter was dumped five times in that game, so that has to improve immediately for the Tigers.
there was nothing to get excited about when these teams met a season ago. Unless you’re a fan of touchdowns, that is. There were 14 of them as Auburn, on the way to the national title, won, 65-43, in the highest-scoring non-overtime game in SEC history.
Arkansas 34, Auburn 24. The young Tigers seem to be improving every week, but they’re just not quite at Arkansas’ level yet.