Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Arena: Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL
The Arkansas Razorbacks travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium to face the Auburn Tigers this Saturday, September 21, 2024. This matchup promises to be a nail-biter, with both teams eager to start their conference play on the right foot.
As the crisp autumn air settles in, the atmosphere at Auburn will be electric. The Tigers are riding high after a convincing 45-19 victory over New Mexico, while Arkansas is coming off a hard-fought 37-27 win against UAB. But don’t let those non-conference results fool you – SEC play is a whole different ballgame.
Auburn’s redshirt freshman quarterback Hank Brown turned heads last week, tossing four touchdowns in his first start. He’ll be looking to prove it wasn’t a fluke against stiffer competition. On the other side, Arkansas boasts a dynamic duo in transfer quarterback Taylen Green and running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, who’s been tearing up defenses all season.
Let’s take a closer look at how these teams stack up.
Team Analysis
The Auburn Tigers have shown flashes of brilliance but also moments of vulnerability. Their offense found its rhythm against New Mexico, but the real test comes against SEC defenses. Keep an eye on running back Jarquez Hunter, who’s averaging a whopping 7.6 yards per carry. Auburn’s defense has been stingy, allowing just 14.3 points per game, but they haven’t faced an offense quite like Arkansas yet.
Key Players:
- QB Hank Brown: 331 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs
- RB Jarquez Hunter: 273 yards, 2 TDs
- WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith: 182 yards, 3 TDs
On the other side, the Arkansas Razorbacks have been an offensive juggernaut, averaging 46 points per game. Quarterback Taylen Green has been a dual-threat nightmare for defenses, while Ja’Quinden Jackson leads the SEC in rushing. However, their defense has shown some cracks, giving up 22 points per game.
Key Players:
- QB Taylen Green: 806 passing yards, 245 rushing yards, 7 total TDs
- RB Ja’Quinden Jackson: 397 rushing yards, 6 TDs
- WR Andrew Armstrong: 301 receiving yards
When these teams collide, expect fireworks. Auburn’s stout defense will be put to the test against Arkansas’ high-powered offense. The key matchup will be how well Auburn’s front seven can contain Green and Jackson.
On the flip side, Arkansas’ secondary will need to step up to slow down Brown and his emerging receiving corps.
Why Arkansas +2.5?
Now, let’s talk about why you should consider taking Arkansas +2.5. The Razorbacks have shown they can put up points in bunches, and their balanced attack could give Auburn fits. While the Tigers have home-field advantage, Arkansas has covered the spread in their last five road games. That’s not a trend to ignore.
Here’s what five top NCAA football prediction models are saying:
- ESPN’s Football Power Index: Auburn 30, Arkansas 27
- SP+ Model: Auburn 32, Arkansas 25
- Sagarin Ratings: Auburn 29, Arkansas 26
- FiveThirtyEight’s Elo Ratings: Auburn 30, Arkansas 28
- The Power Rank: Auburn 31, Arkansas 28
Notice a pattern? While Auburn is favored in all these models, the margin is razor-thin. Most predict a difference of just 3-4 points, which aligns perfectly with taking Arkansas +2.5.
Here’s the kicker – Arkansas has been battle-tested already this season. Their close loss to Oklahoma State showed they can hang with top-tier competition. Auburn, on the other hand, stumbled against Cal in their only game against a Power 5 opponent.
The transfer portal has been kind to both teams. Arkansas snagged Green from Boise State, and he’s been a game-changer. Auburn’s addition of Lambert-Smith from Penn State has given their passing game a boost. These new faces could be the X-factors that tip the scales.
Conclusion
In the end, this game could come down to who has the ball last. While Auburn might eke out a win at home, Arkansas has more than enough firepower to keep it close – and potentially pull off the upset.
So, if you’re looking for a smart play this weekend, consider rolling with the Razorbacks +2.5. They’ve got the offensive chops to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the SEC, and in a close game, those extra points could make all the difference.
This Saturday, we might just see Arkansas prove that they’re a force to be reckoned with in the conference. Don’t be surprised if this one comes down to the wire, with the Razorbacks covering – or even winning outright.
PICK: Arkansas +2.5
