Auburn's 4-2 start, featuring rapid improvement on both sides of the ball, has helped erase memories of a mediocre 2015 campaign. The offense has found its identity while the defense has been among the best in the country, which has the Tigers in the Top 25 and feeling good.
Next on No. 21 Auburn's agenda? Seeking revenge for arguably the most heartbreaking loss of last season, a 54-46 loss to Arkansas in four overtimes. Defensive tackle and, more recently, touchdown-scorer Montravius Adams knows what kind of challenge awaits against the No. 17 Razorbacks.
"In my opinion, I think [Arkansas' Austin Allen] a great quarterback, and [running back Rawleigh Williams III], I think he's second in the SEC in rushing," Adams said. "They have the offensive weapons. I think it'll be a good test for our defense."
Under Bret Bielema, Arkansas has earned a penchant for physicality and blue-collar workmanship. The Hogs commitment to a culture of hard hitting has paid dividends, as they've beaten six ranked teams since 2014, including No. 15 TCU and No. 12 Ole Miss this season.
While the Razorbacks are still the same physical SEC West foe that the Tigers have become accustomed to, they're far from having a 'three yards and a cloud of dust' mentality on offense.
"In the last game I watched [Arkansas vs. Ole Miss], they seemed to use a lot of perimeter runs and passing," Adams said. "It wasn't the same as last year, you know, with a lot of whams and traps. But they still have that in their offense, in their arsenal."
Saying that Arkansas uses a lot of passing now is one way to put it. Allen, the brother of former Hogs quarterback Brandon Allen, leads the SEC with 1,861 yards and 18 touchdowns.
However, the Razorbacks ground game is still lethal. Williams, who suffered a neck injury in last year's meeting and had to be carted off the field, roared through Ole Miss' defense last week for 180 yards on 27 carries. Adams recognizes the significance of Williams facing the Tigers once again.
"That just proves that he's a blessed guy," Adams said. "That means he's been doing something right off the field, doing all his rehab. Now to come back with that second chance and to be doing what he's doing, it's just great to see."
Adams knows his team will be in for a hard-nosed battle, but defensive coordinator Kevin Steele's mantra of focusing on themselves has instilled the unit with the confidence necessary to exceed the Razorbacks' physicality.
"I feel like it'll be one of those games, just like LSU," Adams said. "Every day we're going to be physical. That's what we try to bring to a game every week, to make sure any team that plays us don't want to play us again."
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