Two one-win teams will clash Oct. 6 when Arkansas visits Jordan-Hare Stadium to play SEC West rival Auburn.
Both teams have had a sub-par year to date, and each will be in search for its \0x87first conference victory. \0x17The Razorbacks and Tigers are a combined 0-4 in conference play.
In recent years, the Auburn vs. Arkansas rivalry has helped decide who would win the Western division, but in this particular meeting, it may decide which team is set to \0x87 finish last.
Granted, it is not even halfway through the college football season, but an 0-3 record to begin SEC play does not bode well for any team.
\0x17The game will feature quarterbacks Tyler Wilson and Kiehl Frazier facing o\0x94ff in what will likely be an o\0x94ffensive slugfest.
Both defenses are weak when compared to the rest of the SEC, and each will have its hands full with the opposing o\0x94ffense.
\0x17The Arkansas defense has given up approximately 510 yards a game this season and almost 350 of those are through the air.
In its two SEC games, the team has scored a whopping 10 points to its opponents' 110.
Auburn has not been spectacular on defense either, but it isn't giving up astonishing yardage and points like Arkansas. \0x17Through its two SEC games, Auburn has given up 40 points, while scoring only 20.
\0x17The Tigers only gave up 10 defensive points to LSU in a game that could have gone either way, and the team will need to take that momentum and use it against quarterback Wilson and his wide receivers.
While the Razorback defense has had some trouble, the o\0x94ffense averages more than 400 yards per game.
Auburn's o\0x94ffense, meanwhile, averages just less than 300 yards per game, and has sputtered and completely stalled at times.
It's di\0x9Afficult to judge how a game between teams that are underachieving will turn out, but the Tigers have one big thing going for them: coaching.
With the loss of Bobby Petrino this o\0x94ffseason, Arkansas was dealt a massive blow to its seasonal expectations. The Razorbacks are learning that it is almost impossible to replace a coaching power such as Petrino in a short time. While the team should be improving at this time of the year, it is almost as if they are getting worse.
Auburn, on the other hand, is visibly improving every game. It's been said 100 times, but the Tigers are young, and young players require, and thrive under, good coaching.
Gene Chizik and his staff\0x94 must be giving the team just that, because the defense has noticeably improved, and so has Frazier.
Frazier may not be a top SEC quarterback, but with every game he gets better, and he will look to prove it against the weak Arkansas defense this weekend.
Kicko\0x94ff will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 6 on ESPN 2.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
