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The Razorbacks' opponents have averaged 9.7 points in the third quarter of games and 7.3 in the fourth quarter. If a healthier Arkansas defense can limit Auburn's offense after halftime on Saturday it would go a long way in beginning the closing stretch of the regular season in a positive manner. BALANCE Glancing at SEC rushing defense numbers through Week 8, it is clear that Arkansas and its strong running game has a golden opportunity to have a big day on the ground this weekend. Auburn ranks last in the league in rushing yards allowed, and it is the lone SEC team giving up more than 200 rushing yards per game. Without question, the Razorbacks will attempt to lean on the Tigers' defensive front and generate offense with the run. But maintaining offensive balance and keeping Auburn on its heels is important, as well. Arkansas is one of the more balanced teams in the country, passing for 1,740 yards and rushing for 1,680. That 60-yard difference in passing and rushing totals is the smallest gap among the nation's 15 best offenses. "It's a double-edged sword for those guys," Arkansas right tackle Dalton Wagner said of opposing defenses. "Do you drop guys out to cover our edge threats or do you bring them in the box to try to stop (Raheim Sanders) and the run? It's unique to have the backs that we have and to have KJ (Jefferson) and the receivers. "It's a very explosive offense when we get things rolling." Tight end Trey Knox said this week that he believes the Razorbacks do not have any weak links on offense. "When you have that it makes a lot of things easier," he said. "We have the personnel that we can do either-or, and do what we want to on any given day." Arkansas is averaging 240 yards per game on the ground and 248.6 through the air. It has had 200-plus yards rushing and passing in four games this season, including its last two against Mississippi State and BYU. "We know we're going to try to run the ball on them," Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson said. "We know they're trying to stop the run, so we're going to balance it out and do a couple of RPOs and stuff like that. "We've been practicing a balanced attack on the offensive side of the ball." TANK BIGSBY Auburn's junior running back is arguably the best player on the team. He has rushed 99 times for 524 yards and 6 touchdowns this season. Bigsby, a 6-foot, 213-pound Atlanta native, was nearly unstoppable at Ole Miss when he rushed for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries. He busted a 50-yard run when it appeared the Rebels might start to pull away. But that outing followed a disappointing 10-carry, 19- yard game at Georgia, and he had 179 yards on 53 carries the month before that during a stretch of games against San Jose State, Penn State, Missouri and LSU. Arkansas has had trouble slowing Bigsby the past two seasons. In 2020, he had the sixth-most all-purpose yards (268) by an Auburn freshman as he rushed for 146 yards, totaled 106 yards on kickoff returns and had 16 yards receiving. He rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown last season in Fayetteville. Bigsby ranks ninth this year in the Pro Football Focus rankings of best running backs. There is thought he could be an early-round selection in the next NFL Draft. "He breaks a lot of tackles," Pittman said, "and that's the emphasis this week, trying to get him down before he gets started." MATT LANDERS The talented Toledo transfer entered Arkansas' game at BYU as the lone receiver among the Razorbacks' top four without a touchdown. He left Provo, Utah, tied for the team lead in receiving scores. Landers, Arkansas' clear No. 2 option in the passing game, heads to Auburn with 25 catches for 360 yards and those 3 touchdowns. He may be ready to take off after a confidence boost ahead of the bye week. "He hadn't caught a touchdown this year, and I think when he did that that was a big, big deal for him," Pittman said. "I think it was much-needed and important for him to be able to do that." Following the win over the Cougars, Pittman singled out Landers in the locker room, and teammates celebrated his play. He became the sixth Arkansas player with three receiving scores in a game and the first since tight end Jeremy Sprinkle in November 2015 against Mississippi State. That performance likely validated his decision to join the Razorbacks out of the NCAA transfer portal. According to PFF, Landers' receiving grade of 67.8 is second best on the team behind leading receiver Jadon Haselwood. And a key matchup to watch on Saturday could be Landers against Auburn cornerback D.J. James. James, according to PFF, has a coverage mark of 74.6 this season. That figure ranks sixth in the SEC among corners who have played at least 50% of their team's coverage snaps. He has allowed only 9 catches for 107 yards and 1 touchdown on 27 targets. "He's got to be good here in this run we're trying to make," Pittman said of Landers. SET THE EDGE Arkansas' offensive coaching staff has circled Auburn's Derick Hall in its prep over the last week. Hall, a 6-3, 256-pound edge defender, is one of the key cogs in the Tigers' defense and an X-factor in the unit's success. He enters Saturday second on the team with 40 stops and team highs in tackles for loss (7) and sacks (4). As a point of reference, Razorbacks linebacker Drew Sanders has 7.5 tackles for loss this season. Hall has also intercepted 1 pass, totaled 5 quarterback hurries and forced 1 fumble. "We're concentrating on Hall," Pittman said. "I think he's really, really special, and we can't let him wreck our game if at all possible." He is the head of the snake for a very capable group of Auburn defensive ends and edge players. Junior Colby Wooden has 6.5 tackles for loss, and Eku Leota had 5 TFLs prior to a season-ending pectoral injury against LSU. Marcus Bragg, a 6-5 senior defensive end, has a pair of tackles for lost yardage. "They're very twitchy, long and they have a strong desire to get to the quarterback," Pittman said. "You know, there's a lot to be said in that, as well. I really do like them. "They're talented. We're going to have to know where those guys are." According to PFF, Hall has 28 total pressures this season and Wooden has 22. No other active Tigers player has more than seven. Keys n Continued from Page 2 10.29.2022 BEST OF THE WEB Here are some selected comments from the message boards at wholehogsports.com. ARKANSAS FANS PONDER THE DEPTH CHART AS THE TEAM RETURNS TO SEC PLAY AGAINST AUBURN. armyhog: Well, the back end of the defense (on the depth chart) don't look like changes are coming. Same players and doing the same old stuff that hasn't worked yet! MattJones: If there were personnel changes decided upon during the off week, it is not going to be disclosed on the depth chart. You'll find out during the game Saturday. Remember that Malik Hornsby was the No. 2 QB on the depth chart for weeks until it was time to play the real backup against Alabama. The depth chart is interesting to discuss, but I take it with a grain of salt. ScottieBordelon: Really the only noteworthy change made this week was Ketron Jackson was listed as a starter and Warren Thompson dropped to a "two." Jackson has started the last three games. MEANWHILE, HOW ARE THE RAZORBACKS OPPONENTS DOING THIS YEAR? MattJones: I haven't watched any of its games, but it seems Missouri State went into free fall after leaving Fayetteville. The Bears have lost five straight by an average of 18 points, beginning with the loss to Arkansas. Three of those teams — South Dakota State, North Dakota and Southern Illinois — are among the best in the FCS. … I thought that team was going to win a lot of games this year. Right now the Bears are last in the Missouri Valley, a great FCS conference, but still surprising. ClayHenry: So you are saying they went into a ditch? eaglehog5: Definitely a head scratcher. On the flip side, Cincinnati's and South Carolina's seasons have not gone to heck in a handbag since losing to us. oklahog: Eagle, you nailed something I've been talking about to friends — Cincy and USC-E look really good right now. Should the Hogs win a few games we will get some positive props for those early wins. HOW MANY MORE WINS CAN WE EXPECT THIS SEASON? bayouhog: IMO, looks pretty bleak with our patchwork secondary. I say one, Missouri. jacksonreid: Are you a betting man, Bayou? If so, I take over 1. Name an amount you're comfortable with. bushhog: Would love 5-0 or 4-1, but 3-2 seems achievable. But I believe we are currently last in conference so I may have Hog-colored glasses. razorback339: I'm going with three: 7-5 then with a bowl win. neastarkie: I'm going with four. We beat AU, Liberty, either LSU or OM, and MU. I'm not giving up on beating both LSU and OM. Saying all that knowing we could lose three and perhaps four. I just don't believe we lose three or four. hogq: I'll have some of what some of you are having. We're 1-3 in the SEC, right there with Auburn. So I'd say that one is a toss up but goodness, I'd like to believe we can beat them if we're healthier. Liberty kicked the crap out of BYU this weekend. That's not a gimme. Ole Miss sort of showed they've played a weak schedule with how they played against LSU but they can put up a lot of points. I'm hopeful with a healthier secondary we can play them closer. … In order to win we're going to have to put up a ton of points. LSU is coming into their own. Maybe, just maybe, after a physical Alabama game the week before they play us they will have some depth issues of their own. youdaman: I'll go with three: Aub., Liberty, Missouri. uncleham: At least three. I believe we'll see a rejuvenated, healthy-ish squad. Defense makes some improvement and the offense carries us. HogDoctor: I agree with most of the replies that we could win several or do poorly. Depends on how healthy we stay on defense and with KJ Jefferson. I think we win two more: Mizzou and Liberty. Hoping I'm wrong and we beat Auburn Saturday. coloradohog: I, like most of you can see two-three perhaps, but see no way to stop LSU and Ole Miss at under 50 or 60. We are very poor and slow on defense and those two on offense are anything but. The battle for last place will be Saturday. jacksonreid: We'll beat Ole Miss in similar fashion to the way we did South Carolina. They can't stop the run to save their life. We'll bully them for four quarters. jambeau77: Three wins minimum. Which three is a toss up, but Liberty and Mizzou could be two of them. hogbacker: We get our guys in the secondary back that don't have season ending injuries would be a huge step. Hitting more passes in the slant and middle of the field would keep them from packing the line and stopping the run. Have an effective pass rush to move the QB off his spot at critical times in the game. We do these three things we would have an opportunity to win out, if not we could have a painful last half of season. razormac: Hogs will win out. We have better offense than every team we play and a defense that is just as good. KJ is going to start hitting backs with swing passes instead of running it out of trouble. The offense will become unstoppable in the second half. We will beat LSU because of turnovers and their mind gaffes. They have always been prone to stupid play making decisions. redpig: Without more injuries — all but one seems doable. Ole Miss may need an ambulance after they play 'Bama, or at least they will be expended. LSU is winnable but will take some emotional fire from our seniors. What can be said about Missouri? It probably is the worst possible season ending game for Arkansas. There is a history of sleep walking by the Razorbacks and Missouri apparently feels some actual border rivalry equating to a possible second loss in the last five games. I hope not. Going with a 4-1 close only because the defense is so stretched. thewerners4: I say 4-1, but we can't sleep on Liberty. They are ranked 27th this week, and have a bye week to prepare for us. MattJones: Barring an injury at QB, I think Arkansas should be favored to win at least three more games. I would not be surprised if the Razorbacks win or lose any of the five games. The offense is that good and the defense is that suspect. I call it Big 12 ball because it seems like that's what you see in most games in that league. stillgreghog: I could see anything from 5-0 to 1-4. I think the Auburn game will be very telling. Last weekend sure gave me pause. Liberty kicking BYU's butt shocked me and scared me a bit. LSU shocked me. Missouri has looked better than I expected at times, but didn't last weekend. I think I am going to still go with three more wins: Liberty, Missouri and one of the others. PREDICTING THE SCORE OF SATURDAY'S GAME AT AUBURN armyhog: Hogs 42, Tigers 12. Auburn kicks four field goals. jacksonreid: Arkansas 31, Auburn 20. neastarkie: I think we win by double digits, 35-24. gentryrzrbk: Hogs 55, Aubarn 17. Baumbastic_Hawg: Hogs 45, Plainsmen/ eaglets/tiggers 24. sdhog: Hogs 38, Auburn 28. lovemyhogsforever: Must keep it out of the reach of the refs. Hogs 24, Kittens 21. eaglehog5: Hogs 38, Auburn 28. All bets off if Mark Curles is working this game. Baumbastic_Hawg: Curles was fired as a referee. He still officiates but with reduced authority. silverlakehog: If he's on the field, Curles will still find a way to screw us. Can we get Fred Tally one more game of eligibility? Arkansas 34, Auburn/refs/replay officials 26. jimbeau77: Hogs 29, Aubie 24. We survive two bungled replays. Time runs out before a third replay attempt. dbhog: Hogs 42, Tiggers 24. harleyhawgidson: Hogs 35-27. marcm: 42-28, Hogs. danny: I thought we were a vastly better team than TAMU, both before and after our game. Yet, we figured out ways to lose… I think we are a better team than Aubie, but we have the same conference record and we're playing at their place. I have no idea or confidence in how we'll play. www.innisfreeseniorliving.com "Treating you like family" NOBODY'S PRICES OR CARE CAN COMPARE IN NWA! Innisfree Senior Living We are cheering on our College Team this season! GO TEAM! 300 Innisfree Circle • Rogers, AR • 479-636-7363 NOW HIRING QUALIFIED THERAPISTS & ESTHETICIANS Thanks for voting us the Best of the Best! FAYETTEVILLE 3557 North Shiloh Drive 479-571-3689 ROGERS 2603 W Pleasant Grove Rd 479-633-8340 Monday-Saturday 8 am-8 pm | Sunday 10 am-8 pm *Offer valid for first-time guests only. All session times include a total of 10 minutes of time for consultation and dressing, which occurs pre and post-service. Additional taxes and fees may apply. Each location is independently owned and operated. ©2021 ME SPE Franchising, LLC. All rights reserved. ME-DNLD-1969-00-002-8.5X3.625 $ 70 intro rate massage* Best of Northwest Arkansas the Now offering: CBD EnhanCEmEnt OptiOns & COmprEssiOn LEg sErviCEs college home. At schools he had visited previously, coaches and team personnel told him he would know where he was meant to go because he would experience "a feeling." They were right. He found it with the Razorbacks. "I remember he sat out on the front porch and (committed) and we were inside listening. It was fun," Susan said. "We had at least three other schools that we told we were coming for visits. We wanted him to find where he wanted to be, so we had these trips lined up. He said (Arkansas) was where he wanted to be. "I told him he needed to call those other schools himself and tell them what he was doing. He did, and he bowed out. That was it. He said, 'This feels like what I envisioned college to be.' "We're always just constantly amazed at the next steps he takes. We just hope he continues to be successful." Dalton Wagner, who shares the right side of the offensive line with Limmer, said the right guard approaches every day like a champion. That, he appreciates and respects. "He brings a lot to the table in terms of physicality, his strength and also his quickness and his nimbleness," Wagner said. "He does a lot of really good things in the run game. He's great to double-team with. It's so much fun to double-team with him. "He's a tremendous teammate, an even better friend and an awesome football player." Beaux n Continued from Page 3

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