With Auburn Up Next, Arkansas Searches for Answers and a Win

The Razorbacks return to Razorback Stadium on Saturday with a genuine opportunity to snap a frustrating losing streak. After enduring a punishing run against higher-performing opponents, Arkansas now faces a team on a similar skid: the Auburn Tigers. Auburn has lost each of its last four games by an average of a single touchdown, while the Razorbacks’ two most recent defeats were even narrower, each decided by just a field goal.

Arkansas enters the matchup boasting the No. 1 offense in the SEC and fourth nationally, averaging 513.7 yards per game. Auburn’s defense, ranked eighth in the conference and 30th nationally, has allowed 316.7 yards per contest. While both units remain central strengths for their respective teams, the game may ultimately hinge on how Auburn’s struggling offense contends with one of the nation’s weakest defenses.

Progress Under Petrino

Razorbacks fans have reason for optimism. Despite recent losses, the team’s performance has shown noticeable improvement, and supporters have embraced the no-surrender mindset that interim head coach Bobby Petrino has instilled. The surge in effort is evident even in the toughest moments, and the team’s strong showings against 17 Tennessee and 3 Texas A&M were visible to all in the stadium. The last two contests under Petrino have seen Razorbacks supporters actively cheering and fully engaged.

The Hogs have had their share of opportunities, but mistakes and untimely defensive stops have kept potential season-defining victories just out of reach. This week, the focus has been on finding ways to seize those chances and finally return to the win column.

Petrino remains confident in his approach. On Monday, he discussed strategies such as converting red-zone field goals into touchdowns, emphasizing the importance of every game as he pursues a permanent role. He also praised the fans for creating an electric atmosphere and for their resilience in enduring literal storms, noting the impact their support has on the team’s performance.

Arkansas Offense Humming

Since the bye week, Arkansas’s offense has operated at an elite level, even against two potential College Football Playoff-caliber opponents. The resurgence has been spearheaded by veteran running back Mike Washington.

Washington rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries against Tennessee, then followed with 147 yards on 16 carries against Texas A&M. Before these performances, he had only surpassed 100 yards once, against Arkansas State in Week 2.

Quarterback Taylen Green has been equally impressive, leading the nation in total offense with 357 yards per game. Green has accumulated 589 rushing yards, the most of any quarterback outside of service academies, and ranks 12th nationally with 1,910 passing yards. His efficiency rating of 155.9 places him 26th nationally, and his 17 passing touchdowns are tied for ninth in the country.

Redshirt freshman KJ Jackson has seen brief action, completing a short goal-line pass and holding a career stat line of 10 completions on 12 attempts for 168 yards and a touchdown.

The Auburn defense has to worry. 

Defense Showing Improvement

The Arkansas defense has shown improvement, but there is still work to do. The Razorbacks have struggled to force turnovers this season, and success in that area could be key against an Auburn offense that excels at protecting the football.

Arkansas, with a record of 2-5 overall and 0-3 in SEC play, has forced only four turnovers this season, ranking 96th nationally. Auburn, 3-4 overall and 0-4 in conference play, has turned the ball over just three times. Arkansas interim head coach Bobby Petrino noted that forcing turnovers could have made the difference in last weekend’s loss to No. 3 Texas A&M, but those opportunities did not materialize.

"We've got to come up with some of the third down and fourth down stops that could flip the game right there and give us that chance to score and get another possession and find a way to win the game," Petrino said on Monday. "We've got to get some turnovers. We haven't had a turnover in a minute. Feels like a year. We've got to get some turnovers. Get some turnovers, and we'll be a lot better."

Arkansas is 1-0 this season when they win the turnover battle, but 1-5 when they lose or tie it. The Razorbacks have committed 11 turnovers this year, while Auburn has committed three but forced seven. Arkansas has not recorded a turnover since Week 4 against Memphis, leaving them without a takeaway in three consecutive games.

To end a five-game losing streak, the Razorbacks will need to protect the football and create takeaways against the Tigers in the third game under interim defensive coordinator Chris Wilson.

Fixing Crucial Mistakes

Since Bobby Petrino took over as interim coach ahead of the bye week, the Razorbacks’ mantra has been to keep looking forward and not dwell on past errors. No two players have embodied that approach more than running backs Mike Washington and Russell.

Both have had costly mistakes at key moments this season. Washington infamously fumbled deep in Memphis territory on the final drive, giving the Tigers the ball and, ultimately, the victory. Russell experienced a similarly devastating turnover with a fumble in the second half against Tennessee just two weeks ago.

Since those moments, the duo has bounced back, continuing to fuel Arkansas’ high-powered offense. Washington has rushed for 341 yards and a touchdown since the Memphis fumble, including consecutive 100-yard performances against Tennessee and Texas A&M.

Russell has had fewer opportunities than Washington but has made a strong impact when on the field. He gained 47 yards on eight carries against Tennessee, averaging 5.9 yards per attempt. Against Texas A&M, he ran four times for 36 yards, averaging 9.0 yards per carry. Russell emphasized that the key has been staying united and following Petrino’s guidance to move forward.

Definitely going to help the Hogs. 

Injuries Update

Arkansas was forced to rely on players along the defensive line last weekend who have not contributed significantly in key moments. That was partly due to injuries to senior defensive tackles David Oke and Danny Saili. Oke has missed most of the season, while Saili was injured late in the Tennessee game.

"Oke will not be available," Petrino said. "I feel like Danny's going to be good to go. Knock on wood, he should be in a situation where he can come out and play and help us. We're looking for that."

On the Auburn side, coach Hugh Freeze initially indicated several possibilities at quarterback. On Tuesday, he confirmed that Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold will continue as the starter. The Tigers also have Stanford senior transfer Ashton Daniels and highly touted five-star freshman Deuce Knight available.

"Hopefully Jackson can get us off to a fast start like he's done the last two games and continue that," Freeze said. "And Deuce is a man. He's handled everything extremely well for someone so talented and young, and he knows his time is coming. It's just a matter of when. But yes, we will have all three ready to play, including Deuce, Ashton, and Jackson."