Arkansas Razorbacks News: Preparing For Auburn

Last week’s talk was all about the rematch from the wild game Arkansas had against Ole Miss last year, but last year’s game against Auburn isn’t getting that same recognition and it went to four overtimes! Hugh Freeze downplayed how much he thought about his overtime loss, Gus Malzahn on the other hand says the game still makes him mad. So the revenge narrative is much more palpable this weekend.

Arkansas has had their share of offensive line issues this season, but most of the shifting around happened in the preseason, Auburn has had some moving parts at the line the past two weeks. So for this weekend against the Hogs, Malzahn is keeping quiet on who will be starting at the line for them. The past two weeks have been two of the more successful games for their O-Line so I would expect as much carry over as possible.

Looking backwards a bit now, Saturday Down South looked at where the Hogs stood at this point in the season last year, and things are significantly better right now. Last year Arkansas was at 3-4 and had just started to turn things around. Right now there are some tough games left on the schedule, but being just one win away from a bowl game in October is a much more calm spot to be than last season.

ESPN’s writers chose their midway All-SEC team and one of the most wide open spots was at quarterback. Chad Kelly was expected to be the clear leader but several quarterbacks have made huge strides and the case is made for Austin Allen as the most impressive at his position. Granted the quarterback position in the SEC isn’t as deep as it has been in the past, but Allen has definitely hit the ground running faster than most expected.

A brief basketball note, with SEC Media Days happening this week, the preseason rankings came out, and Arkansas was picked to finish fifth in the league. They also find themselves with two votes in the preseason coaches poll.