Auburn vs. Arkansas, the 34th edition is occurring this Saturday, September 21. Auburn leads the series 20-12-1 and has the current streak of one, as they beat Arkansas last year. During the preseason, this game felt much easier. Yet with Auburn’s struggles against Cal and the emergence of Arkansas’ quarterback, the matchup has become extremely intriguing.
Both teams need a win. Auburn must continue the positive momentum they have been building. Meanwhile, Arkansas may have to potentially save Sam Pittman’s job as the head coach. We will take a look at key players for both sides, and the keys for the Auburn Tigers to win the game. An important side note is that current Arkansas coach and former Auburn player and coach Travis Williams will be returning to Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Key Players for Auburn
In the last game, Auburn defeated New Mexico 45-19 in Hank Brown‘s first career start. This was a key step for the Auburn vs. Arkansas matchup, because Brown will be a key player in this game.
Against the Lobos, Brown went 17 of 25 for 235 passing yards and four touchdowns. He was quick and decisive, only holding onto the ball for an average of two seconds. This will have to continue against Arkansas and will be a true test of Brown against upper-echelon competition in the SEC.
Hank Brown had an average "time to throw" of 2.0 seconds last night. My guy WAS NOT holding on to the ball. Straight letting it fly. #auburnfootball @thewarrapport
— Mike G. (@mikegittens) September 15, 2024
Another key player for the Auburn Tigers vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks matchup will be running back Jarquez Hunter. Against New Mexico, Hunter had a career-high 20 carries, which more than doubled his carries for the season. This had to happen for Auburn to have success against New Mexico and will have to happen for the Tigers to stay in the contest against Arkansas.
The final key player on offense – if he plays – is freshman wide receiver Cam Coleman. Coleman missed the bout with the Lobos (which makes Brown’s performance even more impressive), but Coleman is looking promising to play against Arkansas. His explosive athleticism and ability to catch anything thrown at him makes Coleman a weapon.
If Coleman does not play, look for more action from fellow freshman wide receiver Malcolm Simmons. Simmons, at the very least, seems like he will get more playing time in the return game. However, head coach Hugh Freeze has hinted at more action in general for the talented freshman.
Defensively, the Tigers will need to lean on their defensive line, specifically Jalen McLeod, Keldric Faulk and Malik Blocton.
Arkansas quarterback, Taylen Green, is mobile like New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier; and probably even more so than Dampier. This will require Auburn to maintain containment and pressure on Green. The best way for them to do that is to rely on their three best defensive linemen. Expect Jerrin Thompson to play an important role in the secondary, but he will need help from McLeod, Faulk and Blocton.
Key Players for Arkansas
The Razorbacks are lead by junior quarterback Taylen Green in the Auburn vs. Arkansas matchup. Green has 806 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions on the season. He also has 41 carries for 245 yards and four rushing touchdowns – and that is what makes him so dangerous. Green can run and throw and this could potentially ruin the Auburn Tigers chances of winning.
Green is supported by running back Ja’Quinden Jackson and wide receiver Andrew Armstrong. Jackson leads the team with 47 carries and 397 yards with six rushing touchdowns. He has also added five receptions for 49 yards, potentially making him a threat out of the backfield.
Meanwhile, Armstrong leads the team with 18 receptions and 301 yards. While he is the only receiver with double-digit receptions, he has not scored a touchdown this year. Auburn’s secondary will have its hands full with Andrew Armstrong and Taylen Green.
Defensively, Arkansas is lead by Xavian Sorey Jr., TJ Metcalf and Doneiko Slaughter. Sorey, a junior linebacker, leads the team in total tackles with 23. He also has tallied one sack, which is a five-way tie for team lead. Sorey is getting his first crack as a starting linebacker and is making the most of it. He will be key to stopping the Tigers run game in the Auburn vs. Arkansas game; and if he succeeds, that will force Auburn to be one dimensional and they are not ready for that yet.
Metcalf and Slaughter are leaders in the defensive backfield for the Razorbacks. Metcalf is second on the team in tackles with 21, and is one of two players that has intercepted a pass. Having a defensive back like Metcalf will be key in stopping the run for the Razorbacks.
Slaughter is no tackling slouch either, with 15 total tackles so far this year, placing him fourth on the team. He is also the leader in pass breakups (3) for Arkansas. He will be a key defender in determining how good of a day Hank Brown has.
Auburn Tigers Keys for Victory
The keys for an Auburn victory are similar to last week. They need to establish the run offensively to get their offensive line and their redshirt freshman quarterback comfortable. This will hopefully allow for Hank Brown to be quick and decisive, getting the ball to his playmakers in the Auburn vs. Arkansas game. As long as he is not rushing decisions and going through his progressions, Brown has shown that he has the arm talent and accuracy to help lead the Tigers to victory.
Defensively, it all comes down to containing the rushing attack of Taylen Green. If the Auburn defensive line can do so, they can limit his runs from being an 11-yard gain to a six-yard gain; and potentially force him into making a couple of poor decisions. This is also Green’s first SEC start, so he will also have to learn and adjust to the speed of an SEC defense. Auburn just has to actually show him what that is like.
Recruiting Roundup
As mentioned in the New Mexico preview, multiple insiders mentioned a commit coming last weekend for the Auburn Tigers. That commit came in the form of four-star linebacker Elijah Melendez flipping his commitment from Miami(FL) to the Auburn Tigers.
Melendez is 6 feet 2 inches and 230 pounds out of Osceola, FL. He will be a much-needed addition for the Auburn defense.
Rumors are that Deuce Knight may show up for his third Auburn game this season while still being committed to Notre Dame. Two 2026 prospects will also be in attendance in four-star EDGE Tristan Lyles and four-star safety Jireh Edwards. Both could add to an already stout defensive class for the Auburn Tigers 2026 recruiting class which currently sits at fourth in the nation.
