Somehow, Hugh Freeze survived another Auburn Tiger loss, and looks to redeem himself this week versus the Arkansas Razorbacks in Week 9. Now, the Tigers sit at 3-4 and are second-to-last in the conference – just below Arkansas. Meanwhile, Arkansas is just 2-5 and looking to rebound. This matchup is like looking in a mirror, so let’s dive in.
Auburn Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks: Matchup History and Excerpts
Auburn and Arkansas have played each other 34 times since 1984, with 33 of those matchups being after Arkansas joined the SEC in 1991. The Tigers have 20 wins, 15 losses and one tie versus the Razorbacks.
For the third year straight under Hugh Freeze, Auburn has started 0-4 in SEC play following its loss to Missouri. In his weekly press conference, Freeze stated that it is the goal of the team to win out, and they will exhaust all options to do so. This was in response to a question about if Jackson Arnold will continue to start.
No matter who starts at quarterback, Auburn has to win against Arkansas, and their key players will need to step up in this contest.
Auburn vs. Arkansas 2025 Preview: Keys to the Game
Auburn Tigers: Key Offensive players
Auburn’s offensive line has been less than stellar, especially considering the lofty expectations they had this year. Unfortunately, the anchor of that offensive line, center Connor Lew, tore his ACL and is out for the remainder of the season. Thus the first two key players for Auburn are Lew’s potential replacements.
Kail Ellis, the 17-year-old freshman, has stepped in for Lew when he missed plays against Oklahoma and after he left the Missouri game. Ellis has succeeded for a freshman that has been thrown into the fire of SEC play. The freshman has been good as Lew’s replacement and should be given the opportunity to start.
If he is not the replacement, then Mason Murphy will be, and he is the next key player. Murphy transferred to Auburn from USC and has started all seven games this season at right tackle. However, he has the versatility to play center. If he is the center, then Freeze said that Izavion “Too Tall” Miller will play right tackle in his place. Miller has incredible versatility and has played all over the offensive line in his career at Auburn.
The next key player is Cam Coleman. The sophomore wide receiver is a key to Auburn’s success on offense. He has yet to be hit on many deep balls this season and battled drops early in the Missouri game. Coleman has 30 receptions for 413 yards and two touchdowns on the year. Auburn has to figure out how to improve their deep passing game and it starts with using Coleman. Auburn should rely on the 6-foot-3 superstar in the redzone more frequently.
The final key player for Auburn’s offense is the quarterback position. Jackson Arnold has been the starter for seven games. In those contests he has 1190 passing yards, five touchdowns, and one interception on 63.0 completion percentage. He also has amassed 100 carries for 261 yards and seven rushing touchdowns and has been sacked 26 times.
Arnold has shown small improvements, but continues to fall apart late in the game. He has the talent to be the starter at Auburn. However, if he is not, then Freeze will look to transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels or freshman quarterback Deuce Knight. Daniels has similar or better mobility than Arnold, so the offense could look more efficient depending on Daniels’ ability as a passer. Knight, while not as mobile, has great arm, and is seen as the future. He can give Auburn fans a glimmer of hope in his potential first start.
Arkansas Razorbacks: Key Offensive Players
Since Sam Pittman’s firing, Bobby Petrino has gotten the Razorbacks close to two huge upsets over Tennessee and Texas A&M. This game feels primed for Arkansas to “upset” Auburn and end Hugh Freeze’s tenure at Auburn. Arkansas’ offense has obviously been the driving factor in this, and that leads to the key player for the Razorbacks, starting quarterback Taylen Green.
Green has 1910 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions on 62.0 completion percentage. He is an extremely dangerous dual-threat, with 83 carries for 589 yards and five touchdowns while only giving up 15 sacks. Last year, Green had a mediocre game against Auburn with 151 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He added 18 carries for 80 yards in what ended up being a win for Arkansas last year. Auburn is going to have to contain his legs or disrupt his passing to have a chance to win.
The next key player for Arkansas is running back Mike Washington Jr. Washington has 96 carries for 671 yards, both of which lead the team. He has scored five rushing touchdowns this season as well. Washington has some ability to catch out of the backfield with 11 receptions, 121 yards, and one touchdown on the year. Auburn’s rush defense has been stout this year, so if Arkansas wants to win they will need to find a way to get Washington going alongside Green.
As a little bit of a surprise, the final key player for Arkansas’ offense is senior tight end Rohan Jones. Jones is a surprise because he doesn’t lead the team in receptions or yards, but does lead in yards per catch at 31.2. Rohan has nine receptions for 281 yards and three touchdowns. When he touches the ball he explodes and at just the right time. Auburn will have to key on him all game or fall to an explosive play by the tight end.
Auburn Tigers: Key Defensive Players
DJ Durkin has had his defense playing lights out this season, and they are the sole reason Auburn has remained in games the last four weeks. That defense has been led by our first key player, Xavier Atkins.
The transfer linebacker from LSU has blown expectations out of the water since coming to Auburn. He leads the team in tackles (48), has recorded five sacks, one pass defended, and one interception this year. He is the definition of all over the field. Atkins will be a key in stopping Mike Washington Jr. and Taylen Green in the run game. He will also be key in monitoring the middle of the field and creating pressure in the pass game.
The next key player is Keyron Crawford. Crawford is tied with Atkins on the team with five sacks. He also has 24 tackles and recorded one interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery. Crawford’s presence across from Keldric Faulk has proved effective. Both Crawford, Atkins, and Faulk will be essential in stopping the run and containing Green when the pocket breaks down. Crawford has been excellent all season and will need to maintain this for Auburn to have a chance against this talented Arkansas offense.
An honorable mention is Keldric Faulk. His stat line may not show it because teams are scheming against him, but he is a force to be reckoned with and part of why Crawford is having such a good year. Faulk is the heart and soul of the Auburn defense.
Kaleb Harris is the final key player for Auburn in their Week 9 matchup. Fellow defensive backs Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee both recorded their first interceptions last week against Missouri. It’s time for Harris, who is a hard-hitting safety, to get his own interception of Green this week. Harris has 28 tackles, good for third on the team, and one pass defended. He has been good, but still has potential to be even better. If Harris can help put pressure on Green, then Auburn can win the game.
Arkansas Razorbacks: Key Defensive Players
Arkansas defense has been equivalent to the Auburn offense in the fact that it is the weakness of the team. The good news for Arkansas is they still have players giving it their all, and this is no more evident than our first two key players. The linebacker tandem of Xavian Sorey Jr. and Stephen Dix Jr. are the two key players on the Arkansas defense.
Sorey has 53 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, two passes defended and one interception. He can be a stat sheet stuffer and is going to stick his nose into every play. He only had two tackles in the game last year, but that was an anomaly compared to the rest of his season. Dix is no different, as he has 47 total tackles this year. However, he has yet to record the other key defensive stats Sorey has. With that in mind, it’s worth mentioning that Dix recorded two tackles, one pass defended, and a fumble recovery last year against Auburn. So we know that he can also be a player that is all over the field. These two players highlight the strength of what is an overall weaker SEC defense for Arkansas.
The final key player for Arkansas is senior defensive back Julian Neal. Neal has the potential to be a ball-hawk and that is clear by his stats. He’s tied for third on the team in tackles with 39, and leads the team with six passes defended and two interceptions. Neal will have the primary responsibility of covering either Cam Coleman or Eric Singleton Jr. Standing at 6-foot-2, Julian Neal might be a better matchup for Coleman based on his height. If he can contain Coleman, the Auburn offense will sputter.
2025 Game Preview: How Auburn wins vs. Arkansas in Week 9
Auburn has to run the football. With new pieces on the offensive line and struggles at the quarterback position, it makes the most sense to establish the run early and often. It also helps that two of Arkansas’ interior defensive line have been injured, so Auburn should run right at the interior.
Offensively, Auburn has to figure out how to play better and more consistently, and play to the strengths of its quarterback. If they can do that, the defense will keep them in the game.
Defensively Auburn has to contain Taylen Green. Green’s dual-threat ability makes him a constant threat and opens up the Razorback offense. Auburn will have to key on this early.
Score prediction: 31-28, Arkansas
Hugh Freeze Firing Prediction: He’s a goner
Auburn Football: Recruiting Roundup
With Auburn on the road, no visitors will occur in Week 9. Last week, Jordan Carter a four-star Texas A&M commit, made a visit that was not scheduled prior to our Auburn-Missouri game preview. This is huge for Auburn’s class because they need edge rusher and defensive line help.
Bralan Womack also made some interesting comments, but his passion for being an Auburn Tiger was heard loud and clear. He will be a key recruit for whoever the head coach is to retain.
At Tiger Talk (a local speaking event for Coach Freeze) he mentioned that he hoped for some good news on two defensive commits, and the hope is that this is Corey and Chris Wells. The other recruit that has not been mentioned, but is getting some serious attention recently is three-star running back Cooper Crosby. Crosby is uncommitted right now, but has garnered serious attention from Auburn and running back is a large position of need for the Tigers in this recruiting cycle or the next. Stay tuned for next week’s article and recruiting roundup as Auburn is back home.
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