Arkansas and Auburn will clash on Saturday in a pivotal Southeastern Conference opener for both squads. Road teams have won the last three matchups between these two SEC foes, and the Razorbacks are looking to continue that trend on Saturday. Here are some true and false statements about Saturday's contest.
True or False: Arkansas vs. Auburn
True: Ja'Quinden Jackson will go over 100 yards for the fourth straight game
Jackson has been Arkansas' most dependable player over the first three games of the season, and there's no reason to suggest that will change on Saturday. Arkansas' offensive line proved during their game with Oklahoma State that it can be physical against elite competition, and with Jackson playing as well as any tailback in the country, he should hit the century mark. Establishing the run will be key in Arkansas upsetting the Tigers on the Plains, and in addition, Jackson's case for the Doak Walker award will only be strengthened no matter the result on the scoreboard.
False: Taylen Green will complete less than 50% of his passes for the second straight game
Green's 11-for-26 mark in the passing department against UAB was less than encouraging, but he will have ironed things out by the time the Hogs take the field on Saturday afternoon. If his stellar performance against Oklahoma State was any indication, he can step up in big moments, just as he did in the 2023 Mountain West Championship Game. Green still has a long way to go before he's considered an elite SEC quarterback, but a winning performance in his first SEC contest would go a long way. He may not go 30-for-30 against a solid Auburn defense, but he won't be airmailing passes over receivers' heads, either.
True: Andrew Armstrong will be Arkansas' most targeted receiver
Armstrong has 18 catches for 301 yards after playing just two games for Arkansas, and it's clear he's Green's most trusted target in the receiving corps. Green targeted Armstrong 13 times against both Oklahoma State and UAB, and Auburn would be wise to double the transfer from Texas A&M-Commerce every time he's on the field. It'd be shocking to not see Armstrong with double-digit targets on Saturday, if not double-digit receptions.
False: Arkansas will have ironed out its kicking issues
Kicker Kyle Ramsey had an easy job in Arkansas' season opener against UAPB, but he wilted under the bright lights in Stillwater, Okla. If Arkansas is going to take down Auburn, another 1-3 performance on the raod simply won't cut it, and even a 3-4 effort - such as Ramsey had against UAB - likely won't be enough. Not every Razorback kicker can be Cam Little, but Ramsey's lack of consistency has already hurt the Hogs. If Arkansas is downed in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday, don't be surprised if special teams is one of the major reasons why.
True: Arkansas will have less than eight penalties
Through the first three games of 2024, this statistic has yet to be proven false. Even in a game the Razorbacks handed to Oklahoma State on a silver platter, penalties weren't the root cause of the collapse. Discipline is key to winning road games in the SEC, and regardless of how Arkansas plays, penalties won't affect the outcome.
False: Luke Hasz will have less than five receptions
Arkansas' apathy towards the standout sophomore tight end has been rather confusing, but count on offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino to incorporate the Bixby, Okla. native into the gameplan plenty against Auburn. If Hasz's standout performance against LSU last year is any indication, he could be in for a big night that Arkansas desperately needs him to have. If Hasz has less than five catches on Saturday, it's time to start asking some serious questions regarding his use - or lack thereof - in Arkansas' offense.