Hold Tight Hoping For Razorbacks to Win Rest of Games

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Leave it to Arkansas to keep their fans teetering over the edge of a cliff during football season. That's the exact feeling everyone has over the past 12 seasons, desperation and holding on for next year. With as much stock put into the recruiting classes -- even if they've remained in the 20-29 slots in rankings. That hasn't been good enough to put the Razorbacks back on the level they were on from 1998-2011.

That timeframe feels as if it is so far away as the football program continues to sink further away from the good ole days. As the season felt like it was slipping away from Sam Pittman with his job on the line and a 2-6 record in year four being held over his head, the Florida victory quieted the talk for a few days.

Hot seat talk will have a fresh amount of cold water poured on it with victory over Auburn on Saturday. There is plenty of internal storylines including interim offensive coordinator Kenny Guiton's gameplan and execution carrying over to another SEC game. Defensive coordinator Travis Williams faces his alma mater with a defense that is performing admirably. Cam Little is playing at a high level being named a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, connecting on 8-of-10 field goals from 40-plus yards. The Oklahoma native has a long field goal of 56 yards this season with a 4-5 mark from 50-plus yards.

Hope is definitely there but Hog fans must hold their breath. Things can change week to week. While winning in The Swamp last week must be an appreciated feat, the challenge is now bowl eligibility.

"That's a big deal to come back to the state of Arkansas and play for those dedicated fans," Jefferson said. "Like you said, try to earn their respect back."

Turning fans heads after a big win should get fans in the seats on Saturday for a potential slugfest in Fayetteville. Auburn and Arkansas are quite similar defensively, the Tigers have the SEC's fifth best scoring defense allowing 22 points per game. The Razorbacks aren't too far behind them yielding 24 points an outing. With the potential for a solid crowd inside Razorback Stadium, the atmosphere will give Arkansas an edge of some sort and count for at least a three point swing-- enough to pull out a win on paper.

Auburn has given up quite a few yards on the ground this season as they sit at no. 12 in the SEC allowing 154 yards per game. Arkansas found their groove with their a season high 226 yards rushing, a vintage Razorback running game under Coach Sam Pittman. The Hogs have a very good run defense allowing 124 yards and only seven touchdowns in 2023.

The matchup between KJ Jefferson and Auburn's defensive backs will be one to watch. The Tigers allow a shade over 200 yards per game passing wise, good for third in the conference. Auburn boasts a very good touchdown to interception ratio that leads the SEC with 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

"They're really experienced on the back end," Jefferson said. [Auburn] has a lot of guys with experience. They all play as a unit, and they are very competitive."

HOGS FEED:

RAZORBACKS LAND SIGNATURE OF FORMER TOP 5 PLAYER TO PUT ERIC MUSSELMAN'S CLASS IN TOP 25

SEC IGNORING LONGSTANDING RIVALRY WITH TEXAS IN FUTURE BASEBALL PERMANENT OPPONENTS

AUBURN FOOTBALL MAY HAVE FALLEN INTO THIRD OF RELEVANT SPORTS DOWN ON THE PLAINS

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