Arkansas @ Auburn preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 8, 2011 ) Auburn 14, Arkansas 38

Refreshed Auburn, which was off last week after nearly upsetting LSU, hosts reeling Arkansas on Saturday with a chance to send the Razorbacks to their fifth straight loss. Auburn showed tremendous defensive improvement against LSU, but the offense continues to struggle behind sophomore quarterback Kiehl Frazier. Arkansas could be the cure as the Hogs rank last in the SEC in points allowed (40.6) and total defense (510.2). Auburn leads the series 11-9-1, but Arkansas has won four of the last six meetings, including 38-14 last season.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Auburn -10

ABOUT ARKANSAS (1-4, 0-2 SEC): The Razorbacks gave up 51 unanswered points in last week’s 58-10 humbling in College Station, Texas. They have been outscored 110-10 in two SEC games after entering the season as a darkhorse national title contender. Interim coach John L. Smith has tried to blame the defensive problems on youth and inexperience as Arkansas has giving up at least 24 points in every game. Quarterback Tyler Wilson has thrown for 1,355 yards and nine touchdowns, but has been picked off five times. Wide receiver Cobi Hamilton has caught 21 balls for 465 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the last two games.

ABOUT AUBURN (1-3, 0-2 SEC): Under new coordinator Brian VanGorder, the defense has steadily improved. Linebacker Daren Bates leads the SEC with 11.8 tackles per game. Defensive end Corey Lemonier has three multiple-sack games in his last eight outings and seven career forced fumbles. Frazier spent the off week reviewing film of the first four games and said he’s learning to go through all his progressions before scrambling. He has thrown two touchdowns against seven interceptions. Senior running back Onterio McCalebb heads a dynamic backfield committee and also is dangerous on special teams, leading the SEC in kick return average (36.8). The Tigers won't have wide receiver Quan Bray, who was suspended following an arrest last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Auburn has blocked three field goal tries this season, two by Lemonier and one by DT Angelo Blackson.

2. Auburn’s Cody Parkey has made nine straight field goals dating to last season.

3. Arkansas TE Chris Gragg missed the Texas A&M game with a bone bruise, but is expected to play Saturday.

PREDICTION: Auburn 34, Arkansas 24