Jefferson, Sanders Look to Lead Favored Arkansas Past Auburn
Auburn vs Arkansas Preview Has Host Razorbacks as Slight Fav's
Keep An Eye on the Injury Updates for Arkansas Heading Into the Auburn Clash
When the season began, Auburn had the seventh-best odds to win the SEC championship and Arkansas tied for 10th in the title odds. When looking at the Auburn vs Arkansas preview, both teams have been eliminated from the SEC West Division race for quite some time.
Auburn had won six games in a row against Arkansas and covered against the college football betting lines in five of those matchups before Arkansas went to Auburn in 2022 and won 41-27.
When analyzing the NCAA football betting odds, Arkansas is listed as the 2.5-point favorite. It is the first time the Razorbacks have been favored in back-to-back games against Auburn since the 1998 and 1999 matchups.
Arkansas is looking to beat Auburn in back-to-back years for the first time since a 38-14 win at home in 2011 and a 24-17 win on the road in 2012.
Auburn defensive lineman Mosiah Nasili-Kite will miss the rest of the season with a biceps injury.
For Arkansas, receiver Andrew Armstrong (46 catches, 623 yards) and running back Rashod Dubinion (260 yards) are questionable while tight ends Luke Hasz (16 catches in five games) and Ty Washington (11 catches) are out for the season.
When looking at the 2023 NCAA football schedule, both teams wrap up the regular season against ranked opponents later this month with Auburn playing host to Alabama on Nov. 25 and Arkansas welcoming Missouri to town on Nov. 24.
Auburn vs Arkansas 
Day/Time:
Location: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR
Streaming: SEC Network
Line: Arkansas -2.5
Total: 48
Can the Tigers Get Some Passing Grades?
There is some good news and some bad news when it comes to the Auburn offense.
First, the running game has shown signs of life as the Tigers are third in the SEC in rushing yards per game for the second season in a row. The Tigers rank in the top 30 in both rushing attempts and rushing yards.
Of course, much of that is a result of the passing game that has never taken flight with former Michigan State starting quarterback Peyton Thorne at the helm. Auburn ranks outside the top 100 in most passing categories. Keep that in mind when it comes to the Auburn vs Arkansas preview.
Auburn is 5-0-1 against the spread in its last six games played in November.
Looking for Some Healthy Pass Catchers
KJ Jefferson finally resembled the player who was expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC this season when the Razorbacks ended a six-game losing streak by beating Florida.
Jefferson threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a season-high 92 yards and another score in the 39-36 win. Jefferson’s strong game has something to do with the Razorbacks being favored according to the Auburn vs Arkansas preview.
Now there are more questions than answers surrounding the top pass catchers for the Razorbacks.
The biggest concern is focused on Armstrong, the team leader in catches and receiving yards.
Perhaps Arkansas will rely on running back Raheim Sanders a little more. After missing five of the last six games, Sanders had a season-best 103 rushing yards against Florida. He will be a popular choice in the NCAA picks and parlays.
Arkansas has covered in four of the last six games.
Last Meeting
Arkansas scored the first three touchdowns of the second half to push a four-point lead into a 25-point advantage as the Razorbacks won 41-27 as a four-point underdog on the road in a 2022 game that featured 998 yards of offense but also 17 accepted penalties.
The game went over the 60-point total on a field goal by Arkansas’ Cam Little with 1:55 left to play.
Auburn vs Arkansas Betting Preview
The question is whether either team will be able to stop the run in this SEC West Division matchup. In SEC play. Arkansas is 10th and Auburn is 12th in rushing defense.
Auburn can become bowl eligible with a win on Saturday while Arkansas would need to win its final three games to achieve bowl eligibility.
Eight of the last nine games between the teams landed over the total and with a total of 48, this will be just the second time in the 15 meetings between Auburn and Arkansas that the total is under 50.
Auburn has allowed touchdowns on just 14 of 28 drives into the red zone by opponents this season. That red-zone defense could play a role in whether the game lands over the total.
Arkansas has failed to cover in three of its four games this season as a home favorite while Auburn is 0-2 against the spread as the underdog on the road.
With temperatures expected to be in the high 50s and most sunny conditions, there wouldn’t be any weather issues to contend with.
Auburn has dropped eight of its last 10 road games and is 4-14 in the last 18 games against SEC foes.
If Armstrong is unable to go, don’t be surprised to see a late-line move in this matchup.
For NCAAF betting news, NCAAF spreads analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
