Razorback Pregame Hot Points vs. Auburn
Biggest road test
Three weeks after a home shot at then-No. 1 Alabama, the Razorbacks go to No. 7 Auburn in a must-win game for a BCS bowl to be possible. Auburn is a better team than the one that came to Fayetteville last year. Cam Newton is the reason the Tigers are better. Despite the score, Arkansas played its best overall game against Alabama and will have to play even better to top Auburn

HOG DB JERICO NELSON

Big QB Challenge II for the defense
Goal-CONTAIN NEWTON
Newton is going to make plays so the HOGS must limit the scope of those plays. The Tiger QB averages 112 yards and 17 carries a game. He ranks 17th in the country in rushing! On top of that, he is No. 2 in passing efficiency in the NCAA. This will be a monumental task for the Razorback defense.

Goal-DO NOT GIVE UP THE BIG PLAY
Auburn has a stable of players besides Newton who can make a big play running or receiving. Darvin Adams is Newton's favorite receiver along with Terrell Zachery. Mario Fannin, Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb get their share of carries. Each has his own style. Kodi Burns catches, runs and throws for the Tigers. While Auburn has shown the ability to grind out long drives, they have the players for quick strikes. MAKE THEM WORK FOR IT has to be the defense's cry.

Goal-KEEP AUBURN IN THE 20s
Only twice has Auburn been held in the twenties or less, but it still won three-point games in both cases. The Tigers average 36 points a game, so keeping them under 30 will go along way to a Razorback victory.

Win field position with the kicking game
Goal-SOME RETURN YARDAGE
Dylan Breeding is doing his job turning over the field, but if you had to guess would you believe Arkansas ranks third in punt return average and sixth in net punting in the SEC!? Good thing Auburn is ninth & ninth. Kickoff returns are a different story. The Tigers are eighth (not great), but the Razorbacks are 12th. Let's see if practice this week helped the return team.

Goal-GET THE BALL IN THE END ZONE
Alex Tejada can help the Razorback cause by getting the ball 7 yards deep in the end zone. It has been a couple of weeks since we have seen that.

HOG QB RYAN MALLETT

Offensive Swagger
Goal-FOUR QUARTERS OF OFFENSE
This repeat from last week still stands. Arkansas must generate scoring drives in the third and fourth quarter of this game to have a chance.

Goal-NO DRIVE-KILLING PENALTIES
This is repeat No. 2. Not much to add.

Goal-TAKE ADVANTAGE
Arkansas has not done much with the turnovers the defense has given them this entire year. It better start now! If you get a short field, you must put points on the board.

Goal-EXECUTION
All of the above can be covered in this simple thing. We know the Razorbacks have the offensive talent. This needs to be the game we see great execution.

So just how good are the No. 7 Auburn Tigers? Their offense is good but can be stopped. The Tigers' defensive stats should leave the Razorbacks licking their chops. Auburn ranks 91st in passing defense and 46th in scoring defense in the NCAA. Are you surprised that the Razorbacks rank 19th in total defense and 13th in scoring defense in the country? The Arkansas defense needs to play to its ranking, and the offense must make Auburn's defense play to its average. It has happened on the plains before. One complete game to start a huge four-game run that could lead to a BCS bid. That is what Bobby Petrino and Razorback fans are looking for. Go Hogs!

"