Auburn Football vs. Arkansas: Five Auburn Players to Watch for

Here we list five Auburn football players to watch for against Arkansas this weekend as the Tigers take on the Razorbacks.

It’s a little hard to say we didn’t see that coming.

Mississippi State has had a rough season after losing their historically great quarterback, and it started with a bang in a loss against the University of South Alabama.

This, however, had not swayed anyone away from the possibility of beating Auburn at home, which only fuels the SEC bias issue.

After scoring three straight touchdowns following a missed Mississippi State field goal, it was evident that Auburn would have no issue with the Bulldogs.

A strong defense and a poised offense – following the first drive, of course – combined for early devastation.

What everyone expected to happen against Mississippi State, a struggle that would define Auburn’s season, is what we should see out of Arkansas this Saturday.

Arkansas has a powerful tandem at quarterback and running back, both who lead the SEC in passing yards and rushing yards, respectively.

Meanwhile, Auburn features a defense that is poised to fatigue in later quarters and will need 60 minutes of effort to take down the Razorbacks.

Here are five Auburn football players who hope to deliver a fatal blow to Arkansas this Saturday:

Carl Lawson

Against Mississippi State, Carl Lawson brought back the hype that seemed to smother him at the start of the season.

Finally, it appears there is a return to normalcy for the touted NFL prospect, who, with two sacks against the Bulldogs, is tied for second place in the SEC for sacks with six.

Partnered with his ability to rush the quarterback, Lawson has found a knack for getting the football out of the opponent’s cradle. A forced fumble against Mississippi State, which led to an eventual touchdown by Montravius Adams, proved that Lawson is a man on a mission.

Mississippi State, however, lacks the firepower that Arkansas boasts. A talented quarterback and running back, along with a receiver who is fifth in the SEC in receiving yards, Auburn’s defense will require another impressive outing from Lawson.

The Running Back

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With Kerryon Johnson out with a rolled right ankle, Karmyn Pettway stepped in against Mississippi State. A career day for Pettway with 169 yards on 39 carries and 3 touchdowns, the Johnson-Pettway regime at running back is a duo that I refuse to acknowledge as separate entities.

Pettway is the power, Johnson is the speed. It’s easy to drive down the field with Pettway grinding for four to five yards a carry, with Johnson providing the explosion for scores.

Johnson will return to the starting position at running back, as he has had two weeks to recover from a sprained ankle, and nothing will seem all too different.

With both Johnson and Pettway looking to carry the ball, Auburn will need to utilize their game to run down the clock to keep the Arkansas offense off the field, and keep a routinely fatigued defense resting.

Tony Stevens

The most important thing to win with confidence is consistency. Tony Stevens, who is seventh in the SEC for receiving yards, has been a model of consistency for the Auburn Tigers.

To put Steven’s performance into perspective, the next closest Auburn receiver on that list is Ryan Davis – at 37th.

In another routine outing for Stevens against Mississippi State with three receptions for 64 yards, the wide receiver corps has their leader and model for excellence.

Stevens will need to continue to bring out the best in his quarterback, Sean White, if Auburn has any chance of scoring against a tough Arkansas defense.

Sean White

Until the season is over, every ounce of pressure will reside with Sean White.

Everyone said that White would be needed against Mississippi State, a game that would inevitably define the season, yet this is the time Auburn actually needs him.

Following a 204 yard performance completing 14 of his 18 attempts with a touchdown to boot, White just needs to do the same thing he has been doing for the last few weeks.

White needs to manage the game, there’s no need to rush. Arkansas is physical and will be willing to use strength to fatigue the Auburn defense.

In order for the defense to succeed, White is going to need to be poised and ready to run down the clock.

Tre’ Matthews

Now a leader on defense, Tre’ Matthews has molded himself into a threat against the opposition. Leading the team with eight total tackles against Mississippi State, Matthews and company will be tasked with shutting down one of the SEC’s finest offenses.

Matthews, Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams will need to be weapons of mass destruction if they have any hope of stopping that Razorback power.

Next: Auburn Football vs. Arkansas: Odds and Expert Predictions

Here’s to a win against Arkansas and another prayer to Cam Newton’s poise under duress.