Auburn's defense lost a lot of stability ahead of its matchup against Arkansas.
Linebacker Bryce Deas and safety Sylvester Smith-Reed were ruled out on Friday night, while cornerback Andre Jordan Jr. remains questionable.
Missing key pieces in the front seven and secondary creates serious concerns against a Razorbacks offense that features a six-foot-six receiver coming off a breakout performance.
Why does Bryce Deas matter so much?
Deas emerged as one of the most reliable anchors of Auburn's defense after stepping into a starting linebacker role alongside Elijah Melendez. PFF highlights his reliability with just six missed tackles and the highest run-defense grade among the team's linebackers.
Replacing his consistency and run support will be a tough task for the coaching staff, especially with Arkansas expected to challenge the middle of the field. It also doesn't help that Deas was one of the better coverage linebackers. Losing him also opens up the passing game for Arkansas, which is also getting a boost because of AnQuon Fegans's injury and Andre Jordan Jr. being questionable.
How healthy are Jordan Jr. and Fegans, really?
Cornerback Andre Jordan Jr. and safety Fegans both left the Ole Miss game with lower-leg injuries. Fegans was left off the SEC availability report, indicating he is cleared to play, though it remains to be seen if he will be at 100 percent. Jordan Jr. is still officially listed as questionable.
Those defensive backfield question marks come at a bad time against sophomore wideout Antonio Jordan. At six-foot-six and 228 pounds, Jordan presents a tough matchup for any secondary, and he proved as much by catching seven passes for 106 yards against Missouri. Arkansas coaches have noted since last season that his rare blend of size and speed makes him exceptionally difficult to cover.
Can Arkansas take advantage?
Jordan isn't the only threat in the passing attack. Chris Marshall leads the Razorbacks with 633 receiving yards, while quarterback KJ Jackson has thrown for 1,673 yards and seven touchdowns on the year. Meanwhile, Sutton Smith, Cam Settles, and Braylen Russell combine for over 600 rushing yards as a three-headed attack.
Despite those offensive weapons, Arkansas has struggled to produce consistently, averaging just 19.6 points per game. That is a real problem for the Hogs, as they are well behind Auburn’s 24.1 points per game. If the defense allows Jackson to make explosive plays with Chris Marshall and Jordan, it might be a long day for this Tigers defense, giving up points to a team doing worse than them.
What needs to happen for Auburn to win?
Auburn will need players like DeMarcus Riddick and Champ Anthony to step into larger roles immediately and make plays. Riddick might be able to compensate for Deas' tackling in the box, while defensive back rotations need to be made so big plays aren’t given up.
If Jordan Jr. can't suit up, hyper-athletic players like Anthony, even for as talented as he is, will face a tough challenge containing Jordan and Marshall on the perimeter.
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