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In anticipation of this weekend's game, HawgBeat compared the projected starting lineups for Arkansas and Auburn using the players' star ratings as recruits and their Pro Football Focus grades from this season.
We also did a side-by-side statistical comparison of the two teams using their numbers through the first two weeks of the season.
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Stat Comparison - Auburn | Arkansas (FBS rank, out of 74)
Offense
Scoring: 17.5 (t-65th) | 15.5 (t-68th)
Total yards: 270.0 (71st) | 277.5 (70th)
Passing: 205.0 (56th) | 207.5 (54th)
Rushing: 65.0 (72nd) | 70.0 (71st)
Third downs: 40.0% (t-49th) | 28.6% (67th)
Sacks allowed/game: 2.0 (t-31st) | 2.5 (t-47th)
Turnovers: 1 (t-6th) | 5 (t-49th)
Defense
Scoring: 20.0 (18th) | 25.5 (t-32nd)
Total yards: 413.0 (44th) | 393.5 (33rd)
Passing: 239.5 (33rd) | 289.5 (57th)
Rushing: 173.5 (53rd) | 104.0 (20th)
Third downs: 63.6% (74th) | 32.4% (18th)
Sacks/game: 1.5 (t-50th) | 2.0 (t-37th)
Turnovers forced: 3 (t-38th) | 6 (t-15th)
Star Comparison (using Rivals ratings)
Breakdown
Tied: 6
Auburn: 10
Arkansas: 6
(NOTE: Simeon Blair - a former walk-on - has started both games this season, he started at the second nickel spot in the "dime" package against Mississippi State. We could have gone with Blair or Joe Foucha - who is listed with an "or" on the depth chart beside Blair - but we opted for Slusher because he started at the second safety spot last week.)
Pro Football Focus Comparison (using season grades)
Team Grades (Auburn | Arkansas)
Overall: 58.7 | 69.4
Offense: 62.8 | 62.8
Passing: 70.0 | 77.0
Rushing: 76.7 | 56.8
Receiving: 60.0 | 61.1
Pass blocking: 45.7 | 55.2
Run blocking: 56.1 | 62.3
