Auburn (3-4, 1-3 SEC) hosts Arkansas (4-3, 1-3 SEC) Saturday (11 am CT SEC Network), with both teams returning from an open week. Bryan Harsin is 9-1 in his career as a head coach after bye weeks.

Auburn downed Arkansas last season 38-23 on the road. The Tigers enter the game this season on a three-game losing streak and Harsin is 9-11 in his second season on the Plains.

Any opportunity for Harsin to return for a third season would be easier with a win against Arkansas. An Auburn loss could send an already angry fan base into overdrive.

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To preview this weekend’s pivotal showdown, AL.com caught up with Arkansas beat writer Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette to answer five critical questions about the game. You can follow Holt on Twitter (@BobHoltADG) for more Arkansas coverage.

Here are our five questions:

1. These teams met under much different circumstances last season. What’s the biggest difference in Arkansas from last year to now?

Holt: I’d say the biggest difference is Treylon Burks, one of the best receivers in Arkansas history, has moved on to the NFL and was a first-round draft pick by the Titans.

The Razorbacks brought in some good receivers form the transfer portal — Jaden Haselwood from Oklahoma and Matt Landers (who began his career at Georgia) from Toledo — and they’ve played solid, and they have some young guys who are starting to show up in the passing game like Ketron Jackson and Bryce Stephens.

But no one can replace Burks’ big-play ability.

2. What makes KJ Jefferson special?

Jefferson is a true dual-threat who rushes the ball like a running back, but also has a strong arm and has been pretty accurate. He also has the ability to make nearly impossible plays such as at BYU when he appeared to be sacked, but broke three tackles and hit tight end Trey Knox for a 36-yard gain. He’s been durable while taking a lot of hits and has missed just one game (at Mississippi State this season) in two years as the starter.

3. How fun is it to watch Raheim Sanders?

ANSWER: Sanders is a lot of fun to watch, and he has a great nickname — “Rocket.” He’s taken to carrying a heavy load literally in becoming one of the top runners in the country. He’s lost two fumbles, but in both games (against Missouri State and BYU) he came back and had career-rushing days to help Arkansas win. He’s also a dangerous receiver.

4. How is Sam Pittman on a regular basis?

Holt: Pittman is a pretty down-to-earth guy and very personable, which is why he’s such a great recruiter. But he also can be tough when needed. He made changes to his staff each year that he felt were necessary.

Arkansas is really his dream job — he grew up a Razorbacks’ fan in nearby Grove, Okla. — and he’s appreciative of having been a career offensive line coach who got his shot to be an SEC head coach at age 58.

Pittman was a big part of Bret Bielema’s staff at Arkansas from 2013-15, and it’s no coincidence that when Pittman left for Georgia, things took a downturn for the Razorbacks, and Bielema was fired after the 2017 season.

The fact Pittman’s offensive linemen at Arkansas lobbied for him to get the head coaching job speaks volumes about his connection with his players.

5. Players to watch on offense and defense for the Razorbacks?

Holt: The players to watch on offense include QB KJ Jefferson, RB Rocket Sanders, and WR Jaden Haselwood. The guys to watch on defense include linebackers Drew Sanders (a transfer from Alabama) and Bumper Pool (Arkansas’ career leader in tackles) and cornerback Dwight McGlothern (a transfer from LSU who has 3 interceptions).