Auburn opens Southeastern Conference play Saturday, taking on Arkansas in a rematch of its 48-10 win last season.

Both teams look different coming into this season’s matchup, so expecting the same level of success from Auburn this time around is far from a guarantee.

Arkansas and Auburn both come into the game 2-1, dropping nonconference games in Week 2, and looking to start SEC play with a win.

Here’s a closer look at the Razorbacks:

The team

Arkansas enters its matchup with Auburn 2-1, with wins against UAB and Arkansas Pine Bluff and a Week 2 loss to Oklahoma State.

Through those three games, Arkansas ranks fifth in the country in total offense, led by Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green. The offense remains balanced, though, ranking in the top 15 nationally in both rushing and passing yards per game.

The Razorbacks gained 648 total yards in their loss to Oklahoma State, outgaining the Cowboys by nearly 300 yards. They lost that game in overtime, partly due to the offense’s three turnovers.

If there’s any weakness in Arkansas’ offense, it’s turnovers. The Razorbacks are 14th in the SEC in turnover margin at minus two. Auburn, however, is last at minus seven.

The coach

Arkansas is led by head coach Sam Pittman, who is in his fifth season in charge.

He was the subject of hot seat talk throughout the end of the 2023 season and offseason, having just finished a 4-8 season. The biggest change to come from last season’s shortcomings was the hiring of former head coach Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator.

Petrino was the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M in 2023, working with now Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin.

Defensively, Arkansas is led by Auburn alum and former assistant Travis Williams, who’s in his second season with the program.

He led Arkansas’ defense during its 48-10 loss to Auburn last season, and Pittman acknowledged that Saturday’s game could have extra meaning for Williams.

“Travis was here last year when we played them and we were very motivated then to play, and we got the head kicked out of us. I think there’s some motivation involved in that was well,” Pittman said Wednesday during the SEC coaches teleconference. “To ignore that he’s going back to Auburn and where he played would be silly, and so he certainly is excited about the opportunity.”

Players to watch

A few players stand out for Arkansas, but none more than Green.

Arkansas offensive success runs through the junior quarterback, who has thrown for 806 yards and three touchdowns through three games rushed for 245 yards and four touchdowns. Green is however coming off his worst performance of the season against UAB, where he was 11-of-26 passing for 161 yards and an interception.

He and running back Ja’Quinden Jackson lead Arkansas’ dynamic rushing attack and Jackson leads the SEC in rushing yards with 397.

Defensively, no one stands out more than preseason second team All-SEC defensive lineman Landon Jackson. Jackson had 44 tackles and six and a half sacks in 2023.

Arkansas will be without Jaylon Braxton and Hudson Clark against Auburn, per Wednesday’s availability report, both key pieces of the secondary.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m