FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Three weeks after the dismissal of coach Sam Pittman, the Arkansas Razorbacks are now being led by interim head coach Bobby Petrino.
They’ll attempt to reset Saturday when they host the Auburn Tigers in an SEC matchup at Razorback Stadium.
Arkansas (2-5, 0-3 SEC) still has yet to notch a conference win, and Petrino’s mandate is clear: establish consistency, direction and execution.
Meanwhile, Auburn (3-4, 0-4 SEC) is also in search of forward motion under coach Hugh Freeze. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. on the SEC Network.
“Being close doesn’t count in this league,” Petrino said this week. “We’ve got to finish drives and finish games.”
Freeze was candid.
“Our defense has been competitive,” he said, “but when you don’t give them help with time of possession or field position, it wears them down.”
Under Petrino, Arkansas’ offense has taken steps forward. Quarterback Taylen Green leads the team with 1,910 passing yards and 17 touchdowns this season.
Running back Mike Washington Jr. has accounted for 696 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Wide receiver O’Mega Blake is next with 582 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.
On defense, linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. leads the team with 53 tackles. Yet third-down defense remains a concern; opponents continue to convert at a high clip.
Petrino has repeatedly emphasized that stopping drives on third down will be key.
For Auburn, the offense has not lived up to expectations. Their 2025 season so far shows averages of just over 23.5 points per game on offense and nearly 18 points per game allowed on defense.
Quarterback Jackson Arnold has thrown for 1,190 yards, 5 touchdowns and 1 interception through seven games. Running back Jeremiah Cobb has 564 yards on 89 carries and 4 touchdowns in that span.
Despite the offensive stagnation, Auburn’s defense has held up reasonably well—opponents are averaging 316.7 yards per game.
Still, Auburn’s offense has converted only 3-of-14 third downs in their most recent SEC loss to Missouri, highlighting the breakdown in execution.
This will mark the 34th meeting between the two programs. Auburn leads the series 20-12-1. Arkansas has picked up two wins in the last three match-ups, but the Razorbacks have not beaten Auburn in Fayetteville since 2015.
Petrino’s return adds urgency and intrigue
Petrino’s return to Arkansas—where he previously coached from 2008-11—adds a storyline of redemption and urgency.
Athletics director Hunter Yurachek has indicated this season will have big impact on the direction of the program going forward.
Meanwhile, for Freeze, another road loss would deepen questions about the Tigers’ trajectory in his third year on the job.
For Arkansas, controlling penalties is a top priority. The Razorbacks are averaging 8.3 flags per game, which often derails drives.
For Auburn, establishing a rhythm offensively remains crucial. Without one, their defense risks overexposure.
Explosive plays could be decisive. Arkansas has generated 27 plays of 20 yards or more this season.
Auburn has just 16 on that scale. If the Razorbacks hit early, they could force Auburn into playing catch-up.
ESPN’s Football Power Index currently gives Auburn a slight 52 percent chance to win, largely due to their defensive numbers, but Arkansas’ home field and upward offensive trend under Petrino could tilt the balance.
“This is where we find out who wants it more,” Petrino said.
Both teams are playing for meaning beyond the scoreboard: Arkansas for a first SEC win and validation under Petrino, Auburn for restoration and stability under Freeze. Expect a lower-scoring, physical game settled in the fourth quarter.
A win for Arkansas would provide a tangible marker of progress. A win for Auburn would keep bowl hopes alive and ease the pressure.
What’s at stake for both programs
For Petrino, this is a chance to show Arkansas fans that his return isn’t just symbolic but it’s about restoring an edge the program lost over the last several seasons.
He has spoken openly about wanting the Razorbacks to “play fast, play physical, and look like the team we used to be.”
Freeze, meanwhile, faces questions about Auburn’s future identity along with some grumbling about his job status.
After a promising start in 2023, the Tigers’ offense has regressed, and boosters are restless. The final stretch of the season — including this road trip to Fayetteville — may determine how much patience remains in Auburn’s building.
Arkansas and Auburn both sit at the bottom of the SEC West standings, but the urgency and emotion of this matchup give it the feel of a rivalry.
For Petrino, it’s about proving he can guide a team through adversity. For Freeze, it’s about avoiding a late-season spiral.
“This game matters because our guys need to feel what a win in this league does,” Petrino said. “You build on it. That’s how you start turning things around.”
Key takeaways
- Bobby Petrino’s interim leadership has reinvigorated Arkansas’ offense, though the Razorbacks still must close games.
- Auburn’s defense remains stout, but the Tigers’ offense continues to flounder in critical moments.
- Both programs face mounting pressure—each needs a moment that redefines the rest of their season.
