Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Auburn Tigers Predictions, Picks, Odds, and NCAA Football Week Eight Betting Preview – October 22, 2016

Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Auburn Tigers Preview

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium – Auburn, Alabama

When: Saturday, October 22, 6:00 PM ET

Line: Arkansas Razorbacks (+9.5) at Auburn Tigers (-9.5); total 55.5 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

Writer’s Pick: Auburn Tigers (-9.5)

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Betting on the Arkansas Razorbacks (+9.5)

No. 17 Arkansas (5-2, 1-2 SEC) finally showed signs of life in conference play after a big 34-30 home win over Ole Miss. Austin Allen (19-of-32, 224 yards) didn’t have the most efficient day throwing the ball, but he still threw for three touchdowns for the third game running.

Allen has arguably been the best quarterback in the SEC this season. He currently leads the conference in touchdown passes (18) and quarterback rating (156.03), and is third in yards per attempt (8.5) and completion percentage (63 percent).

The bigger development, though, was the return of the Hogs’ running game. After gaining just 193 yards on the ground in the games against Texas A&M and Alabama, the Razorbacks ran for 200 yards against the Rebel defense. Rawleigh Williams accounted for 180 yards on just 27 carries.

Allen could have another tough night throwing against a very good Auburn pass defense, but the Hogs have a good chance to get another strong game on the ground against a Tigers run defense which remains relatively weak. They’re 7th in the 14-team conference in terms of yards per carry.

The running game was instrumental in Arkansas’ 54-46 4OT win over Auburn last season. The Razorbacks rushed for 213 yards with four TDs.

Betting on the Auburn Tigers (-9.5)

The No. 21 Auburn Tigers (4-2, 2-1 SEC) are on the rise. They’ve won three in a row since their 1-2 start (with losses to very good Clemson and Texas A&M teams), and are coming off a huge 38-14 demolition of Mississippi State on the road. They easily covered as three-point road favorites, and are now 5-1 ATS this season.

The Tigers offense has come to life during that stretch, in large part due to head coach Gus Malzahn ceding play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee.

Quarterback Sean White has been incredibly efficient, completing at least 73 percent of his passes in those three games. Meanwhile, the rushing attack led by sophomore Kamryn Pettway just hung 228 yards and three touchdowns on a Bulldog run defense which is top five in the conference. They did that without top rusher Kerryon Johnson (538 yards, 6 TDs), who injured his ankle and is still a doubt against Arkansas.

That Auburn run game is in a great position to continue its resurgence as it faces an Arkansas front which has been unable to stop the run this season. They’re allowing 5.57 yards per carry and have given up 17 rushing touchdowns, both dead last in the SEC.

Meanwhile, Auburn’s defense could be the best unit on the field for either team. The Tigers are fourth in the SEC in scoring defense (16.0 points allowed per game) and fifth in total defense. It gave both Deshaun Watson and Trevor Knight problems throwing the ball, and will once again have the help of a raucous Jordan-Hare crowd to rattle Austin Allen.

Writer’s Prediction

Auburn (-9.5) scores a big home win over Arkansas, 35-21.

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