Arkansas Razorbacks at Auburn Tigers
Saturday, 10/16/10, 3:30 PM EDT, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Auburn -2.5
Current Betting Line: Auburn -3.5
Opening Total: 56.5
Current Total: 60.5
Current Moneyline: Auburn -170 / Arkansas +150
Arkansas tallied a 24-17 victory over Texas A&M last week at Cowboy Stadium despite scoring three second-half points for the second straight week. The Razorbacks now head out for their second conference road trip and the game will feature two of the top offenses in the SEC. Arkansas leads the league and ranks third nationally in passing offense (354.0) and is second in the SEC and 19th-nationally in total offense by averaging 462.8 yards per game. The team has won eight of its last 10 games dating back to last season and possesses a 169-58-3 all-time mark when ranked in the top 15. “Obviously, it’s a big game for us,” head coach Bobby Petrino stated. “It’s another game we want to be in and we’ve got to go down there and come away with a victory.” The team is 2-0 ATS in conference this season and 11-7 ATS over the last three years.
The Razorbacks are led by quarterback Ryan Mallett, who completed 27 of 38 passes for 310 yards and three first-half touchdowns against the Aggies, but was also picked off for the sixth time. “A couple of them are just bad throws,” Mallett stated. “Last year, I was fortunate enough to not throw very many.” He leads the SEC and ranks second nationally with 349.6 passing yards per game and has led the team to a touchdown on the opening drive in three straight games. Through five games, Arkansas is ranked second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 15 points per game and third in the league in giving up just 302.4 yards per game. The total is 14-13 Over/Under in the team’s last 27 games and 10-8 Over/Under in conference.
Auburn enters this Saturday’s monumental clash with a 6-0 record for the first time since the 2004 season after a last-second 37-34 win at Kentucky. “I feel like we’re still in search for a really good, all-around fourth-quarter game. I don’t think that we’ve had that yet,” second-year head coach Gene Chizik said. “We’ve just got to continue to work every week and try to get better at some of the little things.” The Tigers have won four games by single digits this season, including three games by just three points. The team won its 60th consecutive games last Saturday when scoring 30 or more points, but that mark will be hard to reach against their opponent on Saturday. Auburn is 0-2 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points this season and 1-6 ATS in this situation over the last three campaigns.
The Tigers have a potent offense that is ranked eighth nationally in rushing offense, 10th in total offense and 18th in scoring by averaging 36.7 points per game. Heisman Trophy candidate Cam Newton has been doing it all under center, leading the conference in rushing with 112.0 yards per game and is fourth in college football with a 180.7 quarterback rating. Auburn has rushed for at least 300 yards three times this season after having just four 300-yard rushing games in the previous six years. On the other side of the ball, the Tigers’ defense is ranked 14th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 95.7 yards per game. The unit is also especially stingy in the final frame, surrendering just 13 points in the fourth quarter, including just three points to SEC foes.
Bettors will be interested in playing the Razorbacks due to their 5-0 ATS run in conference games, while the Tigers come in with a dominating 21-8-1 ATS mark after gaining more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game. For the season Maddux Sports’ clients are up over $11,000 follow our college football picks. This Saturday we have 7 more winners including a game of the year pick. Visit the college football predictions page to get signed up today.
