There is a positive to facing an SEC team in the opening game of the season. Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson knew very quickly what he had.

He is also found a lot of areas in which to improve.

Arkansas gashed Auburn up the middle in the first half with its power running attack. Not only was the defensive line unable to get any pressure on the quarterback, but there were also problems stopping the run at the second level.

“The second level, that was where the issue was,” Johnson said. “Where we missed it, we were just misaligned at the safety spot. Once we got that cleaned up, that was not the play that was hurting us as much.”

The secondary, while experienced, is breaking in a new tandem at safety in sophomore Rudy Ford and JUCO transfer Derrick Moncrief. Experience will help in correcting some of the issues the two had last week, but for now, can be led by senior Jermaine Whitehead who had a pick-six last week against the Hogs.

Linebacker Cassanova McKinzy was a bright spot for the Tigers recording six tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack. He’ll need help this week from the guy opposite him, Kris Frost. Frost recorded no tackles last week and had just three quarterback hurries.

“Kris didn’t really get a lot of balls at the point of attack, but then he had two missed tackles where he had opportunities, and his coverage was inconsistent,” Johnson said. “I didn’t think he had one of his better games.”

San Jose State is a team that will throw it a little more than Auburn’s opponent last week.

We’ll see what kind of jump the Tigers’ defense can make.