Auburn’s bye week couldn’t have come at a more needed time.

A 3-game losing streak left the Tigers at 3-4 on the season, and a timeout was definitely desired.

A time for reevaluation and a focus on what has gone right and what has gone wrong this season.

A time for players to improve on fundamentals and catch their breath before heading into the homestretch of the season.

The Tigers are sitting at the bottom of the SEC West standings at 1-3, tied with Texas A&M and Arkansas, which is Auburn’s next opponent on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Razorbacks also had a bye week after breaking their 3-game losing streak by traveling out to Provo, Utah, to run past BYU, 52-35.

At first glance, it would appear that the game on Saturday boils down to whether or not Auburn can stop the Hogs’ rushing attack. Arkansas is averaging 240 rushing yards per game this season. Among SEC teams, only Ole Miss averages more at 252.

That appears to be Auburn’s biggest challenge on Saturday, especially when you consider that the Tigers have allowed more rushing yards than any other team in the conference. It may be why the visiting Razorbacks are a 3.5-point favorite despite their 4-3 record, which includes a 1-2 record away from Razorback Stadium.

Auburn is giving up rushing yardage at a rate of 204 per game. It’s a recipe for disaster if that trend continues on Saturday. Slowing down “Rocket” Sanders will be the key. The Arkansas running backs lead the SEC, averaging 124 yards per game so far.

Containing Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson won’t be an easy task, either. He can run (344 rushing yards, 4 TDs) and throw the ball effectively (1,463 passing yards). But taking care of it is what makes Jefferson so dangerous. This season, the Hogs junior QB has thrown for 14 TDs with just 1 interception. Among SEC quarterbacks, only Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker (18 TDs, 1 INT) has a better TD-to-INT ratio.

On the other hand, this could be the opportunity that Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford has been waiting for. Arkansas is 12th in the SEC in pass defense. The Razorbacks have yielded an average of 316 passing yards per game in 2022. Only once has Ashford thrown for more than 165 yards in any game. He threw for 337 against LSU. But if Ashford can get into a groove on Saturday against Arkansas’ porous pass defense and Tank Bigsby adds in some chunk runs to keep the Hogs’ defense off balance, it could be Ashford’s coming-out party on Saturday.

Arkansas is notorious for not tackling well, and Bigsby could have a big day of his own. He’s difficult enough to bring to the ground against the strongest of defenders. So, watch for him to have perhaps one of his better games of the season as well.

It shapes up to be a high-scoring shootout, which is probably why the over/under is sitting at 60.5. Both teams are capable of scoring 30-plus, although Auburn has accomplished that feat just twice so far this season, which includes its most recent outing, putting up 34 points in a loss at Ole Miss.

Arkansas scored 30-plus points in its first 3 games, all victories, before going under that mark in the next 3 games, all losses. The Razorbacks found their offense in the most recent game, a 52-35 victory at BYU.

So, for Auburn to snap its skid, the Tigers will need to outscore their visitors on Saturday. But either way, it should be a highly entertaining game with a lot of fireworks provided from both sides.