Top SEC Games: Week 8 Edition

Oct 15, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive back Johnathan Ford (23) tackles Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Jeff Badet (13) in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Auburn defeated Kentucky 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn VS Arkansas

Location: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR

Game Time: Saturday, October 24 12:00PM ET

TV:  SEC Network

This game has everything it needs to be a classic, minus a number beside each name.  Both programs will enter the day with no margin for error.  If Arkansas wants to go bowling this year, they have to win now.

Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema talks to wide receiver Drew Morgan (80) during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers, on the other hand, stand virtually no chance at reaching Atlanta.  But a quality bowl is still on the line for this squad.

How much will the weather factor into Saturday?  Projections show for heavy rain and, if that’s the case, look for a strong running force to win out.  Is Arkansas’s run game as strong as in previous years?  Auburn will have to work quickly to separate themselves from the Razorbacks and take the crowd out of the game Saturday.

What Arkansas would love is to force the Tigers into mistakes early and make the Tigers play from behind.  The hope there is forcing the Tigers to press the issue and cause turnovers.

One of these teams is walking away with a “W”, while the other deals with a lot of self-doubt the next week.  The mid-morning kickoff most certainly favors the home team.  The Auburn-Arkansas matchup provides a great wake-up call to all SEC fans on a Saturday jam-packed with exciting games.

Next: Third Saturday in October