ARKANSAS
What to like: Quarterback Austin Allen provides stability after leading the SEC with 3,430 passing yards last season, while sophomore tailback Devwah Whaley averaged 5.5 yards per carry a year ago and is capable of filling the shoes of Rawleigh Williams III, who gave up the sport this spring after suffering a second neck injury. Senior center Frank Ragnow hasn’t allowed a sack in each of the last two seasons, and the schedule is set up for a potential 5-0 start before the Razorbacks visit Alabama on Oct. 14.
Cause for worry: First and foremost, the end of last season. Coach Bret Bielema had steadily improved the program and was on pace to continue that a year ago, but Arkansas wasted a 24-7 halftime lead at Missouri and a 24-0 halftime lead against Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl. The Razorbacks allowed 143 points in their last four games and lost six members of their defensive front seven from that team. Arkansas has yet to defeat Texas A&M since the Aggies joined the SEC, so Sept. 23 could be a telling gauge.
AUBURN
What to like: The Tigers somehow got to the Sugar Bowl last year with a limited Sean White and an inconsistent Jeremy Johnson as the quarterbacks, but that position should be greatly upgraded with Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham and White, if he can stay healthy. Running backs Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson combined for 2,119 rushing yards last year and overshadowed a solid receiving corps, and there isn’t a better kicker out there than Daniel Carlson. Games against Georgia and Alabama are at home.