Grading Auburn football's comeback win against Arkansas: Report card

Auburn's first eight games showcased glimpses of their peak performance, notably their upset of top-ranked Georgia. However, Game 9 revealed their true weaknesses, resulting in a 26-23 victory over Arkansas even though the Razorbacks entered the match with just one conference win. The comeback was captivating, but the start was disastrous. Here's a breakdown of Auburn's performance against Arkansas, serving as their report card.

Auburn's offense received a C grade. Quarterback Byrum Brown exhibited remarkable abilities, but the offense struggled to gain momentum early, just as it had against their previous opponents. This lack of early-game success left Auburn's offense with a neutral standing on the report card.

Defensively, the Auburn team earned a D grade under coach DJ Durkin. Despite making late-game stops in various areas, they failed to contain one of the SEC's weakest offenses. Had it not been for their defensive efforts, the outcome would have been far more unfavorable for Auburn.

Special teams received a C- grade, marking the second consecutive week Auburn missed a PAT and saw a kickoff go out of bounds. These miscues are unacceptable and have contributed to the team's struggles.

Coaching received a D- grade. While Auburn's offense displayed a completely different style of play after halftime, the staff continues to grapple with unresolved issues nine games into the season. Despite securing the win against Arkansas, a shadow remains over the result, highlighting the persistent challenges facing the Auburn football program.