On Saturday, No. 11 Auburn will play Akransas in Fayetteville at 11 a.m.

Auburn is coming off its first loss against Florida while Arkansas is on a three-game losing streak. The game will be critical for both teams, one whos looks to snap a losing streak and the other whos looking to prevent a losing streak.

Prior to the game, we reached out to Thomas Murphy who covers the Razorbacks for The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette to ask him some questions about the Tigers upcoming opponent. Follow Murphy on Twitter at @TomMurphyADG for more coverage on the game.

1. What was the attitude around the program following the loss to Kentucky and how has it shifted as it prepares for Auburn?

Clearly the Razorbacks are in a tough mental state after losing its third one-possession game in a row and its second SEC game in a row in which they had the ball trailing by four points with plenty of time to drive for a go-ahead touchdown. Both of those drives, with senior Ben Hicks at quarterback, were stopped on downs inside the red zone, which has been a trouble spot all year long.

The six Razorbacks who did post-practice interviews on Tuesday spoke about keeping up the fight and keeping a positive attitude in the locker room, which can be easier said than done when a team isnt succeeding in winnable games.

2. Auburn is a run-heavy offense, and its run defense is one of the best in the SEC. Will Arkansas be able to compete in the run game? Will it try to? Or will it rely on its quarterbacks completing passes?

I think the Razorbacks will have to be creative to make things happen on the ground. Running their inside zone against a mighty front with a lead back in Rakeem Boyd whose right shoulder is ailing doesnt add up to sustained success. Arkansas has not blocked well enough on the perimeter to make its jet sweep plays super productive and Auburns speed across its defense will factor into that. Arkansas will need to make some misdirection plays pay off and try to confuse the keys of the Tigers linebackers and defensive backs.

Auburns ability to attack the defensive edges is well known and it has been a soft spot for this Arkansas defense. Clearly the Tigers will try to exploit that.

3. Nick Starkel played the majority of the game against Kentucky but Ben Hicks finished it. Who is more likely to start against Auburn?

My best guess is Ben Hicks. I would not be surprised if the Razorbacks execute some kind of rotation, because theyve been more explosive (and turnover-prone) with Starkel; more alignment sound and safe with Hicks.

4. How has the team been affected by the players who left this week?

Hard to say. The players in Wednesday interviews all wished linebacker DVone McClure and cornerback Devin Bush well. I thought McClure deserved more playing time. Bush, one of the fastest defensive players, had been used sparingly, so the rotation will be impacted only if there are injuries.

5. Where does Arkansas have the most potential to hurt Auburn and what do you think the final score will be?

The Razorbacks had trouble moving the ball on Auburn last year, so theyll need creative ideas and theyll have to get the ball out quickly vs. a ferocious pass rush. Matching tight end C.J. OGrady on linebackers, nickels and safeties should factor in; slants to talented WRs like Trey Knox, Treylon Burks and Mike Woods are likely possibilities, and involving Rakeem Boyd is a must.

Read more:
5 burning questions and a prediction with an Arkansas beat writer - AL.com