Oct 9, 2009 - 3:01 AM
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.(AP) -- Gus Malzahn is back for another shot against his former team.
Malzahn, the offensive coordinator for No. 17 Auburn, will return to Fayetteville for the second time in two seasons when the Tigers play at Arkansas on Saturday. Malzahn was the Razorbacks' offensive coordinator in 2006 before leaving to join the staff at Tulsa.
He and the Golden Hurricane were unbeaten last year before a 30-23 loss at Arkansas.
After moving back to the Southeastern Conference, he is in the same position - undefeated heading into a game at Arkansas. Auburn (5-0, 2-0 SEC) cracked the Top 25 this week and boasts the nation's fifth-ranked offense.
"They have two really good running backs and their fullback is a great receiver," Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. "They run reverses and misdirections. We have to have the ability to be disciplined with our eyes and understand what the blocking schemes are and react to the misdirection."
Malzahn was a successful high school coach in northwest Arkansas before heading down the road to join Houston Nutt's staff with the Razorbacks. While there, he helped install a quirky formation called the wildcat that is now all the rage in the NFL.
At the end of the 2006 season, Malzahn left Arkansas Nutt. After two seasons at Tulsa, Malzahn joined the staff at Auburn under new coach Gene Chizik. So he's back in the Razorbacks' division - and Nutt's too, for that matter, since the former Arkansas coach is at Mississippi.
All this is par for the course in the drama-filled SEC West. Petrino was infamously courted by Auburn in 2003 for a head coaching job that wasn't vacant.
The Razorbacks beat Auburn last year in their first season under Petrino, the fourth straight win by the road team in the series.
The Tigers will try to make it five in a row with their impressive running game. Ben Tate and Onterio McCalebb are second and fifth in the conference in rushing.
They'll face an Arkansas defense that's been vulnerable to the big play, but showed signs of life in last weekend's 47-19 victory over Texas A&M.
"They give you a lot of looks, a lot of blitz looks," Malzahn said. "They have some good speed. Their defensive front is very talented."
Auburn is second in the SEC in scoring, with Arkansas (2-2, 0-2) not far behind in fourth place. Razorbacks quarterback Ryan Mallett leads the league at 287 yards passing per game. The Michigan transfer has thrown 11 touchdown passes and two interceptions.
"He's got a good arm and we can't just leave our DBs out to dry," Auburn defensive lineman Michael Goggans said. "So pass rush is going to be a big key."
Last year, it was actually the running game that hurt the Tigers in Arkansas' 25-22 win. Michael Smith rushed for 176 yards on 35 carries, including a 63-yard touchdown that was one of several lowlights in Auburn's season. The Razorbacks still have Smith, although he's been quiet this season now that he has more help on offense.
Earlier this year, Arkansas lost to Georgia 52-41, wasting an opportunity at home against a ranked opponent that appeared vulnerable. Now, the Razorbacks will play in Fayetteville for the first time since that game and they'll have another chance to knock off a Top 25 team.
"They are coming in 5-0 and are ranked nationally," Arkansas defensive lineman Jake Bequette said. "They have a lot of confidence coming in and we are going to have to have a great game plan to stop them."
