When Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin leads his unit against Arkansas on Saturday, it'll be a familiar sense of competition.
He'll be directly competing with Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, someone he often competed against in practice for a season at Texas A&M.
The pair each had the same roles they have now at Texas A&M in 2023, leaving after Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher was fired. When asked about who that familiarity favors, though, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze leaned slightly towards Petrino.
"I don't know if their time together is advantageous for one or the other, maybe more advantageous for Bobby," Freeze said during the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday. "I don't think DJ has changed a lot, but both will have good game plans, and both will have to make adjustments."
The sentiment came from Freeze saying that Petrino's offense changes from school to school more than he believes Durkin's defense has.
"I think Bobby is such a good offensive coach that he probably changes from school to school based upon the talent that he has," Freeze said. "I think they look a little bit different here than they did at A&M."
Durkin isn't the only one within Auburn's team who's familiar with Petrino. Defensive lineman Isaiah Raikes spent four seasons at Texas A&M, including last season where Petrino was the offensive coordinator.
Preparing for Arkansas' dangerous rushing offense, Raikes was more confident in the advantage that his familiarity with Petrino creates.
"It's very beneficial just knowing indicators of when you think they're going to pass and run and tendencies and habits that coordinators have," Raikes told reporters Tuesday.
Arkansas' offense will undoubtedly be the biggest test Auburn's defense has faced so far this season. The Razorbacks rank fifth in the FBS in total offense, averaging 587.3 yards per game. That included a 648-yard performance in their Week 2 loss to Oklahoma State.
It's a balanced offense too, ranking in the top 15 nationally in both passing and rushing yards per game. Part of that balanced attack comes from dual threat quarterback Taylen Green.
Auburn struggled at times to contain mobile New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier, and it's an area that it needs to improve in to slow down Arkansas' offense.
The Tigers and Razorbacks will face off Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m.