The No. 22 Auburn Tigers have prioritized stopping the run throughout the early part of the season. That commitment is paying off.
The Tigers have only allowed 201 yards on the ground through three games, the second-lowest number behind LSU's 168.
Limiting what teams are able to accomplish with the football on the ground will pay dividends for Auburn if it is able to keep up that effort.
"Just all-out effort and discipline and knowing our technique," said defensive lineman Dallas Walker IV. "We want the linebackers to fill the right gaps, and we want the d-line, obviously, to strike blocks and be in the right place at the right time. Just all of us coming together as a team and playing with tremendous effort, that's been a big part of that."
Keeping up the trend of dominant run defense will tricky when the Tigers open SEC play on the road against the No. 11 Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday.
Despite the talent Oklahoma has, Walker knows Auburn has the ability to put itself in a position to succeed with the quality of its preparation.
"They're pretty dynamic," Walker said. "They've got a really good quarterback. Obviously, a good o-line and a good running back. Good receiving corps. We're just coming out here and trying to practice to our standard every day. We just want to compete every day in practice so we can get those good looks with the scout team."
Like many of his teammates, Walker is determined to get the job done on Saturday for quarterback Jackson Arnold in his return to Norman.
"I'm definitely excited to go out there and fight for him. I think we all are. Honestly, I think it's just like any other game. He's preparing, we're preparing. We're just treating it like every other week, going step by step. The next opponent is just the next opponent."
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT and ABC will carry the broadcast.