Nick Saban says he doesn’t peruse statistics very much, but the Alabama coach knows what he’s talking about when he refers to Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen, whose Razorbacks host Alabama at 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.

“He has the best completion percentage of any quarterback in the league and probably one of the highest efficiency ratings as well, although I don’t look at stats that much,” Saban said of Allen this week. “He’s a very effective and efficient player.”

For the record, Allen is No. 15 in the Football Bowl Subdivision in passing efficiency and No. 13 in completion percentage. He is fourth in the Southeastern Conference in passing yards with 1,233 yards.

Johnathan Ford runs the ball for Auburn against Clemson. The Tigers’ running game will get a test this weekend vs. Mississippi State. (Dakota Sumpter/Auburn Athletics)

Auburn plays its first true road game of the season, traveling to Starkville to face Mississippi State at 11 a.m. on ESPN. Coach Gus Malzahn said getting younger players ready for opposing crowd noise – which will certainly include some cowbells – is important.

Beyond the atmosphere of the contest, the Tigers will look to continue to focus on improving their offense, especially as they near the opponent’s goal line.

“They’re very good against the run, one of the best teams in the country stopping the run,” Malzahn said. “Obviously we like to run the football. I think that will be a big factor.”

UNA game canceled

With Hurricane Matthew expected to impact Central Florida beginning this evening, the University of North Alabama’s football game with Florida Tech, scheduled for Saturday in Melbourne, Fla., has been canceled.

Early Wednesday, Florida Tech announced that it would suspend operations and weekend athletic events until Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Discussions between UNA and Florida Tech were not able to work out an alternate solution. Alternate sites and dates were considered, but neither would work, North Alabama said in a press release.

With both Florida Tech and UNA having a full slate of games scheduled for the remainder of the season, there is not an opportunity for this game to be rescheduled.

UNA, 3-1 overall and 3-0 in the Gulf South Conference, will have five regular-season games remaining, beginning with a homecoming contest against Shorter on Oct. 15.

The cancellation of the Florida Tech game will leave North Alabama with just nine regular-season contests. While a minimum 10-game schedule is required to be eligible for NCAA Division II Playoff consideration, North Alabama Athletic Director Mark Linder said UNA will immediately move to file a waiver with the NCAA in regards to post-season eligibilty.

OTHER STATE SCHOOLS

Tuskegee vs. Morehouse: The Golden Tigers climbed to No. 8 in the American Football Coaches Association poll. At 5-0, they face the Maroon Tigers in the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic in Columbus, Ga., at 1 p.m. Central.

South Alabama at Arkansas State: Last week, the Jaguars upset then-No. 19 San Diego State 42-24. They return to Sun Belt Conference action at 6 p.m. with their sights set on extending their two-game win streak.

Coming off an upset win, the South Alabama Jaguars hope to extend the streak this weekend. (Scott Donaldson/Icon Sportswire)

Tennessee Tech at Jacksonville State: The Gamecocks (3-1), No. 3 in the STATS poll and No. 4 in the Coaches Poll, begin Ohio Valley Conference play. That game can be seen on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN App.

Delta State at West Alabama: The Tigers (2-3) will try to reach .500 on homecoming at 4 p.m.

Alcorn State at Alabama A&M: The Bulldogs highlight their homecoming with this game at 2 p.m. The hosts are 1-4 overall and 1-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Alabama State at Prairie View A&M: The Hornets (1-4) are coming off their first victory of the season with this 6 p.m. contest.

Georgia State at Troy: The Trojans (4-1, 2-0 in the Sun Belt Conference) play at 2:30 p.m. in a game that can be seen on ESPN3.

Ferrum at Huntingdon: The Hawks are coming off their first loss of the season, which dropped them out of the Top 20 in Division 3.

Hendrix at Birmingham-Southern: The Panthers (1-4) are set to play their second game at Battle Field at Krulak Stadium.

Central State at Miles: The Golden Bears host their homecoming at Sloan-Alumni Stadium at 1 p.m. They’ve alternated wins and losses so far this season. They’ll likely break that streak as their opponent is winless in its five games.

Samford at Furman: The Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1) travel to Greenville, S.C., for a noon Central kickoff on ESPN3.

HIGH SCHOOLS

7A: Thursday brings a renewal of a Huntsville rivalry as Mae Jemison (previously J.O. Johnson) takes on Lee-Huntsville.

6A: Friday, Chelsea, 5-1 and No. 10 in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association poll, is at No. 4 Opelika (5-1).

5A: No. 2 Beauregard (5-0) travels to No. 9 Central-Clay County (5-1) for a big game in Region 4.

4A: No. 5 Handley (3-2) hosts No. 6 Munford (5-1).

3A: No. 10 Oakman (4-2) makes its way to No. 3 Montevallo (6-0) in Region 4.

2A: No. 4 LaFayette (6-0) at Reeltown (3-3) is a good one.  Don’t let the record fool you.

1A: A region title likely goes to the winner as McKenzie plays at No. 5 Georgiana.

AISA: Fort Dale Academy of Greenville (5-1) travels to Morgan Academy of Selma (5-2). Each is 1-1 in the region. This game has important playoff implications.