Tye has beefs with social security and parking. Livvy Dunne SHUNNED from Babe Ruth’s apartment, talking Razorback pass-catchers and more!
Guests: Richard Davenport!
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 7-9-25
Simulated Reality: EA Sports Predicts Rocky 2025 Season for Arkansas Razorbacks
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas fans are hoping these video games are seriously wrong. Since these electronic games work off algorithms bad publicity can’t even be blamed.
They are apparently struggling in simulations, too.
On July 10, EA Sports will launch its long-awaited “College Football 26,” and Razorback got a taste of what to expect after the HawgSports crew ran series of simulations. They used the game’s dynasty mode to play out a full 2025 season for Arkansas — not once, but 10 times.
What the algorithm delivered wasn’t the best with an average outcome is a sub-.500 season. Hanging around .500 is exactly where the oddsmakers have the Hogs going into a year with more questions than answers.
Arkansas, coming off a year that saw flashes of promise but not nearly enough production, faces a schedule that could break even the most optimistic hearts. The season starts at home against Alabama A&M, but then three games away from Razorback Stadium.
That includes a first-ever matchup with Arkansas State at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The Hogs then dive straight into SEC play at Ole Miss, before a non-conference tilt at Memphis and a historic home clash with Notre Dame.
The simulation was not kind. In 10 tries, Arkansas averaged just under six wins, with only about three coming in SEC play.
Four runs ended with bowl eligibility, but the majority suggested another year on the outside looking in. The game’s code saw Notre Dame as an insurmountable obstacle, with the Razorbacks losing all 10 simulated meetings.
Texas and Texas A&M also dominated, picking up nine wins apiece against the Razorbacks. Auburn, perhaps surprisingly, joined the list of perennial headaches, beating the Hogs in all but two runs.
There were bright spots, though. In every simulation, Arkansas dispatched the FCS opponent.
In the SEC, Missouri proved manageable with the Razorbacks winning eight out of 10 games. Memphis only managed a single simulated victory. Arkansas State took two wins in the digital world.
National media watching with a measure of caution. Athlon Sports and other outlets see Arkansas as a possible bowl team but project the Razorbacks to finish in the lower half of the SEC West.
“There’s talent, but the schedule is brutal and the questions about stability are real,” said Andy Hodges on Sports Illustrated.
In this case, the world of electronic make-believe is strangely similar to what fans and media generally are thinking.
Pittman enters with maybe more at stake than ever. After a rollercoaster few seasons, his seat has gone from warm to scorching. He probably knows it better than anybody because he’s the one sitting on it, whether he’ll admit it publicly or not.
There are some that believe the university’s patience may be running thin, especially if the team fails to reach a bowl. That’s a scenario EA’s simulation sees as more likely than not.
The Razorbacks’ 2024 bowl win in Memphis offered hope, but then again so did the Liberty Bowl win over Kansas after the 2022 season. It wasn’t great in 2023.
The video game’s accuracy is uncanny. Last year’s EA Sports simulation for Arkansas came within a game of the actual result. Fans and analysts alike have begun to treat these preseason projections with more seriousness.
Some see them as not just as entertainment, but legitimate tea leaves for the months ahead. That’s because there’s moe data to analyze.
The Razorbacks will open the season August 30 against Alabama A&M at Razorback Stadium and it will probably be a blistering 3:30 start. The game will be televised on SEC Network.
Wagner primed for breakout season with Razorbacks under Calipari
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Some experts are predicting Arkansas guard DJ Wagner to have a big year.
That’s just like Razorback fans with expectations high for new goals in John Calipari’s second season.
CBS Sports’ Isaac Trotter has listed him among the players to watch as a two-year breakout candidate as we spend summers ranking everything in every sport it seems.
Wagner played in every game for the Razorbacks last season, starting all of them and racking up a lot of minutes. Even when some of his teammates were hurt, Wagner was on the court and scoring an average of 11.2 points per game. He also had 2.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1 steal each game.
Wagner is known for playing strong defense. His offense still needs some work and has likely been a focus in the offseason. Last season, he shot 40% from the field and made just over 30 percent of his three-point shots. During tough stretches, his play was steady, but experts say he needs to improve if Arkansas wants to win more.
One thing Wagner is working on is making better decisions with the ball. Last season, more than 20 percent of his pick-and-roll plays ended in a turnover. He sometimes lost the ball to the other team. Experts say cutting down on turnovers is important if he wants to help his team more.
Wagner is also working on being more aggressive when driving to the basket. Even though he is strong and quick, he did not get fouled much last season. In 23 games, he drew one or no fouls while shooting. Coaches want him to slow down, use his strength, and try to get to the free-throw line more often.
When his teammates Boogie Fland and Adou Thiero were injured, Wagner stepped up. During those games, he scored an average of 14 points and had nearly 4 assists. Arkansas won three out of their last four regular season games and made it to the second round of the SEC Tournament.
Wagner first played college basketball at Kentucky. As a freshman, he scored 9.9 points a game. When Calipari moved to Arkansas, Wagner transferred too. Now, he is hoping to grow as a player and leader for the Razorbacks.
Arkansas has some new talented players joining the team this year. Two five-star guards, Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas, will play with Wagner. Another talented guard, Isaiah Sealy, is also joining. Wagner’s experience will be important as the team works together.
Experts say Wagner needs to become a better shooter and make smarter choices during games. If he can do that, he could score even more points and help Arkansas win. He could also help his younger teammates learn and get better.
Calipari and the Razorbacks are counting on Wagner to have a big season. They believe he can help the team reach its goals. If he keeps working hard and improves his game, Wagner could become one of the best players on the team.
Now, Wagner is focused on getting better every day. He wants to help Arkansas have a great season. Many fans and coaches are excited to see what he can do this year.
Alyssa Orange on questions for Razorbacks at SEC Media Days next week
While quarterback spot stable for Hogs, rest of offense looking for multiple answers before big media week in Atlanta.
Ruscin & Zach July 8
We visit with Appalachian State head football coach Dowell Loggains, hear about Zach’s complaints about Ruscin and Bill plus recruiting talk!
Ball, Green, Sorey to join Pittman at SEC Media Days in Atlanta
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will be represented by defensive lineman Cam Ball, quarterback Taylen Green and linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. alongside coach Sam Pittman at SEC Media Days next week in Atlanta.
Ball goes to the event as one of Arkansas’ most experienced players, having played in 39 games with 20 starts during his collegiate career.
In 2024, Ball started all 13 games as a redshirt junior, recording a career-high 47 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also contributed two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.
Ball made five tackles and registered a quarterback hurry in Arkansas’ Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech on Dec. 27, and posted a career-high seven tackles, including one for loss, in the regular-season finale at Missouri on Nov. 30.
He also played a significant role in the team’s 58-25 win at Mississippi State on Oct. 26, recovering a fumble and tallying three tackles with an assisted sack.
Quarterback Taylen Green will look to build on an impressive 2024 season.
Green accumulated 3,756 yards of total offense (602 rushing and 3,154 passing) with 23 total touchdowns, the second-most in a single season in Arkansas program history, trailing only Ryan Mallett’s 3,795-yard mark.
Green’s season included just the seventh 3,000-yard passing season in school history.
He ranked 13th nationally in total offense per game with 288.9 yards, 14th in passing yards per completion at 13.71, and 21st in total passing yards.
Green was named Liberty Bowl MVP after completing 11 of 21 passes for a bowl-record 341 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown in the 39-26 win over Texas Tech.
He became the first Arkansas quarterback to surpass 300 passing yards in a bowl game since 2016 and threw for more than 300 yards in three games during the 2024 season, highlighted by a career-high 416 yards at Oklahoma State on Sept. 7.
Sorey Jr. distinguished himself as one of the SEC’s top linebackers in 2024. In his first season as a Razorback, Sorey started all 13 games and led the team with 99 total tackles, including 40 solo stops and 59 assists.
He tied for the team lead with 9.5 tackles for loss and added two sacks, an interception, a pass breakup, and three quarterback hurries. Sorey ranked sixth in the SEC in tackles per game at 7.6 and led Arkansas in tackles in five of its 13 games.
For Pittman, this marks his fifth appearance at SEC Media Days. He enters his sixth season as Arkansas’ coach and is coming off his third straight bowl victory, making him the only coach in program history to win each of his first three bowl games.
Pittman’s tenure ties Ken Hatfield for length, as only five coaches have served longer in the program’s 131-year history.
Arkansas opens the 2025 season on Saturday, Aug. 30, hosting Alabama A&M at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:15 p.m. on SEC Network.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 7-8-25
How can Arkansas Football overcome low expectations and support from the fanbase? Chuck E. Cheese memories, Ranking SEC QB’s.
Guests: Bruce Stanton (Pradco)
Razorbacks add Southern for November, bolstering non-conference schedule
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will host Southern University on Nov. 3 at Bud Walton Arena, adding another mid-major opponent to the Razorbacks’ 2025-26 schedule under coach John Calipari.
The matchup, first reported by Rocco Miller of Bracketeer.org confirmed by multiple reports, will mark the fourth meeting between Arkansas and Southern, with the Razorbacks having won all previous contests, most recently in 2020-21 when Arkansas had a 79-44 victory.
Southern, coached by Kevin Johnson, is coming off a strong campaign in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, finishing 18-13 and posting a notable 10-game win streak last season.
The Jaguars have won nine SWAC regular-season or tournament titles since 1977, and their .522 all-time win percentage reflects a solid tradition (Sports-Reference).
Calipari, who arrived in Fayetteville after a high-profile split from Kentucky in 2024, has wasted little time assembling a challenging non-conference schedule.
Arkansas will also face Central Arkansas on Nov. 11, then travel to Chicago for a Thanksgiving matchup against Duke in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic.
The Razorbacks’ scheduled features additional non-league tests, including Louisville on Dec. 3 in the SEC/ACC Challenge, Texas Tech on Dec. 13 in Dallas, and a marquee matchup at Michigan State in East Lansing.
Arkansas’ non-conference schedule is part of a broader shift under Calipari, who has stressed the importance of national exposure and high-profile games.
The program’s 2025 recruiting class is expected to include several highly ranked prospects, such as Darius Acuff Jr., as Calipari blends returning veterans with blue-chip newcomers.
Southern’s trip to Fayetteville offers the Jaguars a chance to test themselves against a Southeastern Conference opponent before heading into SWAC play.
“We respect what Arkansas has built, but we’re not coming just to show up,” Johnson said. “Games like this are why our guys put in the work all summer” (GoJagSports).
The Razorbacks’ Southeastern Conference schedule will see home-and-home matchups with Auburn, LSU and Missouri, along with single games against Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas.
Calipari’s arrival has generated significant buzz in Fayetteville.
“Everyone put us in a coffin,” Calipari said in the postseason last year. “They just forgot the nails.”
Arkansas will hold its first open practice and press conference of the Calipari era this week.
Calipari remains focused on preparing his team for the postseason.
“If you want to make noise in March, you can’t be afraid to play anybody in November,” he said. “Our kids want to be tested. Our fans deserve it. And our program needs it to reach the next level.”
Pig Trail Nation’s Mike Irwin on college finances everywhere getting tight
After Texas Tech does massive revenue-sharing deal for offensive lineman, looking at problem for Razorbacks, everybody else.
Ruscin & Zach July 7
We recap the holiday weekend, wonder if Bill really does have a kayak (he claims he does) plus a few sporting items mixed in. We also honor several obscure collegiate national champions, an annual RZ tradition.
