Hogville’s Mike Irwin surprised at Razorbacks’ lack of offense in loss
With collapse against Memphis, not being able to get any consistent threat from highly-touted attack most surprising thing to Irwin.
Saturday Down South’s Connor O’Gara on fallout for Razorbacks after loss
Time has come for Hogs to pull plug on Sam Pittman time as coach following second-half collapse against Tigers on Saturday.
Razorbacks’ coach Sam Pittman confident going into Notre Dame game
For first time ever, Irish will meet Arkansas anywhere, but how he feels after two shocking losses to even record before SEC gauntlet.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 9-22-25
Tye and Colton filter through a barrage of dissapointed callers, Style and Swagger from the past weekend of football, and more!
Guests: Thomas Cole – Walker Brothers!
Hog Reaction: Arkansas Falls to Memphis 32-31
Hogs are most definitely going to Hog. Arkansas drops a heartbreaker to G5 Memphis in all the usual ways. Colton Little and the legend Matt Jones take calls from fans and try and explain the inexplicable.
Arkansas draws Texas, LSU, Missouri in SEC 2026-29 schedule model
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas’s path in the SEC’s new nine-game format has been set, and it’s a challenging one, according to a report from Chris Low with On3.
The Razorbacks will play Texas, LSU, and Missouri every season from 2026 through 2029 as the league moves to a nine-game slate with three annual opponents per team.
It’s a mix of history and intensity with Texas reigniting the old Southwest Conference rivalry, LSU representing the SEC West powerhouse Arkansas has battled since joining the league and Missouri maintaining the Battle Line Trophy.
This will be debated all across the conference for awhile. The full release will be on SEC Network on Tuesday night at 6 p.m.
Full list of SEC annual opponents (2026-29)
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Alabama: Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State
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Arkansas: Missouri, Texas, LSU
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Auburn: Georgia, Alabama, Vanderbilt
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Florida: Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky
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Georgia: Auburn, Florida, South Carolina
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Kentucky: South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida
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LSU: Arkansas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M
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Mississippi State: Ole Miss, Alabama, Vanderbilt
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Missouri: Arkansas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma
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Oklahoma: Texas, Ole Miss, Missouri
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Ole Miss: Mississippi State, LSU, Oklahoma
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South Carolina: Georgia, Kentucky, Florida
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Tennessee: Alabama, Vanderbilt, Kentucky
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Texas: Texas A&M, Arkansas, Oklahoma
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Texas A&M: Texas, LSU, Missouri
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Vanderbilt: Tennessee, Mississippi State, Auburn
Projected strength of schedule snapshot
Using current ESPN FPI national rankings (Sept. 2025), Kentucky projects as having the toughest baseline trio with South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. Oklahoma and Arkansas/Texas A&M also land in the upper tier. Tennessee and Vanderbilt rank toward the lighter end, though both still face Alabama annually.
Kentucky’s index is highest because its three fixed opponents are all top-15 teams in FPI right now. For Arkansas, Texas (No. 1), LSU (No. 12), and Missouri (No. 23) combine for one of the toughest yearly tests in the league.
Team-by-team cards
Alabama
Annual opponents: Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State
SoS index rank: 13th
Rivalry note: Iron Bowl remains locked in; Tennessee’s rise makes this slate stingier than it looks.
Arkansas
Annual opponents: Missouri, Texas, LSU
SoS index rank: 3rd
Rivalry note: Texas series is revived permanently; LSU keeps Battle for the Golden Boot intact.
Auburn
Annual opponents: Georgia, Alabama, Vanderbilt
SoS index rank: 7th
Rivalry note: Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry and Iron Bowl secured, with Vandy providing some balance.
Florida
Annual opponents: Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky
SoS index rank: 8th
Rivalry note: Cocktail Party remains annual; no Tennessee guarantee for the first time in decades.
Georgia
Annual opponents: Auburn, Florida, South Carolina
SoS index rank: 5th
Rivalry note: Auburn preserved, Florida locked in; Tennessee rotation only.
Kentucky
Annual opponents: South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida
SoS index rank: 1st
Rivalry note: Wildcats hit hardest; annual slate includes three strong programs in current FPI.
LSU
Annual opponents: Arkansas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M
SoS index rank: 6th
Rivalry note: Golden Boot, Magnolia Bowl, and A&M rivalry all preserved.
Mississippi State
Annual opponents: Ole Miss, Alabama, Vanderbilt
SoS index rank: 12th
Rivalry note: Egg Bowl secured; annual Alabama makes this trickier than it looks.
Missouri
Annual opponents: Arkansas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma
SoS index rank: 8th
Rivalry note: Renewed Oklahoma series draws headlines; Battle Line Trophy stays.
Oklahoma
Annual opponents: Texas, Ole Miss, Missouri
SoS index rank: 2nd
Rivalry note: Red River Rivalry remains annual; Ole Miss adds intrigue.
Ole Miss
Annual opponents: Mississippi State, LSU, Oklahoma
SoS index rank: 15th
Rivalry note: Egg Bowl and Magnolia Bowl secured, plus a new annual with Oklahoma.
South Carolina
Annual opponents: Georgia, Kentucky, Florida
SoS index rank: 11th
Rivalry note: Three East rivals locked in; Clemson still scheduled nonconference.
Tennessee
Annual opponents: Alabama, Vanderbilt, Kentucky
SoS index rank: 16th
Rivalry note: Alabama stays annual; Florida and Georgia rotation only, breaking decades of tradition.
Texas
Annual opponents: Texas A&M, Arkansas, Oklahoma
SoS index rank: 8th
Rivalry note: Red River Rivalry, Lone Star Showdown, and old Southwest battles with Arkansas.
Texas A&M
Annual opponents: Texas, LSU, Missouri
SoS index rank: 3rd
Rivalry note: Texas returns, LSU and Missouri provide balance.
Vanderbilt
Annual opponents: Tennessee, Mississippi State, Auburn
SoS index rank: 13th
Rivalry note: Nashville keeps in-state rivalry; Iron Bowl rotation still guaranteed.
Key takeaways
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Arkansas’ trio of Texas, LSU, and Missouri anchors one of the toughest annual opponent groups in the SEC.
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Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Arkansas/Texas A&M project the hardest annual opponent slates by FPI baseline.
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Tennessee loses guaranteed Florida and Georgia matchups, but keeps Alabama and in-state Vanderbilt as annual opponents.
Memphis overcomes Razorbacks 32-31 with late TD to stay unbeaten
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Who would have thought Arkansas would lose another game on a late fumble, then a defense that couldn’t get a first down in the last minute?
That’s exactly what happened to the Razorbacks at Simmons Bank Liberty Bowl Stadium on Saturday as Memphis slipped past the Razorbacks, 32-31.
This isn’t the way anybody wanted to head into a matchup with Notre Dame next week.
Memphis (4-0, 2-0 home) used a late explosive play to take the lead, while the Hogs (2-2, 0-2 away) saw momentum fade after halftime despite a strong first half.
Arkansas came out of the gate with a 21-10 lead after two quarters, with multiple successful drives and effective execution from quarterback Trelon Green and the Razorbacks’ running backs.
Memphis kept in range though, responding with both passing and rushing plays. Before halftime, the Tigers cut into the lead with a touchdown pass and other productive plays that set the stage for a tight second half.
In the third quarter, Memphis chipped away with a field goal and a touchdown run to close the gap. Arkansas managed a field goal of its own but failed to capitalize on some opportunities that might have extended their cushion.
Memphis’ balanced attack — mixing runs and play-action passes — along with some key defensive stops, shifted momentum. Arkansas’ offense, meanwhile, stalled at times. Penalties and third-down inefficiencies began to hurt.
Decisive moments & final drive
With less than five minutes remaining, Arkansas still held a slim lead after seeing a 28-10 advantage slowly disappear.
Memphis mounted a drive culminating in a long touchdown run, taking the lead 32-31. Arkansas had one last chance but couldn’t convert, coming up just short.
Running back Mike Washington had the ball punched out and the Tigers recovered inside the 10-yard line then a redshirt freshman quarterback ran for a first down on a third-and-8 play with the Hogs out of timeouts to seal the game.
Turnovers were few but costly. Arkansas had one turnover to Memphis’ two, which may have made the difference in such a tight finish. And the Hogs’ fumble was the most costly.
Reactions & implications
Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield wanted to talk about his team’s resilience.
“We knew it was going to be a fight,” he said. “Credit to our guys for stepping up when it mattered most.”
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman expressed disappointment.
“We had chances,” he said. “We just couldn’t sustain the momentum.”
The loss complicates Arkansas’ season, especially its non-conference resume, while Memphis continues its strong start and looks ahead to opening American Athletic Conference play.
Key takeaways
- Clutch performance by Memphis: Late in tight games, Memphis delivered — the final touchdown run changed the outcome.
- Arkansas struggles in second half execution: After a strong first half, Arkansas failed to maintain drive success and adjust.
- Balanced attack matters: Memphis mixed rushing and passing, and managed the clock well in critical moments.
Statistical notes
- Total yards were nearly even: Arkansas posted 500 yards; Memphis 489.
- First downs were also close: Memphis had slightly more than Arkansas.
- Penalties and third-down conversion differences tilted slightly in favor of Memphis.
What’s next
Memphis will begin its conference schedule in the AAC against Florida Atlantic. Success there could bolster their credentials nationally.
Arkansas returns home to host Notre Dame next week, needing to bounce back and regain momentum.
ANDY’S PICKS: Fans probably shouldn’t count on blowout for Razorbacks in Memphis
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. — Apparently Pete hasn’t spent a whole lot of time looking at just how good Memphis is or doesn’t want to believe his lyin’ eyes.
Since he’s pulling out musical references this week, I figured to throw another one in there.
The Tigers are better than whatever Arkansas State brought to War Memorial Stadium a couple of weeks ago. Considerably better.
Now the Razorbacks just have to figure out their defense after Ole Miss sliced them up like a brisket just pulled off a smoker. Forget the comeback by the offense late because the most concerning part going forward is that defense.
If more injuries have made things even worse (and it’s doubtful it improved them), this game could end up in another shootout. Come to think of it, that’s not the best phrase to use in that area of Memphis, but I said it so there it is.
Hogs coach Sam Pittman talked about coaching them better this week. Sounds good, but probably doesn’t work as well as some folks would hope.
By the time you start playing games, you can draw up plays and schemes all you want, but at the end of the day defense comes down to finding out who’s got the ball and putting him on the ground as quickly as possible.
Former Arkansas defensive coordinator Jimmy Johnson told me that when he was head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. It still holds true.
This team has good players, but it has the same feeling to a certain point that it did in 2023 when BYU came rolling into Fayetteville and shut down the Hogs in an upset.
That started the wagon rolling to a 4-8 season.
Don’t expect this game to be a blowout at the Liberty Bowl one way or the other. It might turn out that way, but the guess is you’ll be hanging in there until the fourth quarter at least.
Oh, and don’t play the drinking game every time somebody scores a touchdown. You could be passed out by halftime. It’s tempting to pick an upset here, but too early to start wandering out on those limb. Hogs by 2
UAB at (15) Tennessee – Good Grief 1. Tennessee might have a letdown after a wild game against Georgia last week but it showed nobody may be that interested in playing defense anymore. With the exception of Ohio State and Texas. The Blazers may want to play defense, but the Vols have the better players and more of them. Volunteers by 21.
Tulane at (13) Ole Miss – The Rebels may have a quarterback better than the one Lane Kiffin thought was better in the first game. Trinidad Chambliss doesn’t seem to turn the ball over as much and the Rebels are getting confidence, which they are going to need considering their remaining conference games. It probably won’t be pretty, though. Ole Miss by 14.
(22) Auburn at (11) Oklahoma – It may be accurate to say most folks probably under-rated both of these teams in the summer. That’s exactly why I don’t make predictions. With the Tigers picking up the Sooners’ castoff quarterback and giving him some confidence, folks are finding out they have some pretty deep talent. Same thing at OU, who picked up a transfer and have suddenly found that “Sooner Magic” once again … or so they think. Sooners by 6.
North Illinois at Mississippi State – Good Grief 2. The Bulldogs’ faithful are jumping up and down happy because Dawgs coach Jeff Lebby has one more win that he had all last year. He also has a team that looks faster and better than last year, too and that probably means more. State by 18.
South Carolina at (23) Missouri – The Gamecocks are over-rated and Virginia Tech has already jettisoned their coach and Shane Beamer is the top name on their list. South Carolina folks may not discourage him much. Meanwhile, Eli Drinkwitz has quietly put together a very good team that can run the ball (Hog fans should note that for the end of the season). Mizzou by 6.
Georgia State at (20) Vanderbilt – Good Grief 3. It’s still hard to get used to doing a good grief thing on a Commodores game where they aren’t the reason it falls into that category. Don’t be surprised to see that very thing, though. ‘Dores by 22.
SLU at (3) LSU – Good Grief 4. It’s one of those directional schools in Louisiana they have for every possible one. The score on this one will be whatever Brian Kelly wants to hang up, but hopefully he won’t have to apologize who asked him a question this week that sets him off on a tirade. That was as humorous as it was confusing. It didn’t appear that bad. Tigers by 45
Sam Houston at (8) Texas – Good Grief 5. If Arch Manning just needed some experience, he’s getting plenty of that. He’ll probably end up being fine but folks were expecting him to talk on water that’s not covering the stadium. The progression will be slow, but it will probably be there. Manning may not be the only issue with this team. Texas by 25.
