Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, September 20 at 12:00 p.m. ET
- Network: ABC
- Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium — Memphis, TN
- Spread: Arkansas (-7.5)
- Over/under: 61.5
- All-time series: Memphis leads, 3-2
- Last meeting: Arkansas 23, Memphis 9 — October 10, 1998
- Current streak: Arkansas, 2 (1995-98)
Setting the scene
The Memphis Tigers (3-0, 0-0 American) are back in the limelight on ABC for the first time in five years. Ryan Silverfield’s team is in quite familiar position, sitting at 3-0 for the fourth time in five years. Memphis has defeated 10-straight non-conference opponents including bowl games and defended home turf with nine-straight wins at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
However, they enter as touchdown home underdogs to the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1, 0-1 SEC). Arkansas dropped a close one to a ranked
Ole Miss squad last week and now Sam Pittman’s squad looks for a bounce-back win on the eastern border of the state. It marks the first meeting between the American and SEC programs in 27 years.
Arkansas Razorbacks outlook
The Sam Pittman era has been marked by volatility, as the Razorbacks quickly alternate between productive winning and losing campaigns. Although it suffered a loss at Ole Miss in Week 3, this Arkansas team fields an offense capable of crafting a special season.
Quarterback Taylen Green is throwing his name in the hat of a wide-open Heisman race. He ranks 11th nationally in rushing yards and first among quarterbacks with 307, essentially averaging a first down with 9.6 yards per carry. As a passer, the 6’6” senior is just as lethal, racking up 289 yards per game with 11 touchdowns to two interceptions. Green is an accomplished Mountain West champion quarterback, but he has elevated his game to a new level this year, and the fourth-year starter (two at Boise State, two Arkansas) is just four passing touchdowns away from matching his single-season best.
The Green machine dropped 35 points on Ole Miss, including 21 in the second quarter alone. The Razorback offense has also received strong contributions from tailback Mike Washington Jr. (87 rushing yards per game, 8.4 per carry) and Charlotte transfer receiver O’Mega Blake. Blake, an established deep threat with 266 yards and three touchdowns on the year, demonstrated his explosiveness in this same stadium a year ago — posting 128 yards on three receptions at Memphis.
The other impressive component of this offense involves the o-line’s protection of Green. For a scrambler with a knack for extending plays, he doesn’t go down in the backfield much. The Hogs’ front hasn’t yielded a sack in either matchup vs. FBS competition this year, and that includes a road trip to Ole Miss.
Last week was the first real test for the Arkansas defense which struggled containing Ole Miss’ passing attack. Rebels’ backup quarterback threw for 353 yards and ran for another 62, and the Razorbacks must prepare for another strong-armed dual-threat quarterback this week. Ole Miss converted 8-of-12 third down attempts and getting off the field on critical downs has been a struggle for Arkansas through three games — ranking 109th in third down defense.
Dialing up the pressure will be a priority Saturday, and Quincy Rhodes Jr. must get involved for an optimal performance. The breakout defensive end ranks first on the team with 3.0 sacks, already surpassing his combined outputs from 2023 and 2024. Another defender who will be called upon often this weekend is outside linebacker Xavier Sorey Jr. He will be in charge of limiting the QB run game, hoping to build upon a strong résumé featuring 23 tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception.
Memphis Tigers outlook
Memphis returns home after testing its mettle in Sun Belt environments for back-to-back weeks. The Tigers are a very comfortable 3-0, coasting to 21+ point victories in all three outings this year. Right now, they’re tied for the longest win streak in the FBS at seven games, and that will be challenged. Arkansas is by far the most formidable opponent Ryan Silverfield and Co. will face in non-conference play, but the Tigers have thrived as underdogs lately with three-consecutive wins dating back to the 2023 Liberty Bowl.
While Silverfield remains head coach and both his coordinators return, it’s hard to compare 2025 Memphis to previous iterations of the program. The Tigers returned two starters on offense and one on defense, operating with a transformed transfer-laden roster. One transfer guiding the way is quarterback Brendon Lewis, who arrived as a polished starter from Colorado and Nevada. Memphis always boasts elite quarterback talent, but Lewis is different from his predecessors due to his more mobile tendencies. He has rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns through three starts while keeping things accurate as a passer. Lewis hasn’t thrown for more than 213, but he’s connecting on 73.3 percent of attempts in a more short-throw oriented game.
Amidst all the transfers, one familiar face contributing heavily to Memphis’ offense is running back Sutton Smith. The fourth-year Tiger suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the 2024 opener, but he’s back and producing alongside Lewis. Smith shined with 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns last Saturday at Troy, and he’s been regularly involved as a receiver. Memphis also hopes to return his backfield partner Greg Desrosiers Jr. who remains day-to-day after picking up an injury Aug. 30.
Smith is third on the team in receptions, only trailing wide receivers Cortez Braham Jr. and Jamari Hawkins. This new duo looks to replicate the success of last year’s Roc Taylor-Demeer Blankumsee combo and so far, Braham and Hawkins combine for 329 yards and a touchdown as the most explosive playmakers on this offense.
Memphis’ defense wasn’t challenged to a great extend against any of its three opponents, and Arkansas represents a massive leap in competition. However, Jordon Hankins’ unit has been sturdy thus far, letting up 11 points per game and four touchdowns all year. Troy only managed 112 yards on the Tigers, completing 12-of-32 passes and rushing for 40 yards on 23 attempts.
The revamped unit features 10 transfers in starting spots and All-AAC defensive end William Whitlow Jr. in the 11th. Whitlow will be instrumental in playing contain against the mobile Taylen Green this week, in effort to add to his 15 tackles and three tackles for loss on the season. Outside linebacker Sam Brumfield is another key cog on Memphis’ defense, ranking atop the team in tackles (17) and sacks (3.0). With significant backfield pressure on every play, Memphis ranks fifth in the FBS in tackles for loss and 15th in fewest rushing yards allowed.
Prediction
This matchup likely features a bevy of lead changes with Arkansas and Memphis consistently creating offense with their mobile quarterbacks. It’s worth noting Tigers haven’t been thoroughly defeated since the 2022 opener, and every loss has been a neck-and-neck high-scoring shootout. In fact, Memphis leads the FBS with 43-consecutive 20-point games, and both teams should score a fair amount.
Memphis receives its usual home boost, but Arkansas features Taylen Green. The star quarterback’s versatile playmaking will serve as the difference, accruing impressive numbers through the air and on the ground and delivering a late touchdown to hand Arkansas a road victory.
Prediction: Arkansas 33, Memphis 28
