For the first time since 2008, the Arkansas Razorbacks will travel to Austin to face off against the No. 17 Texas Longhorns. The renewal of a Southwest Conference rivalry features one program in despair
and another coming off their worst loss since 2021.
Arkansas enters the matchup with one of the worst records in the Power Four, having lost eight straight games. The Hogs fired head coach Sam Pittman five games into his sixth season and promoted offensive coordinator and former head coach Bobby Petrino to interim head coach. He promptly fired three defensive coaches, including both co-defensive coordinators.
While the record is lopsided for the Hogs, a closer examination of past results indicate that this Arkansas team can compete against high quality opponents. Six of Arkansas’ eight losses were one possession or less ,including five (!) losses by three points or less. The Hogs have pushed top-10 ranked Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Texas A&M to the brink. While the records of Texas and Arkansas are vastly different right now, a few key plays during the Razorbacks season could have completely change the course of the season.
“We play against a very, very dangerous Arkansas team. The record is not indicative of how well these guys have been playing. They’ve played four road games. They’ve lost by a combined 11 points on the road,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said on Monday.
The Hogs feature a strong passing offense led by quarterback Taylen Green and a ground attack that is second in the SEC in yareds per game. On the other side of the ball, to put it politely, the defense has been subpar — the unit is last in the SEC in scoring defense, total defense, and opponent third-down conversion rate. Arkansas’ offense will run up the score, but the defense will give up large amounts of points. Losing by slim margins has become the norm this season.
The Razorbacks currently sit as double-digit underdogs, according to FanDuel, despite facing a Texas team that is looking for answers after the head-scratching beatdown in Athens. If the Longhorns aren’t hungry for a bounce-back win, this matchup could turn south, especially sandwiched in between a tough loss and the looming matchup against A&M.
Offense
The Arkansas offense has been one of the best in the SEC, with a balanced attack through the air and on the ground. Previously mentioned veteran quarterback Taylen Green is a dynamic dual threat ranking fourth in the SEC in passing yards per game and eighth in rushing yards per game. He’s complemented by one of the best running backs in the conference — senior Mike Washington, who is nearing 1,000 rushing yards on the season, ranking third in the conference in yards per game, while averaging 6.5 yards per carry. The Longhorns defense will have their hands full on Saturday.
The entire offense runs through Green. Dangerous with both his arm and his legs, he’s flown under the radar this season largely because of Arkansas’s record. Still, he’s piled up production, completing 182-of-293 passes for 2,537 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, along with 717 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Green’s athleticism challenges the structure of opposing defenses. Designed runs, zone reads, and improvisation can easily become back-breaking plays when he tucks the ball. He’s capable of turning broken plays into explosives with lengthy strides and quickness. As a passer, Green has shown an ability to stand in the pocket and progress through his reads. He has the arm talent to drive the ball down the field in the pocket or on the run.
While lethal, Green is loose with the ball. His 10 interceptions are tied for the SEC lead and often come at crucial junctions. His three fourth-quarter interceptions against Auburn all but sealed the Tigers’ win, while his two-interception performances against Memphis and LSU proved costly in games that ultimately both ended as one-point losses for Arkansas.
The Longhorns defense will need to maintain gap integrity and tackle well to limit him on the ground. Mixing up looks in the secondary to confuse Green has worked in the past and will be the best method to keep him out of a rhythm.
Regardless of how Green is performing, the Razorbacks will feature a heavy dose of Washington. In his first year at a Power Four school, the fifth-year senior took over the starting job in the offseason and has made a name for himself, racking up 913 rushing yards.
Washington possesses a combination of speed and size. Listed at 6’2, 223 pounds, Washington is strong enough to run in between the tackles and fast enough to get to the second and third levels. He’s been highly effective on outside zone. Washington is also a threat to catch the ball — with 17 catches, he has the fourth-most receptions on the team and averages 9.2 yards per catch.
When Washington gets a spell, sophomore Braylen Russell will see carries. The 6’1, 238-pounder is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and has scored three touchdowns on the year.
The biggest threat in the passing game is senior O’Mega Blake. After starting his career at South Carolina and spending last season at Charlotte, Blake is having a career year as a Razorback. He’s hauled in 51 passes for 678 yards and four touchdowns. Blake is a smooth route runner with great speed. He’ll primarily line up on the outside for Arkansas.
The next two threats are slot receiver CJ Brown and versatile athlete Raylen Sharpe. Brown has elite speed, reaching 22.4 mph during an offseason workout and is a possession receiver. Sharpe is smaller in statute, listed at 5’9, 165 pounds, but is a big-play threat. He’s caught a pass of 20 yards or longer in seven games this year.
The entire Razorback receiving corps is excellent in scramble drills. They work back to the ball and make it tricky on opposing defenders when Green escapes the pocket.
Tight end Rohan Jones is another contributor in the passing game. The senior isn’t targeted frequently ,but has made the most of his opportunities. He’s averaging 31.4 yards per catch on 13 receptions while adding four touchdowns. Jones is a true threat after the catch, leading FBS tight ends with 14.2 YAC per reception.
The Arkansas offensive line has been strong this season, even while some guys have missed time. Giving up 24 sacks is a large amount, but a significant portion can be attributed to the decision making of Green. Right now, the unit is healthy, with all five starters expected to play against Texas. The group is anchored by veterans with four starters in their fourth year or later of college football: redshirt senior Corey Robinson II, redshirt senior Fernando Carmona, senior Caden Kitler, and redshirt junior E’Marion Harris. The group is big and savvy.
All in all, Arkansas boasts a multi-dimensional offense. With a strong ground game and an effective passing attack, the Razorbacks can hurt defenses in multiple ways. If containing that two-pronged attack wasn’t enough, Green adds the ability to wreak havoc with his legs. The Hog offense is dangerous on its own — Texas cannot afford to miss assignments or blow coverages.
Defense
The Arkansas defense is porous. In conference play, the unit has surrendered nearly 200 rushing yards and over 250 yards through the air per game. The group has recorded just 10 sacks and two interceptions during that time. This unit is bad.
A bright spot rushing the passer is junior Quincy Rhodes Jr. The 6’6 edge came into the season with little attention but has amassed eight sacks, tied with Texas’ Colin Simmons for the second most in the conference. He’s dominant in one-on-one scenarios, so expect the Longhorns to use tight ends and running backs to chip the talented pass rusher.
The other lineman worth monitoring is senior Phillip Lee. After recording five sacks last season, Lee has followed up with 3.5 sacks, second most on the team, and six tackles for loss.
“What we’re doing in the run game is going to be important. We’re going to have to negate some of their pass rush with our ability to run the football,” said Sarkisian.
At linebacker, the Hogs are led by Xavian Sorey Jr. and Stephen Dix Jr. Both linebackers have been tackling machines, recording 140 combined tackles this year as a duo. If Arkansas needs a big play on defense, Sorey will likely be the player to make it. The Georgia transfer has been active in other areas of the game with 2.5 sacks, three passes defended, one interception, and a forced fumble. His speed and size give him the versatility to do it all for the defense.
In the secondary, Arkansas is anchored by Fresno State transfer Julian Neal and Auburn transfer Caleb Wooden. Neal, projected to be an NFL Draft selection, brings a 6’2, 208-pound frame and enough speed to match. A true cover corner that is excellent in run support, Neal’s shiftiness allows him to thrive when making tackles and defending passes. He leads the team in interceptions (two), ranks second in passes defended (nine), and is tied for third in tackles (51).
Wooden, a 6’1,195-pound safety, was also brought to Fayetteville in an effort to revamp the secondary. While that effort has largely been a failure, he has performed well individually. With 51 tackles, Wooden is tied for third on the team and has been an added hat in run support.
Elsewhere in the secondary, the Arkansas coaching staff prioritized size and physicality. Junior corner Jordan Young has added a punch to the defense while transfer Kani Walker boasts an impressive 6’2, 204-pound frame. Walker, a nine-game starter last season at Oklahoma, uses his frame well. While his 43 tackles are solid, Walker has truly excelled in coverage, leading the team with 10 passes defended and adding an 89-yard pick six.
Overall, this defense has struggled to stop opposing offenses and generate negative plays. Limiting both edge rushers will be key to getting the passing game going and creating opportunities against a subpar secondary. While the corners and safeties of Arkansas possesses strong size, their ability to stick to wide receivers has been exploited by opposing offenses. This is a prime opportunity for the Texas offense to get back on track after last week’s performance.
Special teams
Handling place-kicking responsibilities is true freshman Scott Starzyk. A graduate of The Woodlands in Texas, Starzyk was a highly-recruited kicker. In his first season, Starzyk has made 10-of-13 attempts with a long of 53 yards. Starzyk has struggled from distance, particularly on the road. All three of his misses have come from 40-plus yards in opposing stadiums.
The Arkansas punter is redshirt senior Devin Bale. The seasoned veteran is one of the better punters in the SEC, ranking seventh in yards per punt. He also handles kickoffs.
Running back Rodney Hill handles kick return duties, averaging 23.9 yards per return. UAB transfer Sam Shanks was expected to be a dangerous punt returner after being recognized as a first-team All-Conference selection in the AAC last year, but hasn’t been able to break free much this season. He averages 5.4 yards per return.
This could very much be a trap game for Texas. With playoff hopes all but eliminated against Georgia and an emotional game against A&M in two weeks, it would be easy to overlook the 2-8 Razorbacks. But with a dangerous offense, the Hogs have proven they can hang around high-quality opponents. How Texas responds after last week will be closely monitored by Longhorn faithful.
Defensively, the Longhorns secondary will be put to the test on Saturday. Can they communicate effectively and stick to the Arkansas wide receivers, particularly when Green is outside the pocket? The group will need a bounce-back performance after being exposed a week ago. Green will also challenge Texas’s ability to maintain edge containment. If he is able to slip into the open field, bringing him down will be challenging.
Offensively, Texas is facing a defense that has given up big chunks on the ground and in the air. The nonexistent Texas run game should have a chance to shine. Manning and the wide receivers will also have a favorable matchup against the Arkansas secondary. It is paramount that the Longhorns stay ahead of the chains and avoid beating themselves.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
