Image – ESPN
It was a busy off-season for Arkansas football following their third 2-10 season in the last eight years. Two months after Sam Pittman’s firing and three days after their season-ending 31-17 loss to Missouri, the Razorbacks hired Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield for the same role in Fayetteville.
There were many questions about Silverfield’s hiring by the media but he quickly answered them when quarterback KJ Jackson and defensive end Quincy Rhodes announced their returns to Fayetteville for the 2026 season at his introductory press conference. In addition, he flipped many 2026 instate recruits committed to other SEC programs just a few weeks after he was hired.
Silverfield and his new staff, which includes offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey, who worked in the same role with him at Memphis for the last four seasons, and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, who served in the same role at Florida the previous two seasons and also at Auburn and Baylor began spring football together.
Being a first year head coach in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) will be difficult for Silverfield but it is important that he has offensive continuity with Cramsey and an experienced defensive play-caller in Roberts, who’s coached in the SEC for years.
The focus for Arkansas football now goes to the 2026 season, where they attempt to make it to a bowl game for the first time since the 2025 season. The SEC Media Days head to Tampa for the first time this week and the Razorbacks will definitely be selected no higher than 14th or 15th by the media.
It makes sense as the Razorbacks have failed to get to a New Year’s Bowl game since 2021 and have a single home win (No. 4 Tennessee on Oct. 5, 2024) in the last two seasons at Razorback Stadium. It gets no easier for the Hogs this season, as they travel to Utah in non-conference play before an SEC slate that includes back-to-back SEC champion Georgia and other conference contenders Texas A&M, Texas and LSU.
It hurts Arkansas that they don’t face Kentucky or Mississippi State, the two other teams expected to be picked at the bottom of the league in 2026. The good news is they will welcome the Wildcats to Fayetteville and travel to face the Bulldogs in 2027.
While Silverfield may not have the depth on his roster that other SEC programs have, he and his team can prove everyone in the league wrong with a couple of victories to begin the season in September. The Razorbacks lost many one score games in Pittman’s tenure and he can fix it by coaching his team to not make as many mistakes before the snap.
The media does not expect anything from Arkansas football this fall. Silverfield and the Razorbacks can prove them wrong with a strong season on the Hill, the first one with nine SEC conference games.
Check out the group of incoming freshmen, transfers and my early thoughts on Ryan Silverfield’s first team and coaching staff at Arkansas by clicking this link.
Check out my projected depth chart and 2026 schedule projections below:
Projected Depth Chart:
Image – Whole Hog Sports
Quarterbacks
1.KJ Jackson, Redshirt Sophomore
2.AJ Hill, Redshirt Redshirt Freshman
3.Braeden Fuller, Redshirt Senior
4.Cade Trotter, Redshirt Freshman
5.Hank Hendrix, Freshman
For the first time in years, there will be a quarterback competition during fall camp in Fayetteville. Returner KJ Jackson and Memphis transfer AJ Hill have already competed through spring ball and will continue to do so when the team reunites at the end of July.
Jackson appeared in five games as a redshirt freshman and started the season finale against Missouri (Nov. 29). He completed 33-of-54 passing attempts for 441 yards and three touchdowns and carried the ball 11 times for 52 yards and two scores. He also saw action against Alabama A&M (Aug. 30), Arkansas State Texas A&M (Oct. 18) and Texas (Nov. 21) last fall. He went 6-for-7 for 48 yards in Gasparilla Bowl versus NC State (Dec. 19).
He learned Tim Crowley’s offense in the spring as he competed with AJ Hill for the starting job, who came over from Memphis with Silverfield. Hill redshirted his first and only season for the Tigers and saw action in only two games. He completed 19-of-32 passes for 223 yards with a touchdown and one interception. The Warner Robins, Ga. native made his collegiate debut at UAB (Oct. 18), passing for 175 yards on 13-of-25 with one TD and an interception. He also a
Both quarterbacks competed well through spring ball and will be expected to compete through fall camp to determine who the starting quarterback will be. Both have their pros and cons but Jefferson’s previous experience in the SEC, though limited, makes me think he will be the starter in the season-opener against North Alabama, though both guys should see play time against the Lions.
Redshirt senior Braeden Fuller, redshirt freshman Cade Trotter and incoming freshman Hank Hendrix make up the rest of the depth chart for quarterbacks coach Mitch Stewart, who replaced Clint Trickett after his short stint ended after he was hired away to become Maryland’s offensive coordinator.
Angelo State transfer Fuller will likely serve as the third-string signal-caller for the Razorbacks, saw action in 28 games and threw for 3,408 yards and 36 touchdowns in four seasons with the Rams. Trotter, a transfer from Clemson and a Highland Park High School alumnus, redshirted as a freshman before playing a scout team role in 2025. He will play behind Fuller as the fourth string quarterback in 2026.
Hank Hendrix will bring up the rear in Stewart’s room after a single season at Fayetteville High School. Hendrix, a four-star recruit according to 247 Sports, started 34 games in three years in his high school career, amassing 9,425 yards and completing 67.4% of his passes. He played his first three years at Boerne High School (TX) before transferring to Fayetteville for his junior season.
Going into the season, the media has the Razorback quarterback room as one of the worst in the SEC but Jackson or Hill can easily prove them wrong with a successful 2026 season.
Image – KNWA
Running Backs
1.Braylen Russell, Junior
2.Sutton Smith, Redshirt Senior
3.Cam Settles, Sophomore
4.Jasper Parker, Sophomore
5.TJ Hodges, Freshman
6.Markeylin Batton, Redshirt Freshman
Maybe the top group on the Razorback offense, the running back room has junior Braylon Russell, Memphis transfer Sutton Smith and four other capable backs.
Russell saw action in nine games and got one start as a sophomore. He totaled 55 carries and five rushing touchdowns and caught four passes for 27 yards in 2025. His best performance of the season was against Tennessee (Oct. 11), where he rushed eight times for 47 yards.
In his redshirt junior season at Memphis, Smith played in 12 games and rushed for 669 yards and seven touchdowns on 102 carries and added 20 receptions for 109 yards, 155 yards on five kick returns and 125 yards on 15 punt returns for a total of 1,058 total yards. He rushed 12 times for a career-best 147 yards and one touchdown in the Tigers’ 32-31 comeback victory against the Razorbacks back in September. Now as a redshirt senior, he will attempt to produce for the Razorback backfield next to Russell.
Settles and Parker are two rising sophomores that will be integral to Arkansas’ running back room. Settles played in nine games in 2025 for the Razorbacks. He registered 16 rushing yards on six carries while catching two passes for 16 yards. He recorded 10 rushing yards on four carries and caught one pass for five yards in a loss at Texas (Nov. 22).
Parker played in six games as a true freshman for Michigan. He rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. He carried the ball a season-high for a season-best 45 yards and a score against Central Michigan (Sept. 13).
Redshirt freshman Markelyin Batton and freshman TJ Hodges have major upside as the bottom of the depth chart under coach David Johnson. Batton saw action in four games as a freshman in 2025. Hodges, a four-star recruit from Bryant High School (AR), He recorded 108 carries for 900 yards, seven touchdowns and eight catches for 142 yards and three touchdowns for the Hornets as a senior.
Image – KNWA
Wide Receivers
Starters:
CJ Brown, Junior
Chris Marshall, Redshirt Senior
Ismael Cisse, Redshirt Junior
Backups:
Jamari Hawkins, Redshirt Senior
Antonio Jordan, Redshirt Freshman
Donovan Faupel, Senior
Courtney Crutchfield, Redshirt Sophomore
Monte Harrison, Sophomore
Jelani Watkins, Sophomore
Dequane Provo, Freshman
Blair Irvin III, Freshman
Arkansas puts CJ Brown and Ismael Cisse next to talented Boise State transfer Chris Marshall on the outside. Transfers Jamari Hawkins and Donovan Faupel join returners Antonio Jordan and Courtney Crutchfield on the bench.
Brown enters his third season on the Hill after playing in 12 games and getting 10 starts for the Razorbacks as a sophomore. He recorded 28 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He caught four passes for 49 yards in the Razorbacks’ win against Alabama A&M before catching five passes for 38 yards and a touchdown against Texas A&M.
Cisse suffered an injury prior to fall camp in 2025 and missed his redshirt sophomore season as a result. Prior to transferring to Arkansas, he played in all 12 games and made five starts for Stanford as a redshirt freshman. He finished the season with 26 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns and logged at least one reception in eight of his 12 games played, including five multi-catch performances.
After a season at Texas A&M, one at Kilgore College and two at Boise State, Marshall returned to the SEC, this time to Fayetteville as an Arkansas Razorback. While he has had off the field issues, Marshall will attempt to prove himself after starting five games and playing in 11 games, amassing 574 yards on 30 receptions with two touchdowns as a redshirt junior for the Broncos.
Hawkins, a Memphis transfer, and Faupel, a New Mexico State transfer, will be important if Arkansas can have a down the field passing attack. Hawkins, who came over to Fayetteville with Silverfield and Cramsey, caught 38 passes for 623 yards and two touchdowns and also returned three kicks for 91 yards. His 38 receptions and 623 yards were second on the team. Faupel played in all 12 games, earning Second-Team All-Conference USA from the league’s coaches. He caught 61 passes for a total of 661 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior in 2025.
After spending his freshman year at Missouri, Crutchfield, a Pine Bluff native, played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman for the Razorbacks. He caught one pass for 26 yards, the first of his career against LSU (Nov. 15). Jordan, a Warren native, saw action in losses against Texas A&M and Auburn. Crutchfield and Jordan will also be vital to Arkansas’ receiver depth in 2026.
Harrison, the former MLB outfielder, saw action in two games before suffering a season-ending injury, registering one catch for 29 yards. LSU transfer Watkins, a track star, spent two seasons in the Bayou, appearing in five games. He caught two passes for a total of 21 yards in a win over Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 20). He also saw action against Vanderbilt (Oct. 18) and Oklahoma (Nov. 29).
Provo and Irvin, two freshmen, will be important depth pieces for the Razorbacks in 2026 after both players helped Bentonville High School to a 12-0 season. Provo, a four-star prospect according to ESPN, registered 35 catches for 713 yards and 10 touchdowns as well as 7 rushes for 55 yards as a senior at Bentonville High School. Irvin, a consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN, recorded 42 receptions, 634 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns, two rushes for 39 yards and one rushing touchdown as a senior.
Image – 247 Sports
Tight Ends
1.Jaden Platt, Redshirt Junior
2.Ty Lockwood, Redshirt Junior
3.Matt Adcock, Senior
4.Gavin Garretson, Redshirt Freshman
Similar to the receivers, Jaden Platt returns to Fayetteville after a solid redshirt freshman next to Boston College transfer Ty Lockwood, Memphis transfer Matt Adcock and returner Gavin Garretson.
After two seasons at Texas A&M, Platt played in 12 games and recorded 21 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns for Arkansas in 2025. He recorded three receptions for a career-high 53 yards in a loss to Ole Miss (Sept. 13) and a career-high four receptions, 66 yards, and a touchdown at Texas (Nov. 22).
Lockwood spent two seasons at Alabama and one at Boston College. As a redshirt sophomore for the Eagles, he played in all 12 games, mostly as a special teams player and a reserve tight end. He caught two passes for 30 yards in 2025. Adcock played his first two collegiate seasons at Mississippi Gulf Community College, he transferred to play his junior season at Memphis under Coach Silverfield. He played in 12 games while making seven starts and totaled 12 receptions for 70 yards and three touchdowns.
Garretson redshirted his freshman season in 2025. He saw action in three games, including a season-opening victory against Alabama A&M and losses to Tennessee and Texas A&M (Oct. 18).
Image – Whole Hog Sports
Offensive Line
Starters:
LT: Kavion Broussard, Redshirt Sophomore
LG: Malachi Breland, Redshirt Junior
OC: Caden Kitler, Redshirt Senior
RG: Kobe Branham, Redshirt Sophomore
RT: Bryant Williams, Redshirt Senior
Backups:
LT: Josiah Clemons, Redshirt Freshman
LG: Davion Weatherspoon, Redshirt Senior
C: Kash Courtney, Redshirt Freshman
RG: Brooks Edmonson, Redshirt Senior
RT: Adam Hawkes, Redshirt Sophomore
Arkansas’ offensive line is a strong unit, being anchored by returners Caden Kitler and Kobe Branham with Bryant Williams expected to step in at right tackle after transferring from Louisiana.
After transferring from Ole Miss, Broussard saw action in six games and made one start against Missouri. He also played in games against Alabama A&M, Arkansas State, Notre Dame (Sept. 27) and Mississippi State (Nov. 1).
Breland spent three seasons at Memphis before transferring to Fayetteville when Silverfield was hired by Arkansas. As a redshirt sophomore, he started all 12 games at left guard for the Tigers. He posted a pass blocking grade of 79.6 according to PFF after allowing just one sack in 454 opportunities. He helped pave the way for a Memphis offense that averaged 420.7 yards per game while averaging 34.6 points per game.
After three seasons at UCF, Kitler transferred to Arkansas for his redshirt senior season. The Colony, Texas native started in all 11 games he saw action for the Razorbacks in 2025. He blocked for six games of 500+ yards of total offense and paved the way for 512 yards of total offense in a loss at Texas (Nov. 22).
Branham started 11 of 12 games while paving the way for six games of 500+ yards of total offense as a redshirt freshman in 2025. Like Kitler, paved the way for 512 yards of total offense in a loss at Texas (Nov. 22). He also played an important role in Arkansas’ 526 yards of total offense (305 passing and 225 rushing) in a loss at Ole Miss (Sept. 13)
Williams spent four seasons at Louisiana where he turned into a star of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ offensive line. He started 11 games and did not allow a sack and was part of an offensive line that blocked for 344.8 yards per game in 2025. The Lake Charles, Louisiana native helped Louisiana rank 31st nationally in rushing yards per game with 183.2 a contest as a redshirt junior in 2025.
Clemons spent his freshman season at Memphis before following Silverfield to Arkansas. He did not see game action in 2025. Courtney redshirted his freshman season and saw action in three games with one start. He made his first career start (Nov. 1) and also appeared in victories against Alabama A&M and Arkansas State.
Weatherspoon started all 13 games at left guard as a First-Team All-MAC selection by the league’s coaches, leading the Bobcats in offensive snaps played with 881 according to Pro Football Focus. Edmonson played in all 12 games, appearing primarily on special teams. Hawkes transferred to Arkansas after two years at Oregon State. In 2025, earning a pair of starts against Lafayette and Washington State.
Image – allHOGS
Defensive Line
Starters:
DE: Quincy Rhodes Jr., Senior
DT: Hunter Osborne, Redshirt Junior
DT: David Oke, Redshirt Senior
Backups:
DE: Xadavien Sims, Redshirt Sophomore
DT: Carlon Jones, Redshirt Sophomore
DT: Trajen Odom, Redshirt Freshman
Rhodes’ return to Fayetteville after the coaching change was huge for Silverfield and his staff after a season where he was on the All-SEC Second Team by the AP and Coaches. He started 11 of 12 games, tallied 44 tackles including a team-leading 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He became the first Razorback to register three multi-sack games in a season since Tre Williams in 2021 and the first Razorback to register double-digit tackles for loss in a season since Landon Jackson (13.5) in 2023.
Osborne spent two seasons at Alabama and one at Virginia before coming to the Hill for his redshirt junior season. He played in all 14 games for the Cavaliers, recording 15 tackles with two tackles for loss and one sack. He recorded a career-best four tackles versus Stanford (Sept. 20). Oke spent three seasons at Abilene Christian before transferring to Arkansas in 2025 and redshirting. He saw action in three games for the Razorbacks and he collected four tackles for a loss.
Sims, a high-upside end, spent two seasons at Oregon where he appeared in four games and made one tackle. Similarly, another west coast transfer Jones, who spent two seasons at USC, played in eight games and made four tackles in 2025 after redshirting his first season in Los Angeles. A third Big Ten transfer, Odom, played in two games as a freshman for Ohio State in 2025, seeing action against Grambling (Sept. 6) and Minnesota (Oct. 4).
Image – Whole Hog Sports
Linebackers
Starters:
JACK Linebacker: Steven Soles Jr., Junior
Linebacker: Bradley Shaw, Junior
Linebacker: Jamonta Waller, Redshirt Sophomore
Backups:
JACK Linebacker: Charlie Collins, Junior, Jamonta Walker, Redshirt Sophomore
Linebacker: Phoenix Jackson, Redshirt Senior, Wyatt Simmons, Redshirt Sophomore
Linebacker: Jeremy Evans, Redshirt Senior, Ben Bogle, Redshirt Senior
Soles has emerged as a leader of the Arkansas linebacker room throughout the off-season. He was productive in his two seasons in Lexington at Kentucky, playing in 22 games, making 16 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble. The Powell, Tenn. native recorded two sacks and forced two fumbles in their 2025 season-opener against Toledo (Aug. 30).
As a sophomore, Shaw saw action in 12 games with seven starts for the Razorbacks. He tallied 50 total tackles, including five tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. He will be trusted to step up and be a starter for Arkansas in 2026 after a solid 2025 season.
Collins played in nine games and made three starts as a sophomore. He made nine tackles, including a tackle for loss. He made his first collegiate start in a season-opening win over Alabama A&M while recording two tackles (Aug. 30) and recorded three tackles in a loss to Auburn.
Jackson spent his first four seasons of college at Fresno State before transferring to Baylor for the 2025 season. There, he played in three games before suffering a season-ending injury. He logged 11 tackles before injury, eight of them against Baylor in their season-opener (Aug. 29). Fellow Baylor transfer Jeremy Evans, where he played four seasons. Across that time, he played in 29 contests and recorded 24 tackles, one forced fumble, one pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.
Waller saw limited action in his two seasons at Auburn. As a freshman in 2024, he saw action in two games before a season-ending foot injury wiped out his freshman season. He recorded one tackle vs. Alabama A&M (Aug. 31) in his collegiate debut. He did not see any action in 2025.
Secondary
Image – 247 Sports
Cornerbacks
Starters:
1.Jahiem Johnson, Redshirt Junior
2.Khmori House, Junior
3.La’Khi Roland, Junior
Backups:
1.Braydon Lee, Redshirt Sophomore
2.Carter Stoutmire, Senior
3.Shelton Lewis, Redshirt Junior
4.Tyler Scott, Redshirt Junior
5.DJ Hairston Jr., Sophomore
Johnson was one of the top available cornerbacks in the transfer portal after three years and two impressive seasons at Group of Six powerhouse Tulane. He started all 14 games seeing the field for a team-high 834 defensive snaps. The Hammond, La. native made 42 tackles with one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and four interceptions to earn All-American Conference Honorable Mention in 2025.
Former Washington and North Carolina defender, House made 16 starts across 24 games the last two seasons. He led the Tar Heels with 81 tackles after being voted a team captain and earned All-ACC Honorable Mention after his efforts during the 2025 season.
Stoutmire was a vital part of the Colorado defensive backfield for three seasons, playing in 32 games, starting in 15 of them. Over his time in Boulder, he made 91 tackles, 12 pass breakups, 1 tackle for loss, four quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Three year Clemson defensive back Lewis has seen action in 27 games and made six starts. He made 23 tackles and two interceptions as a Tigers.
Roland played 27 games at Maryland before transferring to Arkansas in the off-season. He posted 31 tackles, one for loss and a team-high three interceptions in 2025. Fellow former Terrapin Lee started two of 15 games in the two seasons he was in College Park. He recorded 19 tackles, one for loss and an interception.
Former Auburn and Georgia State defensive back Scott missed his one season on the plains after tearing his ACL. After transferring to play one season with Panthers, playing in two games and making four tackles. Hairston played in all nine games, making 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and one fumble recovery during his freshman year at Hinds Community College.
Image – Sports Illustrated
Safeties
Starters:
1.Kyeaure Magloire, Redshirt Senior
2.Christian Harrison, Redshirt Senior
Backups:
1.Miguel Mitchell, Redshirt Senior
2.Nsongbeh Ginyui, Sophomore
3.Tay Lockett, Freshman
4.Ian Williams, Sophomore
5.Lamarcus Hicks II, Redshirt Freshman
A former Eastern Kentucky and West Georgia transfer, Magloire played in 30 games, tallied 80 tackles, nine pass breakups, three interceptions and recovered one fumble across three seasons. After two seasons at Tennessee and one at Cincinnati, Harrison brings experience to Fayetteville after starting all 12 games at safety in 2025. He made 66 tackles, seven pass breakups, 2.5 tackles for loss and one interception for the Bearcats.
After two seasons at Florida, Mitchell has impressed in Fayetteville, seeing action in 17 games over the last two seasons and making 72 tackles, two interceptions and one pass break up. Ginyui appeared in 10 games, tallied 47 total tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, four pass breakups and a tackle for loss in one season at Bakersfield College.
Hicks redshirted his only season at Iowa State and played three games on special teams. Williams played in 13 games as a true freshman, making six tackles at Memphis before following Silverfield to Arkansas. Lockett, a San Diego native, transferred to play at Conway High School after pledging to Arkansas. As a senior for the Wampus Cats, he recorded 56 tackles, 10 pass breakups, a forced fumble and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, in 2025.
Image – Whole Hog Sports
Special Teams
Placekicker: Max Gilbert, Redshirt Junior
Kickoffs: Braeden McCalister, Redshirt Senior
Punter: Gavin Rush, Redshirt Freshman
Long Snapper: Adam Johnston, Redshirt Junior
Kick Returner: Sutton Smith, Redshirt Senior
Punt Returner: Sutton Smith, Redshirt Senior
Gilbert kicked all 26 of Tennessee’s games the last two seasons. He made 14-of-18 field goals and all 64 point after attempts as a redshirt sophomore in 2025. The Memphis native missed a potential game-winning field goal against Georgia (Sept. 13) but his production outside of that suggests that he will be a good replacement for former Razorback placekicker Scott Starzyk, who transferred to rival LSU in the off-season.
Georgia State transfer McCalister kicked in all 12 games for the Panthers, primarily as the team’s kickoff specialist. Of his 43 kickoffs, 36 were touchbacks. He is expected to fill the same role in Fayetteville as Silverfield’s first kickoff man.
Rush redshirted his freshman season at Arkansas. He will be expected to start at punter as a redshirt freshman following a 2025 season where he only appeared as a holder in the win against Arkansas State.
Former Modesto Junior College and Sacramento State long snapper Johnston will fulfill the same role at Arkansas. He earned Honorable Mention after handling all long snapping duties for the Hornets in 2025.
Smith had 155 yards on five kick returns and 125 yards on 15 punt returns for Memphis in 2025. He will be expected to fill both roles for Arkansas in 2026 alongside his running back duties.
2026 Schedule Projections:
Image – University of North Alabama Athletics
Saturday, September 5
North Alabama
3:15 p.m. CT / SEC Network
Arkansas opens the 2026 campaign and Ryan Silverfield’s Razorback tenure against North Alabama in the first meeting between the programs. The game is set for Sept. 5 in Fayetteville, giving Silverfield his first chance to coach Arkansas.
North Alabama is coming off a 2-10 season in 2025, matching Arkansas’ record from last fall. The Lions’ lost their only game against FBS competition to Western Kentucky 55-6 (Aug. 30) and their only wins came against Northeastern State (Sept. 13) and Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 18) last fall.
Before heading to Fayetteville, North Alabama opens its 2026 season at home against Samford on Aug. 29. That gives the Lions one tune-up before facing Arkansas, while the Razorbacks enter Week 1 with a first-time opponent on the schedule.
Arkansas should be favored on paper, especially with North Alabama replacing almost all the pieces of a tough 2025 season. The main storyline is whether Silverfield’s debut can set the tone immediately, while North Alabama will try to prove it can handle an SEC road trip after opening with Samford.
Arkansas will dominate North Alabama to open Silverfield’s tenure. The Razorbacks offense will overwhelm the Lions’ defense giving their defense time on the sidelines. North Alabama will continue their road trip to Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 12) for week 2 action.
Carter’s Pick: Arkansas 42, North Alabama 14
Image – FBS Schedules
Saturday, September 12
at Utah
9:15 p.m. / ESPN
The Razorbacks travel to Salt Lake City for their first ever matchup against Utah for a late-night duel against the Utes in week 2.
Utah finished with a 10-2 overall record and won seven games in their second season in the Big 12. The Utes fell to the two teams that appeared in the conference championship game last fall, Texas Tech and BYU. That was a big reason why they were ranked No. 15 in the final College Football Playoff rankings, five spots away from an at-large bid to make an appearance. After the season, their head coach Kyle Whittingham moved on to the same role at Michigan. Longtime defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has taken over for his mentor.
Before the Utes host the Razorbacks, they open the season at home in Salt Lake City against Idaho on a Thursday (Sept. 3). Scalley’s team will get one cupcake game before they welcome Arkansas to town (Sept. 12).
Scalley retained senior quarterback Devon Dampier, junior tailback Parker Wayshawn and three starters on defense following Whittingham’s exit. Utah State transfer Braden Pegan and San Jose State transfer Kyri Shoels are experienced receivers that will help Dampier down the field. The overall success for the Utah offense will likely depend on the success of the offensive line that replaces all five starters.
The three returning starters for the Utes’ defense, senior linebacker Johnathan Hall, senior cornerback Elijah Davis and junior safety Jackson Bennee will be vital to their success in the front seven and on the back end. After having trouble stopping the run at the end of last season, the Utes added more defensive line talent from the transfer portal including San Jose State’s Jireh Moe and Wyoming’s Lucas Samsula. If all three parts of the defense come together, they can contend for a Big 12 title in their third season in the league.
With Arkansas’ inexperience at quarterback and nine new starters, it is hard to see the Razorbacks going into Rice-Eccles Stadium and getting a victory in Silverfield’s second game as head coach. However, it is just Scalley’s second game as head coach of the Utes, too. If the Razorbacks are going to win, it will come down to Braylen Russell making a touchdown run or Quincy Rhodes making a big sack in the fourth quarter to overcome the Utes.
Utah will outlast Arkansas at home thanks to the combination Dampier and Parker in the backfield. They will be too much for a new-look Razorback defense. After the Utes take on Arkansas they finish their three game home stand to open the 2026 season against Utah State.
Carter’s Pick: Utah 31, Arkansas 17
Image – Whole Hog Sports
Saturday, September 19
Georgia
11 a.m. / ABC
Arkansas welcomes Georgia to Fayetteville for the first time since they opened the SEC-only 2020 schedule against the Bulldogs.
Georgia went 12-2 and 7-1 in the SEC and won their second consecutive conference championship after defeating Alabama 28-7 in Atlanta. The Bulldogs have failed to make the College Football Playoff Semifinals for the second consecutive season after SEC foe Ole Miss (Jan. 1) defeated them 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl.
Before the Bulldogs travel to Fayetteville to face Arkansas (Sept. 19), they welcome Western Kentucky to Athens (Sept. 12). Georgia should have a 2-0 record entering SEC play after victories over Tennessee State (Sept. 5) in week 1 and the Hilltoppers in week 2.
Mike Bobo’s unit returns starter Stetson Bennett and tailback Nate Frazier behind center and three offensive lineman. After losing former USC transfer Zachiarah Branch at receiver to the NFL, Georgia grabbed junior Isaiah Canion from rival Georgia Tech to play next to sophomore Sacovie White-Helton and freshman Talyn Taylor at wide receiver.
Glenn Schumann’s group returns six starters from 2025, headlined by senior linebacker Raylen Wilson and junior safety KJ Bolden. Wilson and Bolden are joined by a group on the line including senior end Gabe Harris Jr. and junior nose tackle Xzavier McLeod. Wilson will play at linebacker next to junior Quintavius Johnston and Bolden stands next to sophomore cornerback Ellis Robinson IV in the Bulldog secondary.
Georgia will overwhelm Arkansas in Silverfield’s SEC opener. The Razorbacks offense will fail to get going thanks to Wilson at linebacker and Bolden at safety. The Bulldogs’ offense, led by Stockton and Frazier, will overcome the Razorback defense and start SEC play on a good note. Kirby Smart’s team is capable of making the College Football Playoff and advancing far and they will show their capabilities on Sept. 19.
Georgia will continue SEC play when they return home to face fellow 2025 College Football Playoff team Oklahoma (Sept. 26) to close out the opening month of the regular season. The Bulldogs will matchup with the Sooners for the first time since UGA out dueled OU 54-48 in double overtime in the Rose Bowl to send them to the national championship game.
Carter’s Pick: Georgia 38, Arkansas 17
Image – Arkansas Razorbacks
Saturday, September 26
Tulsa
7 p.m. / SEC Network +
The Razorbacks face off with one of the most common opponents in their history, the Golden Hurricane to end the month of September. Tulsa will face Arkansas in Fayetteville for the first time since 2018, when the Razorbacks defeated the Golden Hurricanes 23-0 at Razorback Stadium.
During Tre Lamb’s first season as head coach, Tulsa went 4-8 and 1-7 in the American Conference. The Golden Hurricane defeated Oklahoma State (Sept. 19), Oregon State (Nov. 15), and got their lone conference victory against Army (Nov. 22) on the second to last Saturday of the regular season.
Tulsa welcomes East Texas A&M to town in week 3 (Sept. 19) prior to their week 4 trip to Fayetteville after hosting instate opponent Oklahoma State (Sept. 5) and travels to Huntsville to face Sam Houston State (Sept. 12) before they face the Lions.
Sophomore quarterback Baylor Hayes will be trusted as an “x-factor” for Tulsa, especially after leading the Golden Hurricane to a victory over the Cowboys last season. They get a similar opportunity against the Razorbacks this season, and if Old Dominion transfer Trequan Jones and an offensive line led by returning right tackle Cam East can help him out, they may have a chance to defeat the Razorbacks.
Big plays killed Tulsa’s defense in 2025. With only Hayes and East back for the Golden Hurricane offense, six return for the TU defense including senior defensive lineman Tai Newhouse, junior cornerbacks JD Drew and Elijah Green, junior star Devin Robinson and junior safety Zach Williams will be crucial to their success in 2026, especially against Arkansas.
The Razorbacks cannot overlook Tulsa, especially after facing Georgia (Sept. 19) the previous Saturday. Arkansas’ offense will definitely be challenged against the Tulsa defense. As a result, the Razorbacks’ defense will have to limit Hayes, who threw 2,158 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and his tailback, Jones.
Arkansas and Tulsa will go back-and-forth in the first quarter but the Razorbacks’ athletes at running back and wide receiver including Braylen Russell, Sutton Smith, Chris Marshall, CJ Brown and Ismael Cisse will help the Razorbacks overcome the Golden Hurricane.
The Golden Hurricane begin American Conference play against North Texas (Oct. 1) when they return home to Tulsa. The Mean Green will have to rebuild after losing head coach Eric Morris and most of his roster to Oklahoma State under new head coach Neal Brown.
Carter’s Pick: Arkansas 34, Tulsa 17
Image – Southeastern Conference
Saturday, October 3
at Texas A&M
Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA
Arkansas heads to College Station and will face Texas A&M at Kyle Field for the first time since 2020, when the Aggies defeated the Razorbacks 42-31 on their way to a 11-1 regular season.
Texas A&M started the 2025 season 11-0 prior to dropping their final two games. Had the Aggies defeated Texas (Nov. 28), they would have made their first appearance in the SEC Championship game. After their second loss to the Longhorns in as many seasons, A&M failed to score a touchdown against Miami (Dec. 20) in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. The Hurricanes defeated the Aggies 10-3 at Kyle Field.
Texas A&M will be traveling home from Baton Rouge after facing rival LSU (Sept. 26) before returning home to face Arkansas at Kyle Field. The Aggies, who also play Kentucky (Sept. 19), will have already played two SEC games before they face the Razorbacks (Oct. 3).
Following the disappointing end to the season, offensive coordinator Collin Klein returned to his alma mater to become the head coach at Kansas State. Wide receiver coach Holman Wiggins was promoted to replace Klein. Wiggins is lucky that Texas A&M returned junior quarterback Marcel Reed, leading rusher, junior Rueben Owens, junior Mario Craver and sophomore Ashton Bethel-Roman at receiver and senior Mark Nabou at center.
The Aggie secondary profiles as its best room on defense in 2026. Senior safeties Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks in addition to junior cornerback Dezz Ricks will be a tough group to pass against this fall. A&M was fourth in the nation in sacks last season but SEC Player of the Year Cashius Howell is gone. Sophomore defensive end Marco Jones or transfer Anto Saka are expected to fill Howell’s role. Senior Daymion Sanford is expected to anchor the linebacking core for Texas A&M.
Whether the starting quarterback is Jackson or Hill, they will have to be schooled up on SEC secondaries because A&M’s secondary is going to be one of the best in the country let alone the nation. In addition, Arkansas’ wide receivers will have to have their heads on a swivel looking for Ratcliffe, Brooks and Ricks making a big play for the Aggies’ defense. Last season, the Arkansas defense gave up 45 points in their three-point loss (Oct. 18). If the Razorbacks want to win versus Texas A&M this season, Quincy Rhodes, Bradley Shaw and Jahiem Johnson will have to step up and make big plays for Arkansas.
The game may be close in the first half, but the Kyle Field crowd will be too much too muster for the Razorbacks to deal with. Texas A&M should move to 2-0 in the SEC with a win over the Razorbacks.
Texas A&M will travel to Columbia after facing Arkansas. The Aggies will play annual opponent Missouri (Oct. 10), looking for their third straight victory against the Tigers.
Carter’s Pick: Texas A&M 31, Arkansas 14
Image – Southwestern Times Record
Saturday, October 10
Tennessee
Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA
Arkansas and Tennessee square off at Razorback Stadium for the first time since 2024, a 19-14 upset for the Razorbacks over the then No. 4 ranked Volunteers (Oct. 5).
Tennessee welcomes Auburn (Oct. 3) to Knoxville before they return to Fayetteville for the first time in two seasons. The Volunteers will face the Tigers for the first time since 2020, when AU defeated UT 30-17.
Tennessee was solid during the 2025 season, winning eight games overall and four in the SEC. The Volunteers’ quarterback Joey Aguilar led the league in passing yards per game and last season but is out of eligibility. Outside of their efficient offense led by Aguilar, the Tennessee defense was not good at stopping their opponents, allowing 30 or more points seven times.
Now, Volunteers’ fans expect their team to return to the College Football Playoff. As a result of their lack of success on defense last fall, head coach Josh Heupel hired Jim Knowles, the former Penn State defensive coordinator to the same position after firing Tim Eubanks. Three starting defenders return to Knoxville including senior weak side linebacker Arion Carter, junior strong safety Edges Fardoq, and sophomore Ty Redmond next to multiple former Nittany Lions following Knowles, including senior middle linebacker Amare Campbell.
Without Aguilar, there will be a quarterback competition between redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub, who enters his third collegiate season. Six returning starters are back to play in Heupel’s offense, including junior tailback DeSean Bishop, junior receiver Mike Matthews, sophomore receiver Braylon Staley and four of five offensive linemen.
For Arkansas to defeat Tennessee for the fifth time in six attempts, they will have to be very good. If inexperienced quarterback MacIntyre is the starter for the Volunteers this season, and Quincy Rhodes Jr., Hunter Osborne and Bradley Shaw get to the quarterback, they can set up the Arkansas offense with better field position. UT’s defense should be better but the Razorback offense should be able to advance the ball down the field.
The inexperience of Silverfield and his coaching staff in the SEC will be the reason why Tennessee will outlast Arkansas and defeat them by just three points. If the Volunteers win against the Razorbacks this season, they will begin their first win streak against UA since 2000, when they won three straight games (2000-2002).
Tennessee will renew the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry against Alabama (Oct. 17) in Knoxville after facing the Razorbacks. The Volunteers have defeated the Crimson Tide back-to-back times in Knoxville, winning 52-49 in 2022 and 24-17 in 2024.
Carter’s Pick: Tennessee 24, Arkansas 21
Image – Arkansas Razorbacks
Saturday, October 17
at Vanderbilt
Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA
The Razorbacks will play Vanderbilt in Nashville for the first time since 2011. Arkansas came from behind and won that game against the Commodores 31-28 en route to an 11-win season.
Vanderbilt will face their old cross-division rivalry versus Ole Miss (Oct. 10) for the first time since 2023 before facing Arkansas (Oct. 17). The Commodores will attempt to end a five-game losing streak to the Rebels.
Vanderbilt comes off of a 10-win season in 2025 on the back of a Heisman runner-up season from Diego Pavia and tight end Eli Stowers, who both head to the NFL after a tremendous two-year run on the West End. The Commodores won six of their first eight games last fall with victories against SEC opponents South Carolina, LSU, Missouri and Tennessee before dropping their bowl game to Iowa.
Clark Lea replaced Pavia with five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, a Nashville native and a former Georgia commit behind center. Curtis will stand next to productive running back Sedrick Alexander and wide receiver Junior Sherrill. Only one offensive lineman, senior left guard Cade McConnell returns as a starter next to fellow four-year tight end Cole Spence.
Five starters are back for what was a so/so Vanderbilt defense in 2025. They are senior defensive end Miles Capers, inside linebacker Bryan Longwell, cornerback Martel Height and junior defensive tackle Glenn Seabrooks III. Three Power 4 transfers join the Commodore defense for this fall, so Lea’s unit should be ready to compete for another season above VU’s previous standards before his tenure in Nashville.
This is a winnable game for Arkansas but it is on the road. The Razorbacks have not played on the gridiron in Nashville in 15 years and it comes in a season with their first-year head coach, who last coached in the same state. Silverfield’s team will go back into the “Volunteer State” after falling to Tennessee the week before and upset Vanderbilt, their first SEC win since Oct. 26, 2024 at Mississippi State.
After their first opportunity to play the Razorbacks in over a decade, Vanderbilt travels to Lexington to face Kentucky (Oct. 17). The Commodores will attempt to continue their success against the Wildcats in UK’s first season with new head coach Will Stein.
Carter’s Pick: Arkansas 28, Vanderbilt 24
Saturday, October 24
OPEN
Image – Mizzou Athletics
Saturday, October 31
Missouri
Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA
With the SEC moving to a nine-game football schedule in 2026, Missouri will travel to Fayetteville and face Arkansas at Razorback Stadium for the second consecutive season. The Razorbacks will not face the Tigers the final weekend of the regular season for the first time since 2020.
Missouri will travel to Oxford to face Ole Miss (Oct. 17) before taking their bye week ahead of their game against Arkansas (Oct. 31) on Halloween. The Tigers and Razorbacks will both be coming off of their bye weeks entering their matchup.
Eli Drinkwitz’s team was solid in 2025, but could not make their first College Football Playoff appearance because injuries forced then freshman quarterback Matt Zollers into a role he was not ready for. Missouri still won eight games overall and four in the SEC thanks to a strong running game and defense but without a strong passing offense, the Tigers failed to defeat Alabama, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M or Oklahoma. Tailback Ahmad Hardy’s physical running style powered UM’s offense last season.
Tragedy hit when junior running back Hardy was shot in the off-season. His availability will be in question but backup Jamal Roberts is capable and he should be a quality piece beside Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons, who began the 2025 season as the starter for the Rebels before getting injured and Trinidad Chambliss taking over for him and leading them to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. Senior tight end Brett Norfleet and left tackle Cayden Green headline five returners to the Tiger offense in 2026.
Corey Batoon’s defense was incredible in 2025, allowing just 18.9 points a game. There will be a new-look unit for him this fall after all 11 defenders that played for Batoon exited the program. Cornerback transfers Chris Graves Jr. (Ole Miss) and Jahlil Florence (Oregon), and linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. (Auburn) will be the guys Arkansas offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey will have to game plan for weeks ahead of their matchup.
Arkansas has not defeated Missouri since the 2021 season. For the Razorbacks to defeat Drinkwitz and the Tigers, it will take a phenomenal defensive performance against the dynamic quarterback Simmons, a rushing attack that could include Hardy, Roberts, and the tight end Norfleet. The Razorbacks will keep it close, but Missouri will defeat Arkansas by ten points.
The Tigers return home to face Texas (Nov. 7) to begin the final month of the regular season. The last time Missouri and Texas battled was in the 2017 Texas Bowl, when the Longhorns defeated the Tigers 33-16.
Carter’s Pick: Missouri 31, Arkansas 21
Image – ESPN
Saturday, November 7
at Auburn
Early 11 a.m.-Noon / TBA
As Arkansas begins the final month of the regular season, they will attempt to continue their two-game winning streak at Auburn inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Auburn faces Ole Miss (Oct. 31) in Oxford on Halloween before hosting Arkansas. The Rebels will look to continue a two-game winning streak against the Tigers.
Auburn has not had a winning record since 2019. After Hugh Freeze’s last team on the Plains went 5-7 and won their only SEC game in Fayetteville against Arkansas (Oct. 25), his offensive acumen should be what gets the Tigers back on the right foot again in 2026.
The former South Florida coach brought key staff members and offensive contributors from the Bulls including quarterback Byrum Brown, wide receivers Chas Nimrod, Keshaun Singleton, Jeremiah Koger and center Cole Brown. Brown eclipsed 3,000 passing yards in both the 2023 and 2025 seasons after an injury half way through 2024 cut his season short. Senior running back Jeremiah Cobb returns to Auburn after rushing for 969 yards and five scores in 2025.
Golesh retained defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, who was up for the permanent head coaching position after serving in the interim role to finish the 2025 season. Durkin returns a centerpiece at the linebacker position Xavier Atkins, a first team All-SEC selection with 17 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles last fall. Sophomore Elijah Melendez will complement Atkins at linebacker while the Tigers’ safety position is filled with depth, including junior Fred Gaskin III, Sylvester Smith, and sophomore Eric Winters.
Silverfield is a perfect 3-0 against Golesh during their time as head coach in the American Conference at Memphis and USF respectively. Will Auburn protect their home field against Arkansas, end that streak and defeat the Razorbacks for the first time since 2020? Coming into the 2026 season, the Tigers’ roster looks much better than Arkansas’. But something tells me Silverfield’s team will get a few wins no one expects them to get. The Razorbacks will walk into Jordan-Hare Stadium and grab their second SEC win of the season.
After facing the Razorbacks, Auburn returns to the state of Mississippi when they travel to Starkville to face Mississippi State (Nov. 14).
Carter’s Pick: Arkansas 35, Auburn 31
Image – TheState.com
Saturday, November 14
South Carolina
Flex 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. / TBA
Arkansas will face South Carolina in Fayetteville for just the first time since 2022, when the Razorbacks defeated the Gamecocks 44-30.
South Carolina welcomes Texas A&M (Nov. 7) to open the final month of the regular season before traveling to face Arkansas (Nov. 14). The Gamecocks and Aggies have faced each other the last 12 seasons when they became cross-division rivals after being the Razorbacks’ cross-division opponent since the two teams joined the SEC.
After beginning the season ranked 11th in the AP Poll, South Carolina went 4-8 and won a single SEC game in 2025. Shane Beamer’s job is on the line after the Gamecocks’ only wins against Power 4 competition were against Virginia Tech (Aug. 31) and Kentucky (Sept. 27), which both came in the first month of the regular season.
Without support from his offensive line and a coordinator that forced him to limit his rushing ability, LaNorris Sellers and the Carolina offense faltered last fall. The defense was average after losing multiple players to the NFL Draft following the 2024 season.
As a result, Beamer fired Mike Shula and hired former Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles for the same position in Columbia. Sellers is a similar quarterback to Briles’ last quarterback in Fayetteville, KJ Jefferson, a big body athlete with a big arm and a tremendous athlete. Sellers can thrive in this system with Nyck Harbor and his brother Jayden Sellers back at wide receiver.
The rest of the offense will be the problem for the Gamecocks. Sophomore Matt Fuller is expected to step in at tailback while tackle Josiah Thompson is out for the season and transfer Jacarrius Peak is questionable for the start of the season with a lingering knee injury.
Clayton White’s defense has many questions for the 2026 season. Star end Dylan Stewart sat out spring ball with a back issue so his availability will be critical throughout the season, especially as much as he was double-teamed last fall. Stewart is one of five returners for the South Carolina defense, including linebackers Judge Collier, Jayr Johnson, Justin Okoronkwo and safety Peyton Williams.
As Briles goes back to Fayetteville for the first time since Arkansas’ 44-30 victory against the Gamecocks four years ago, South Carolina could enter their battle against the Razorbacks having already fired their head coach, Beamer. If this is the case, which it could be, Silverfield and his team could take advantage of that. However, Sellers, Harbor, and Stewart won’t want to give up on their season. South Carolina will get their first win in Fayetteville since 2013 (Oct. 12) after defeating the Razorbacks.
South Carolina wraps up SEC play against rival Georgia (Nov. 21) when they return home from Fayetteville after facing Arkansas. The Gamecocks and Bulldogs will match up for the first time since the 2023 season when they meet up the second to last Saturday of the regular season.
Carter’s Pick: South Carolina 28, Arkansas 21
Image – AP News
Saturday, November 21
at Texas
Afternoon 2:30-3:30 p.m. / TBA
Arkansas will travel to Austin to face Texas for the second consecutive season after the SEC moved to nine league games. The Razorbacks and Longhorns will meet up in the Afternoon window for the third consecutive season.
Texas travels to Baton Rouge to face LSU (Nov. 14) before returning to Austin to face Arkansas (Nov. 21). The Longhorns and Tigers could be two College Football Playoff contenders late into November, setting up an important matchup likely set up in primetime.
After insane expectations ahead of the 2025 season, Texas failed to make the College Football Playoff after back-to-back appearances the two seasons before. Losses to Ohio State (Aug. 30), Florida (Oct. 4), and Georgia (Nov. 15). After their loss to the Bulldogs, the Longhorns finished the season strong, winning their final three games against Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
Arch Manning threw 11 touchdowns with only one interception during the final five games of the regular season. With Auburn transfer Cam Coleman, who has caught 13 touchdown passes over the last two seasons, joining returners Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosely V on the outside, it should be an easier start to the season for Manning and the Texas passing attack. Arizona State transfer Raleek Brown and North Carolina State transfer Hollywood Smothers will form a solid duo in the backfield for Steve Sarkisian. They will play behind a line that returns senior Connor Robertson and junior right guard Brandon Baker.
Sarkisian made an interesting decision when he fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatiwski (whose defenses gave up an average of 18.1 points per game in the last three seasons) in hopes of an even better one with the hire of Will Muschamp, who returns to Austin to fill the same position he had from 2008-2010, after serving on Kirby Smart’s staff at Georgia for the past five seasons. Muschamp has playmakers at every level with end Colin Simmons (12 sacks in 2025), linebackers Ty’Anthony Smith, Rasheem Biles (Pittsburgh transfer), Justin Cryer (Florida State) and safety Jelani McDonald, who led the team in tackles and interceptions in 2025).
After welcoming Texas to the SEC with a dominant 40-21 in 2021, Arkansas has fallen to the Longhorns in back-to-back seasons since they joined the league. For the Razorbacks to win this late-season rivalry battle, they cannot give up over 50 points to Manning and the elite Longhorn offense, like they did in the 52-37 defeat last season.
Now, Arkansas has to return to Austin for the second consecutive season after the league’s move to nine conference games. With Manning at quarterback, Coleman, Wing, and Mosley at receiver, and Brown and Smothers at tailback, and a defense that includes Simmons up front and McDonald on the back end, Texas is in a different class than Arkansas right now. The Longhorns will defeat the Razorbacks on their way to a third College Football Playoff appearance in four seasons.
Texas finishes the regular season against instate rival Texas A&M on Black Friday in the Lone Star Showdown. The Longhorns look for their third consecutive win against the Aggies since they joined the SEC and their first College Football Playoff appearance since the 2024 season.
Carter’s Pick: Texas 42, Arkansas 21
Image – The Daily Advertiser
Saturday, November 28
LSU
Early 11 a.m.-Noon / TBA
Arkansas and LSU will return to the traditional spot on the schedule for the first time since the 2013 season, when the Tigers defeated the Razorbacks, 31-27.
After hosting Texas, LSU begins a two-game road trip, starting in Knoxville against Tennessee. In his first season in Baton Rouge, Lane Kiffin will face two teams he used to coach, Ole Miss (Sept. 19) and UT (Nov. 21) before wrapping up the regular season against Arkansas (Nov. 28).
Following a 7-6 season that included only three wins in the SEC, LSU fired Brian Kelly. That led to one of the craziest coaching moves in SEC history when the Tigers welcomed Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin to take over the same position on the Bayou. While Kiffin’s Rebels made it all the way to the College Football Playoff Semifinals, LSU fell to Houston 38-35 in the Texas Bowl (Dec. 27).
After the Rebels did not allow Kiffin to coach his team in the playoffs after he announced his departure from Oxford, he tried to recruit some of his coaches and players to join him in Baton Rouge. He was successful in adding his offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., who was a big part in Ole Miss’ deep run last season.
While he did not get Trinidad Chambliss to join him, one of the top transfer portal quarterbacks in the country, Sam Leavitt, formerly of Arizona State will get to throw passes to former Florida wideout Eugene Wilson III and behind the top left tackle transfer in the nation, former Colorado left tackle Jordan Seaton. The LSU offense also returns senior center Brain Moore, junior playmaker at tight end Trey’Dez Green, and sophomore right tackle Weston Davis to their offense. Running backs Caden Durham and Harlem Barry will be important to establish the ground game and open up passing lanes for Leavitt.
Like Golesh at Auburn, Kiffin retained defensive coordinator Blake Baker to coach Princewill Umanmielen (9 sacks in 2025) and linebacker TJ Dottery (SEC-leading 98 tackles), who both followed him to LSU. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks, junior cornerback PJ Woodland and safety Tamarcus Cooley will return to play for Baker under Kiffin, forming a unit that could be impressive in 2026. All-American cornerback Mansoor Delane is now playing in the NFL so Woodland and Cooley will have to lead their younger group that will be sitting on the bench.
With LSU back as the final game of the regular season, there should be excitement in Fayetteville when the Tigers come to town for their Saturday after Thanksgiving battle against Arkansas depending on where they are entering the final weekend of the regular season. While I am not confident in Leavitt and the new-look LSU passing attack, I am confident in Weis’ play-calling ability. The Tigers’ defense looks strong and has multiple returners and transfers that are elite. Arkansas will keep this game close in the first half but a turnover by the Razorbacks will help LSU win the Golden Boot Trophy for the fifth consecutive time.
If Kiffin’s first season in the Bayou goes well, the Tigers could be back in the SEC Championship game (Dec. 4) for the first time since 2022. Georgia defeated LSU 37-10 en route to a second consecutive national championship victory.
Carter’s Pick: LSU 31, Arkansas 21
Projected Record: 4-8 (2-7) SEC
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