Image Courtesy: Arkansas Razorbacks
Friday, December 27
AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Memphis)
Arkansas (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (8-4)
7 PM ET, ESPN
Arkansas plays in the Liberty Bowl for the seventh time with a 3-3 record in the game overall in Memphis. The Razorbacks may be playing with many second and third stringers due to a mass exodus in the transfer portal. But, at least they are playing and are not opting out of this bowl game. These extra weeks of practice help for the 2025 season. The Razorbacks face Texas Tech, an 8-4 team out of the Big 12, who finished tied for the second best record in the league at 6-3. Arkansas leads the all-time series over the Red Raiders 29-8 ahead of their 38th meeting and first in a bowl game. Tech is led by head coach Joey McGuire, who took over in 2022 and has led his team to a 23-15 mark after coming over from rival Baylor, where he served as the associated head coach and coached the defensive line and linebackers. McGuire will put his undefeated record in bowl games on the line tomorrow when facing the Razorbacks, a team he grew up rooting for with season tickets to the games in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium. On December 14th, it was announced Red Raider signal-caller Behren Morton will not play due to getting surgery on his throwing shoulder. It will be true freshman Will Hammond stepping in to lead their offense versus a Razorback defense that will be without defensive ends Landon Jackson, Nico Davillier, linebacker Brad Spence, defensive backs Jaylen Braxton, TJ, and Tevis Metcalf as they head to the NFL Draft or the transfer portal. Hammond will be without leading receiver Micah Hudson, tailback Quinten Joyner, and offensive linemen Kaden Carr, Ty Buchanan, Dalton Merryman, and Garrett Morphis as they exited to the transfer portal. Arkansas’ offense must hope it can get production out of second string playmakers as well but it will have starting quarterback Taylen Green for the showdown against Texas Tech in Memphis as well as for the upcoming 2025 season. Green will look to get the ball down the field to receivers Isaac TeSlaa, former MLB outfielder Monte Harrison, and Dazmin James. TeSlaa joins second string tailback Rodney Hill as the only two guys outside of Green who have played meaningful snaps on the Razorback offense expected to play on Friday night. Braylen Russell, Arkansas’ talented bowling ball running back entered the transfer portal twice before pulling out of it after reconsidering. He returned to bowl practices earlier this week and coach Pittman said he is in Memphis and will get a good load of action. Not having starter Ja’Quinden Jackson and the SEC’s leading receiver Andrew Armstrong as they prepare for the NFL Draft will hurt Sam Pittman’s team as will losing four starters on the offensive line. If Arkansas can keep this game close until the fourth quarter, they have a shot to win but if they can’t, Texas Tech could get a third straight bowl win for head coach Joey McGuire. Projected Score: Texas Tech 38, Arkansas 21
