2025 cbhsports Arkansas Football Preview: Nonconference Slate

Image Courtesy: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Saturday, August 30
Alabama A&M
3:15 PM CT, SEC Network
If Arkansas wins any football games this fall, it better be their season opener in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks face perhaps their toughest schedule since the 10-game SEC slate in 2020, with matchups against both Memphis (11 wins in 2024) and Notre Dame (the national championship runner-up). Still, they must take it one game at a time, starting with the Bulldogs. Alabama A&M went 6–6 overall and 4–4 in the SWAC in 2024. In-state foe Auburn dominated the Bulldogs 73–3 to open the 2024 campaign, but Alabama A&M’s offense bounced back with four performances of 45 or more points over the rest of the season.

This season, the Bulldogs are under new leadership with head coach Sam Shade taking over the program. Chris Shelling returns as defensive coordinator, a role he previously held from 2018 to 2022. The team’s identity will likely be shaped by Shelling’s defense, but offensively, it will be former UAPB quarterback Mekhi Hagens leading the way. Hagens faced Arkansas to open the 2024 season in a game the Razorbacks won 70–0. He’ll look to rewrite that narrative with a better performance this fall.

Hagens’ top targets include wide receiver Duke Miller and tight end Travaunta Abner, both of whom will play key roles in stretching the field. Defensively, Shelling’s unit must find a way to slow down Bobby Petrino’s high-powered Arkansas offense. This should be a game where the Razorbacks work out early-season kinks with new weapons such as O’Mega Blake and Raylen Sharpe, along with returning running back Braylon Russell.

On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Travis Williams and the Arkansas defense must prove they can contain Alabama A&M’s offense to establish the dominance they’re expected to show in this matchup.

Projected Score: Arkansas 59, Alabama A&M 14

Saturday, September 6
Arkansas State (Little Rock)
4 PM CT, ESPN+/SECN+
Arkansas will face in-state foe Arkansas State for the first time in program history in Week 2. Historically, the Razorbacks do not play against other instate opponents. This is because longtime head football coach and later athletic director Frank Broyles did not want to play these teams because if the Razorbacks lost it would help players instate go to play for A-State or another program instate. The two programs will meet at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium with a lot on the line. The Red Wolves turned in an impressive 8-5 record, losing by only ten points to Michigan but getting blown out by Iowa State. They finished the season with five Sun Belt conference wins before going to Mobile, Alabama to defeat Bowling Green in the 68 Ventures Bowl.

Athlon Sports has predicted the Red Wolves to finish fourth in the Sun Belt West. They return five expected starters—four on offense and just one on defense. Notably, quarterback Jaylen Reagor, tailback Ja’Quez Cross, top receiver Corey Rucker, and Reagor’s blindside protector, left tackle Noah Smith, all return to Jonesboro to anchor the offense. Reagor was outstanding in an MVP performance during the 68 Ventures Bowl win over Bowling Green. Cross racked up 1,341 all-purpose yards as a junior, while Rucker, the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards (3,037), continues to lead the way on the outside. Smith will be tasked with anchoring an offensive line that replaces four starters.

On defense, senior defensive end Bryan Whitehead leads a unit now under the direction of new coordinator Griff McCarley. The Red Wolves will shift to a 4-2-5 scheme and feature a veteran-heavy lineup that includes ten juniors or seniors and just one sophomore. However, because many of these players haven’t held consistent starting roles, it may take a few weeks for the defense to gel.

Arkansas’ offense should capitalize on a defense returning just one starter, especially in the familiar surroundings of their home-away-from-home in Little Rock. The Razorbacks’ revamped defensive line, led by Cam Ball, should be able to pressure Jaylen Reagor and disrupt his ability to connect with Rucker, Hunter Summers, and Chauncy Cobb downfield.

A loss to the Red Wolves could put head coach Sam Pittman’s job in immediate jeopardy. Still, I expect Arkansas to pull away in the second half and defeat their in-state opponent.

Projected Score: Arkansas 42, Arkansas State 21

Saturday, September 20
@ Memphis
TBA, TBA
Arkansas will continue its road trip to Memphis after facing Ole Miss the previous Saturday in Oxford. As mentioned in the Alabama A&M preview, the Tigers won 11 games last fall. They upset Florida State in what turned out to be a disappointing season for the Seminoles, who finished with just two wins. Memphis went on to win six games in the American Athletic Conference and finished ranked in both the AP and Coaches Polls after defeating West Virginia in a high-scoring Frisco Bowl, 42–37.

The expectation is that former Colorado and Nevada quarterback Brendon Lewis will replace Seth Henigan after his impressive run as the Tigers’ starter. Only two of Lewis’ offensive linemen—senior left tackle Chris Adams and sophomore right guard Malachi Breland—return from last season’s starting group. Running back Sutton Smith is back after a knee injury cut short his 2024 season. The backfield will be critical for Memphis, especially with an inexperienced receiving corps that includes transfers CJ Smith (Purdue), Ger-Cari Caldwell (North Carolina A&T), and Jadon Thompson (Louisville).

Defensive end William Whitlow is the lone returning starter from last year’s successful defense. However, the Tigers bolstered their unit through the transfer portal, adding key players like linebacker Everett Roussaw Jr. from conference rival UAB. Senior safety Kourtlan Marsh will lead a veteran secondary.

Like Arkansas State, Memphis lacks returning production, and the Razorbacks must take advantage. The key difference is that this game is outside the state of Arkansas. While technically a road game, the Razorbacks are familiar with Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, having played there twice in the last three seasons—earning wins over Big 12 opponents Kansas and Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl.

This time, however, the environment will be different, with blue and white filling the stands in support of the hometown Tigers. With only one returning starter on the defensive line for Memphis, Arkansas’ depth at running back—featuring Braylen Russell, Mike Washington Jr., and Rodney Hill—needs to shine. If the Razorbacks can secure a win in Memphis, they’ll be well-positioned to face a talented Notre Dame team in Fayetteville the following Saturday.

Projected Score: Arkansas 31, Memphis 28

Saturday, September 27
Notre Dame (Hall of Honor Weekend)
11 AM CT, ABC
For the first time in over a decade, Arkansas will face a new opponent on the last Saturday in September, following the end of its longstanding contract with Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium. Notre Dame comes to Fayetteville after a season that saw the Fighting Irish reach the College Football Playoff National Championship, where they ultimately fell short in a 34–23 loss to Ohio State.

Athlon Sports has predicted the Fighting Irish to make the 12-team College Football Playoff for the second consecutive season. Can they make another run to the national title game? In my opinion, it will come down to whether one of the nation’s top running backs, Jeremiyah Love, can help guide new quarterback CJ Carr through his freshman season.

Jaden Greathouse was a key target for quarterback Riley Leonard during Notre Dame’s playoff run last year, and senior tight end Eli Raridon will look to join the elite lineage of tight ends to come through the program. He’ll line up alongside an offensive line that returns every starter except at right guard.

While the offense returns six starters, the defense brings back fewer. New defensive coordinator Chris Ash takes over for the highly respected Al Golden, who left to join the Cincinnati Bengals. Ash inherits a talented secondary, led by cornerbacks Christian Gray and Leonard Moore, along with safety Adon Shuler. Linebacker Drayk Bowen and defensive end Joshua Burnham are the only returning starters in the front seven.

There’s no doubt this will be Arkansas’ toughest nonconference game, especially after it was announced the game will kick off at 11 a.m. local time rather than in the afternoon or evening. Quarterback Taylen Green must trust new receivers O’Mega Blake, Raylen Sharpe, and others to make plays against Notre Dame’s elite defensive backfield. Meanwhile, Arkansas’ front seven will need to be at its best to contain Jeremiyah Love, the Irish’s top offensive weapon.

The Razorbacks will need to keep the game close into the second half to have a chance at an upset, but I don’t see them knocking off Notre Dame this September.

Projected Score: Notre Dame 38, Arkansas 27

Projected Record: 3-1 (0-0) SEC