2025 cbhsports Arkansas Football Preview: Texas A&M, Auburn, Mississippi State

Image Courtesy: Mississippi State

Saturday, October 18
Texas A&M (Family Weekend)
2:30-3:30 PM or 5-7 PM CT
Arkansas looks to change its misfortune against Texas A&M as the matchup returns to Fayetteville for the first time since 2013, following the end of the contract with AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Razorback football alum Jerry Jones. The Razorbacks will attempt to defeat the Aggies for the first time since 2021 and for just the second time since 2011 — when the two teams faced off while Texas A&M was still a member of the Big 12. That 2011 game was also played at AT&T Stadium, with current Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino serving as head coach. Petrino, who was Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator in 2023, will now try to help the Razorbacks avenge last season’s 21–17 loss to the Aggies this fall in Fayetteville.

The Aggies began the 2024 season 7–1 before losing four of their last five games, knocking them out of contention for both the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. One reason they may finish the season stronger than they did last fall is starting quarterback Marcel Reed. He may be the most underrated quarterback in the SEC—and perhaps the nation—after a successful freshman campaign as the primary signal-caller.

Additionally, second-year offensive coordinator Collin Klein added NC State transfer KC Concepcion and Mississippi State transfer Mario Craver to give Reed more reliable targets. Those two receivers should help balance an already impressive running back room that includes Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens, running behind a solid offensive line.

Texas A&M gave up a 17-point lead in a Las Vegas Bowl loss to USC. Head coach Mike Elko voiced his frustration with the secondary during his postgame press conference, leading him to resume defensive play-calling duties for the first time since his days as Duke’s head coach. The secondary will feature returners Will Lee III and Tyreek Chappell, along with transfers Jason Shaw (Washington) and Julian Humphrey (Georgia). The influx of talent should improve an A&M pass defense that ranked 13th in the SEC last season. The pass rush was also underwhelming. Cashius Howell will anchor the group after recording four sacks as a junior. Linebackers Scooby Williams and Taurean York are solid, but the unit as a whole still needs improvement.

That said, Arkansas’ misfortunes against Texas A&M have been well documented. With the game taking place in Fayetteville—whether in the afternoon or under the lights—the Razorbacks should enjoy a strong home-field advantage. Still, it will take more than a loud crowd to beat the Aggies. Arkansas drops another close one, continuing a frustrating trend in this rivalry.

Projected Score: Texas A&M 27, Arkansas 24

Saturday, October 25
Auburn (Military Appreciation)
11 AM-12 PM CT, TBA
Arkansas traveled to Auburn and defeated the Tigers for the second consecutive time at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Razorbacks rarely earn a win—let alone a winning streak—against Auburn on the road, but Sam Pittman’s team accomplished that with victories in 2022 and, as mentioned above, in 2024. However, Hugh Freeze’s Liberty Flames went into Fayetteville and defeated Pittman’s Razorbacks in 2022, a win that helped propel Freeze to the Auburn job that offseason. If Freeze could beat Arkansas with Liberty, his improved Auburn roster should be able to do the same, right?

The Tigers boast a great group of receivers including sophomore Cam Coleman and standout Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton Jr. . They will catch passes from expected starting quarterback Jackson Arnold, who came over from SEC foe Oklahoma in the winter. Several guys will be needed to replace the production of one of the top rushers in the SEC in 2024 Jarquez Hunter. That group will include senior Damari Alston and sophomore Durrell Robinson.

If Hugh Freeze’s offense can use its talented receiver room to bolster its entire offense in 2025, it will be up to the defense to help them potentially get a College Football Playoff appearance. End Kendrick Faulk will look to build on his 7 sack sophomore season with an even better junior season in 2025. There are a lot of questions at linebacker after leading tackler Dorian Mausi Jr. and pass rusher Jalen McLeod both exited the program. The Tiger secondary will return Kaleb Harris, Kayin Lee, Sylvester Smith, and Champ Anthon and adds Miami (OH) transfer Raio Strader, one of the best defensive players in the MAC last season. This group will be important to rely on as the front seven is in transition the first few weeks of the season.

To me, Arkansas must win defeat Auburn to make a bowl, especially on this field. Arkansas’ secondary will be tested against Coleman, and Singleton Jr. down the field. And, to be honest, I do not see that a match up they will win if Arnold can do what I think he can with a much better, healthier offense than the one he had at Oklahoma last fall. Arkansas falls short in a shoot out.

Projected Score: Auburn 35, Arkansas 28

Saturday, November 1
Mississippi State (Homecoming)
2:30-3:30 PM CT, TBA
After a dismal offensive showing in a 7–3 loss to Mississippi State in Fayetteville in 2023, Arkansas bounced back in a big way the following year. With Bobby Petrino returning to Fayetteville as offensive coordinator and Taylen Green taking over at quarterback, the Razorbacks dominated Mississippi State on the road, 58–25, last fall. As a result, this matchup in 2024 becomes a must-win if Arkansas hopes to build bowl momentum with another SEC victory.

However, their poor 2023 performance against the Bulldogs serves as a reminder that, with an offense full of new faces and a defense that lost key contributors, this could still be a competitive game. Green was impressive in the previous meeting, using both his arm and legs to spread the ball to targets like receiver Andrew Armstrong and tight end Luke Hasz in a dominant offensive effort.

The challenge now is that Armstrong is in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, and Hasz transferred to SEC rival Ole Miss. Petrino also lost several other key weapons and will need to rely on new contributors to help Arkansas come out on top. While Green should have settled in with his new targets by November, this remains a crucial game for the Razorbacks.

For Mississippi State, improving on a 2–10 season will be challenging—especially after losing starting quarterback Michael Van Buren to SEC rival LSU. Former Baylor transfer Blake Shapen will take over the offense once again after missing the final eight games of the 2024 season. Year two of the Jeff Lebby era will largely be defined by Shapen’s performance as the Bulldogs aim to return to bowl eligibility for the first time since the late Mike Leach was head coach. His presence will be crucial alongside returning receiver Jordan Mosley, tailback Davon Booth, and tight end Seydou Traore, as they look to build on the downfield passing success Van Buren had last year.

The Bulldogs’ defense struggled mightily in 2024, finishing last in the SEC. A lack of depth on the defensive line and an ineffective pass rush were key contributors to their poor performance. Returning starters—including linebackers Branden Jennings and Nic Mitchell, as well as defensive backs Brylan Lanier, Hunter Washington, and Isaac Smith—will play vital roles in helping the incoming transfers adjust to the system in Starkville.

Lebby’s struggles with roster retention heading into 2025 could benefit Arkansas in this November matchup for both teams. If the Razorbacks lose this game, it could spell the end for Sam Pittman. As mentioned earlier, the disappointment of 2023 still looms large, and if history repeats itself this fall in Fayetteville, Razorback fans may quickly turn their attention to basketball season, which begins just days later. Arkansas defeats Mississippi State by two touchdowns.

Projected Score: Arkansas 35, Mississippi State 21

Projected Record: 4-5 (1-4) SEC