2025 cbhsports Arkansas Football Preview: LSU, Texas, Missouri

Image Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

Saturday, November 15
@ LSU
11 AM-12 PM CT, TBA
Arkansas has not defeated LSU since Sam Pittman’s second season as head coach in 2021. The Tigers dominated the Razorbacks 34-10 last October on their way to a 9-4 season, which concluded with a win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl. Pittman’s only victory over LSU came in ‘Death Valley,’ but this may be Brian Kelly’s strongest team yet in Baton Rouge, in a year when many expect them to reach the College Football Playoff. LSU will face tough opponents in Clemson, Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Alabama before hosting Arkansas. There’s a chance the Tigers could already have a loss or two by then—meaning a defeat in the ‘Battle for the Golden Boot’ might keep them out of the College Football Playoff for a sixth straight season.

So, if Sam Pittman’s job is still secure and LSU comes into the game at 7-2—or even better, 8-1 coming off a win over Alabama—the Tigers could potentially overlook Arkansas. The Razorbacks have taken advantage of LSU multiple times in the past, especially when the Tigers have played them following a matchup with Alabama. However, Garrett Nussmeier, one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC and college football, will look to ensure that doesn’t happen to his team.

LSU may not have full support from its fanbase for a game that kicks off between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. CT, but they’ll certainly have the home-field advantage regardless. Nussmeier will benefit from a strong receiving corps that includes returner Aaron Anderson, Kentucky transfer Barion Brown, and Trey’Dez Green—posing a challenge for a relatively new-look Arkansas secondary. Tailbacks Caden Durham and freshman Harlem Barry lead a young running back room capable of delivering a season-defining performance against an Arkansas defensive line lacking depth. However, with the Tigers losing standout tackle Will Campbell and other key offensive linemen to the NFL, veteran Razorback defensive tackle Cameron Ball must make an impact in the backfield to limit the kind of explosive runs Arkansas fans have grown used to seeing from LSU’s ground game.

Defensively, LSU continues to wait for hybrid linebacker/safety Harold Perkins Jr. to return to the dominant form he showed as a freshman, as he enters his third year in Baton Rouge. Unleashing Perkins alongside fellow junior linebacker Whit Weeks against Arkansas’ improved offensive line could be a matchup that decides the game. The Razorbacks lost by just three points the last time they visited Baton Rouge, but that was with former quarterback KJ Jefferson. Second-year starter Taylen Green will face a less hostile atmosphere in a daytime game at Tiger Stadium, but one that still presents a major test—especially against what should be a revamped LSU defense under coordinator Blake Baker, now in his second season since returning from Missouri.

This game will be won by the team that makes the big plays throughout. With the benefit of playing in the friendly confines of Tiger Stadium, I’ll take LSU to beat Arkansas by a few scores.

Projected Score: LSU 38, Arkansas 21

Saturday, November 22
@ Texas
2:30-3:30 PM or 5-7 PM CT, TBA
At this point, Arkansas’ dominant 40-21 win over Texas in 2021 feels like it happened a decade ago. The Razorbacks’ victory helped Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian realize the need to recruit depth along the offensive line and in the front seven, after Sam Pittman’s team gashed Texas for multiple rushing touchdowns and held standout running back Bijan Robinson in check.

Building off an 8-5 season in 2022, the Longhorns have since made back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinal appearances, proving that Sarkisian can both coach and build a program capable of competing in the rugged SEC. In their first season in the league, Texas lost only to Georgia during the regular season, fell to the Bulldogs again in the SEC Championship in Atlanta, and were eliminated by eventual national champion Ohio State in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl.

When you think of Texas’ 2025 roster, your first thought has to be quarterback Arch Manning, who waited two seasons behind Quinn Ewers—now in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins—to get his shot as the starter. Despite his famous last name, Manning saw limited action during his first two years in Austin. Now, the pressure is on him to deliver alongside a new-look receiving corps that returns only junior Deandre Moore. Manning will look to spread the ball around to Moore, breakout candidate Ryan Wingo, and new starting tight end Jack Endries.

Last fall, expected starting running back CJ Baxter suffered a season-ending injury in camp, but the Longhorns now boast tremendous depth at the position. Baxter will have to compete with Quintrevion Wisner, who turned in a terrific 2024 campaign after stepping up in Baxter’s absence.

The excellence of Sarkisian and his staff extends to the defense. According to Athlon Sports, the Longhorns are expected to have the top defensive line, linebacker, and secondary units in the SEC—an impressive feat in just their second season in the conference. Defensive end Colin Simmons and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. may be the best players at their respective positions in the country, while Malik Muhammad and Jaylon Gulbeau aim to build on their success in the secondary as they enter their third and fourth seasons of college football, respectively.

Arkansas last faced Texas on the road in Austin on September 27, 2008, suffering a brutal 52-10 loss. This year’s matchup may not be that lopsided if Arkansas tailbacks Braylen Russell and Mike Washington Jr. can find running room and create opportunities for quarterback Taylen Green and receivers O’Mega Blake, Raylen Sharpe, and Ismael Cisse. However, if the Razorbacks fail to get going offensively, Texas’ dominant defense will take over. Expect the Longhorns to win big at home over rival Arkansas.

Projected Score: Texas 38, Arkansas 13

Saturday, November 29
Missouri (Senior Day)
6-7 PM CT, TBA
Projected Score:

Arkansas suffered its sixth loss in eight games against Missouri since the two schools became permanent Thanksgiving weekend rivals, following Missouri and Texas A&M’s entry into the SEC after leaving the Big 12. The rivalry has never truly resonated with Arkansas fans, especially after the SEC office took away the annual LSU matchup ahead of the 2014 season and replaced it with Texas A&M.

That said, Arkansas’ lack of success against Missouri has become a concerning trend for the program. The Razorbacks hold a 4–12 all-time record against the Tigers and have only beaten them once under Sam Pittman—in their 9–4 season in 2021. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz, an Arkansas native, has taken joy in poking fun at the Razorbacks in the media, but his 21 wins over the past two seasons have made Arkansas fans recognize just how legitimate of a coach he is. While Arkansas chose Pittman, Drinkwitz left Appalachian State for Missouri—and so far, he’s made the most of that decision.

Drinkwitz has had to rebuild an offense that previously featured program standouts like quarterback Brady Cook and receivers Luther Burden and Theo Wease, all of whom entered the transfer portal. Former Penn State signal-caller Beau Pribula is expected to replace Cook, working alongside Mississippi State transfer Kevin Coleman Jr. and Illinois State transfer Xavier Lloyd at receiver. The Tigers will aim to replicate their 2023 success in the run game—led last season by Cody Schrader—with a new addition many around the program see as a similar player: former ULM tailback Ahmad Hardy, who rushed for 1,351 yards last year. Hardy will run behind an offensive line that includes several talented pieces, including former Oklahoma transfer Cayden Green at left guard and returning center Connor Tollison.

Defensively, the Tigers will look to improve in their second season under coordinator Corey Batoon. They certainly have the personnel to make that leap, with defensive tackle Chris McClellan, linebacker Triston Newson, nickelback Daylen Carnell, cornerbacks Dresden Norwood and Nichols Deloach Jr., and safety Marvin Burns. Razorback fans will also remember UNLV transfer safety Jalen Catalon, who returns to Razorback Stadium for the first time since leaving Arkansas after the 2022 season. The defense also added Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year Josiah Trotter from West Virginia at linebacker.

All that said, this Missouri team will come to Fayetteville ready to hand Arkansas a second consecutive home loss after dominating the Razorbacks 48–14 to end the 2023 season, which capped a disappointing 4–8 campaign for Sam Pittman’s squad. If Arkansas is going to win this game, the first half of the season must go well—because if it doesn’t, it’s hard to imagine Pittman still being around. As a result, it’s difficult not to pick Drinkwitz and Missouri to continue their success against Arkansas.

Projected Score: Missouri 35, Arkansas 31

Final Projected Record: 4-8 (1-7) SEC