Image Courtesy: Arkansas Fight
On Thursday, August 21, the SEC officially announced it will move to a nine-game conference football schedule beginning in 2026. That raises the big question: who will our very own Arkansas Razorbacks face three times annually?
Because the Razorbacks already have four non-conference games scheduled, they will have to cancel one to make room for the additional SEC game. Those four matchups are North Alabama at homeon September 5, Utah in Salt Lake City on September 12, Memphis at home on September 19, and Tulsa at home on November 21. Since all SEC teams are required to play a fellow Power 4 opponent or Notre Dame, it’s highly unlikely the Utah game will be canceled. The Memphis game also seems safe, especially after Arkansas travels to play the Tigers this fall on September 20. That leaves the North Alabama and Tulsa games at the top of the list of potential cancellations.
Now, here’s my list of options for Arkansas’ three permanent SEC rivals in the new nine-game schedule. The Razorbacks will face their other six opponents on a rotating basis, ensuring each SEC team plays every other member at least once every two years and home-and-home over a four-year span. Based on history, geography, and league priorities, here are my thoughts on the likelihoodof Missouri, LSU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M being chosen.
Guaranteed
Missouri
After spending the past decade as Arkansas’ permanent Thanksgiving weekend rival, the Tigers are a lock to stay on the list. Arkansas fans may not love it, but Missouri has dominated the series, holding a 9–2 record since joining the SEC. Continuing the rivalry gives Arkansas the chance to start reversing that history.
Likely
LSU
LSU was Arkansas’ permanent Black Friday rival when they joined the SEC in 1991 until Missouri entered the league. Razorback fans love the ‘Battle for the Golden Boot’ Rivalry more than the Tiger fans love their showdowns against Alabama, Ole Miss, or maybe Florida. This may be the reason why the SEC office chooses to move Arkansas away from its history with LSU. The number of options the Tigers have for permanent opponents entering the 2026 season.
Texas
The Longhorns are almost a lock to make the Razorbacks’ permanent list to me based on how SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey views the history of this rivalry. The important Southwest Conference battles of the 1960s and 1970s to how Arkansas defeated them in the 2014 Texas Bowl, 31-7 and welcomed them to the SEC back in 2021 with a 40-21 win. If Texas is not on Arkansas’ three permanent rivalries, at least they’ll see each other every other season.
Potential
Ole Miss
Outside of Arkansas’ ‘traditional’ rivals, Ole Miss has to be Arkansas’ best foe. The cultures are similar in Fayetteville and Oxford and the crazy memories from the ‘Hunter Heave’ game in 2015 that went seven overtimes, Arkansas’ crazy 30-point comeback in 2017, and the back and forth matchups between Sam Pittman and Lane Kiffin’s teams since both coaches took over their respective programs in 2020. If the Rebels end up on the Razorbacks’ permanent list, I would not be surprised, but if they end up on LSU’s or another rival, I would not be shocked either.
Oklahoma
While Arkansas and Oklahoma’s football history is limited, their campuses are the closest in the SEC—just 239 miles apart. That proximity makes for a natural rivalry fans would embrace, with reasonable travel for both sides. Combine that with recent basketball matchups between the schools, and an annual football series could quickly grow into something special.
Texas A&M
Since joining the SEC in 2012, the Aggies have had Arkansas’ number, posting a 12–1 record. While that history could make them a natural rival, I don’t see the SEC locking Arkansas into two Texas opponents (alongside Texas). The league office likely pushes A&M elsewhere.
My Picks
If I had my way, the Razorbacks would draw LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas.
My Prediction
When the dust settles, though, I believe Arkansas’ three permanent opponents will be Ole Miss, Missouri, and Texas. I originally had LSU and still think they could make Arkansas’ permanent list, but for my list for the entire conference to workout, I don’t have the Tigers with the Razorbacks.
Based on that, here are my final picks for the three squads each SEC team will play annually on the gridiron:
Alabama – Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee
Arkansas – Ole Miss, Missouri, Texas
Auburn – Alabama, Georgia, Vanderbilt
Florida – Georgia, LSU, Tennessee
Georgia – Auburn, Florida, South Carolina
Kentucky – Mississippi State, South Carolina, Vanderbilt
LSU – Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M
Ole Miss – Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State
Mississippi State – Alabama, Kentucky, Ole Miss
Missouri – Arkansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina
Oklahoma – Missouri, Texas, Texas A&M
South Carolina – Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri
Tennessee – Alabama, Florida, Vanderbilt
Texas – Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M
Texas A&M – LSU, Oklahoma, Texas
Vanderbilt – Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee
