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Image Courtesy: LSU Athletics

Saturday, October 5
Tennessee
3:30-8 PM ET, TBA
Arkansas has defeated Tennessee three consecutive times, winning over the Volunteers in 2011, 2015, and 2020. Since the two teams ended their time as permanent cross division rivals, the Razorbacks have dominated the series against the Volunteers. Outside of the Razorbacks’ run with Bobby Petrino (2008-2012) and the Vols’ run with Josh Heupel (2021-), both programs have been up and down this century. In their last match up in 2020, Arkansas’ defense got into the Volunteer backfield time and time again on their way to a dominant 24-13 win in Fayetteville. Tennessee again heads on the road for this early October match up with former five-star QB (redshirt freshman) Nico Iamaleava behind center. He takes the reins of Josh Heupel’s high-powered offense after playing in four games in a redshirt season in 2023. Talented receivers (senior) Bru McCoy and (junior) Squirrel White next to Tulane transfer sophomore Chris Brazzell II. The running back duo of Dylan Sampson and Cameron Seldon will comfort Iamaleava on the road behind an offensive line that returns four seniors; Cooper Mays, Javontez Spraggins, John Champell Jr., and Andrej Karic. On defense, junior defensive end James Pearce Jr. may be the most underrated player in the country entering the fall. Pearce joins senior nose tackle Omari Thomas and senior defensive tackle Bryson Eason as the lone returning starters on that side of the ball. The defensive line is definitely strong with the aforementioned Pearce, Thomas, Eason, and new starter Tyre West. Sophomore Arion Carter and senior Keenan Pill will be the new starters at linebacker while there will also be many new names in the secondary for the Vols. Former Oregon State cornerback Jermod McCoy, former Temple cornerback Jalen McMurray, and former Middle Tennessee safety Jakobe Thomas are all expected to start. Bobby Petrino’s passing offense can take advantage of the Vols’ back end group with Petrino’s knowledge of how to get his receivers open so easily. With former Tennessee center Addison Nichols and nickleback Doniko Slaughter, the Arkansas Razorbacks will upset the Tennessee Volunteers. Projected Score: Arkansas 38, Tennessee 34

Saturday, October 19
LSU (Homecoming)
6-8 PM ET, TBA
For the first time ever, the Razorbacks will face LSU on Arkansas soil not in the month of November. The Razorbacks and the Tigers have played some close battles of late, including a 34-31 win for LSU in Baton Rouge in 2023. With Nick Saban retired, Brian Kelly is the clear second best coach in the SEC behind Georgia’s Kirby Smart. He retooled his defensive coaching staff after a dismal showing from that side of the ball last fall, replacing fired defensive coordinator Matt House with Missouri’s Blake Baker. With former Tiger QB Jayden Daniels now with the Washington Commanders after they selected him with the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and receivers Malik Nabers (sixth pick to the New York Giants) and Brian Thomas (twenty third overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars). Grant Nussmeier replaces Daniels with some starting experience, including success in a loss against Georgia in the 2022 SEC Championship Game and in a victory over Wisconsin ReliaQuest Bowl. Tremendous tight end Mason Taylor returns for his third year and receiver Kyren Lacy returns for his fourth year as targets for Nussmeier. Could Lacy be in for a year similar to Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas next year? If Nussmeier can get the ball to him consistently, it very well could happen. Nussmeier will play behind an experienced offensive line that returns junior left tackle Will Campbell, senior left guard Garrett Dellinger, senior right guard Miles Frazier, and junior right tackle Emery Jones Jr. Arkansas’ defensive line, led by defensive end Landon Jackson, can take advantage of a new LSU running back room including senior Josh Williams and sophomore Kaleb Johnson. With junior Harold Perkins Jr. slated at linebacker instead of at defensive end, LSU’s defense can be better than it was in 2023. Next to Perkins, senior defensive end Sai’vion Jones, senior inside linebacker Greg Penn III, and senior STAR Major Burns return. If this defense shines, LSU can finally make a College Football Playoff under Kelly. If not, hard questions need to be asked in Baton Rouge. As I said earlier, the Razorbacks always play the Tigers close. But, the Tigers have too much talent. Projected Score: LSU 38, Arkansas 27

Saturday, October 26
@ Mississippi State
12-1 PM ET, TBA
By the time the clock hits triple zeroes of Arkansas’ trip to Starkville against Mississippi State in late October, memories of the 2023 game between the two schools that resulted in a 7-3 Bulldog win, should be put in the rearview mirror. As Jeff Lebby returns to the state of Mississippi to coach the Bulldogs instead of call plays for Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels, points should come in waves in year 1 of his tenure. Arkansas’ explosive returning offense with quarterback Taylen Green, tailback Ja’Quiden Jackson, and a group of receiving targets returning (Andrew Armstrong, Isaiah Sategna, Tyrone Broden, Isaac TeSlaa, and Luke Hasz) will help Mississippi State show both fanbases that offense has returned to this series. The Bulldogs return only two starters (both on defense) from last season next to what Lebby’s coaching staff adding their transfer portal additions. Lebby hand picked former Baylor signal caller Blake Shapen (2,188 yards and 13 passing TDs in 2022) to take over his offense in his senior year. Bulldog veteran Jordan Mosely will play his first season as a starter at wideout next to former UTEP Miner Kelly Akharaiyi, and former Louisville Cardinal Kevin Coleman. Former Arkansas offensive line coach Cody Kennedy was hired by Jeff Lebby. Kennedy’s line is full of veterans, including junior left tackle Makylan Pounders, junior left guard Jacoby Jackson, senior center Ethan Miner, junior right guard Albert Reese IV, and junior right tackle Leon Bell. It will be up to the Arkansas defensive line to sack Blake Shapen to help them win this game. The Mississippi State defense lost the SEC’s top two leading tacklers the last two years in linebackers Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson to the pros as well as defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy and cornerback Decamerion Robinson. Defensive linemen De’Monte Russell and Deonte Anderson, returning linebacker John Lewis and former South Carolina linebacker Stone Blanton, and defensive backs Corey Ellington and Issac Smith to try to stop what should be a much more exciting Arkansas offense under Bobby Petrino. Arkansas must win this game to make a bowl game this fall. Projected Score: Arkansas 31, Mississippi State 24

Projected Record: 5-4 (2-3) SEC

Image Courtesy: Sporting News

Back in April, 247sports reporter Brandon Marcello reported that a proposed college football super league was being discussed by leaders throughout the country. Per sportico, the league would look like this:
70 teams in ten divisions (or conferences)
10 teams in “Under League” (another version of the current Group of Five)
14-game regular season
16-team College Football Playoff with the ability to expand to 24 teams
“Spring festival” with 40 games in April
NIL Salary Cap
Players paid via TV money distribution
85-man roster with 70 scholarships
Can sign 10 transfers per window
Players can transfer twice in 5-year window

The divisions in the league would look like this:
Midwest
Cincinnati
Illinois
Indiana
Louisville
Michigan
Michigan State
Missouri
Northwestern
Ohio State
Purdue

Northeast
Boston College
Maryland
Notre Dame
Penn State
Pittsburgh
Rutgers
Syracuse
Virginia
Virginia Tech
West Virginia

Plains
BYU
Colorado
Iowa
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Minnesota
Nebraska
Utah
Wisconsin

Southwest
Arkansas
Baylor
Houston
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
SMU
Texas
Texas A&M
TCU
Texas Tech

West
Arizona
Arizona State
California
Oregon
Oregon State
Stanford
UCLA
USC
Washington
Washington State

South
Alabama
Auburn
Georgia
Georgia Tech
Kentucky
LSU
Ole Miss
Mississippi State
Tennessee
Vanderbilt

Southeast
Central Florida (UCF)
Clemson
Duke
Florida
Florida State
Miami
North Carolina
North Carolina State
South Carolina
Wake Forest

Under League Division
Boise State
James Madison
Liberty
Miami (OH)
New Mexico State
Toledo
Troy
Tulane
UNLV
UTSA

Check out how The Athletic thinks their proposed super league would’ve looked like last season.

College football is turning into the NFL.

Image Courtesy: Arkansas Razorbacks

Saturday, September 21
@ Auburn
3:30-8 PM ET, TBA
Auburn came to Fayetteville last November and dominated Arkansas by a score of 48-10. A week later, the Tigers fell to New Mexico State before losing on 4th and 31 to Alabama in the final seconds on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The point is, Hugh Freeze’s team was very up and down in his first season in Auburn that resulted in a 6-7 record. Freeze’s 2022 Liberty team also went to Fayetteville and beat the Razorbacks. However, he lost his last two games against Arkansas as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. After Auburn had the worst passing offense in the SEC last season (162.2 yards per game), former Michigan State QB Payton Thorne returns for a second year in Freeze’s system next to incoming five-star freshman receiver Cam Coleman, who starred this spring. Productive running back Jarquez Hunter returns for his senior year. Behind Hunter, Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb provide great depth. Half of Auburn’s offensive line returns, making this offense look very comfortable headed into 2024. If Payton Thorne is improved and is able to get the ball out to his receivers even better than he did in Auburn’s drubbing of Arkansas in 2023, the Tigers can definitely get another win over the Razorbacks. Freeze replaced fired defensive coordinator Ron Roberts with former Texas A&M defensive coordinator DJ Durkin. They did lose a few pieces to the NFL draft but five defensive starters return for the Tigers including sophomore defensive end Keldric Faulk, senior nose tackle Jayson Jones, senior buck Jalen McLeod, senior linebacker Eugene Asante, and senior cornerback Keionte Scott. There will be less familiarity on the defensive side of the ball with a new playcaller and less returners but a talent uptick with incoming transfers Gage Keys, Trill Carter, Philip Blidi, Isaiah Raikes, and Keyon Crawford should make Auburn fans excited. The last time Arkansas played on “The Plains”, KJ Jefferson led the Razorbacks to a 41-27 win. However, Arkansas’ new group of starters on both sides of the ball will make their trip to a raucous Jourdan-Hare Stadium crowd even tougher to play against. Projected Score: Auburn 35, Arkansas 28

Saturday, September 28
Texas A&M (Arlington)
3:30-4:30 PM ET, TBA
I’m sure every college football fan has at least heard of Texas A&M’s dominance of Arkansas since joining the Razorbacks in the SEC. In their last 11 match-ups, the Aggies have won 10 games while the Razorbacks have just won one (2021). Arkansas has held the lead at halftime in many of these games, making Razorback fans shriek. The last scheduled “Southwest Classic” game in Arlington at AT&T Stadium should be a treat in the afternoon window, as announced on SEC Network on June 14th. Fans should be excited to see this series return to College Station and Fayetteville (where the game will be played in the fall of 2025). A&M replaced head coach Jimbo Fisher with his former defensive coordinator, Duke head coach Mike Elko, who has reenergized the program with offensive coordinator hire Collin Klein (who replaces Bobby Petrino who is now back as the offensive coordinator at Arkansas) and defensive coordinator hire Jay Bateman. Klein was a fantastic college quarterback at Kansas State, where he was previously the offensive coordinator while Bateman was the inside linebackers coach at Florida. Aggie signal-caller Connor Weigman has been in and out of the lineup during his two seasons as the starting quarterback. Being coached by Bobby Petrino last season, Weigman starred in his offense last fall before a season ending injury against the Razorbacks in Arlington. Losing receivers Ainias Smith (graduation) and Evan Stewart (transfer to Oregon) will be difficult but Jahdae Walker, Moose Muhammad, and Noah Thomas are a veteran group that will be tough to defend against Arkansas’ new secondary group. Rueben Owens and Le’Veon Moss are competing to be the new starting tailback behind an offensive line that returns just one new starter, sophomore center Mark Nabou Jr.. Losing star defensive lineman Walter Nolen to Ole Miss is difficult but with Elko back as head coach, the guy who originally recruited the tremendously talented class of 2022, including senior defensive tackle Shemar Turner, who passed on the NFL this past April. Next to Turner is former Purdue defensive end (junior) Nic Scourton, sophomore defensive tackle DJ Hick and defensive end Shemar Stewart. The Aggie defense causes everyone fits so it will be up to former Aggie offensive play caller Bobby Petrino to help his offense against Elko’s talented defensive unit. This will be another close game in the “Southwest Classic” series but Texas A&M wins. Projected Score: Texas A&M 28, Arkansas 24

Projected Record: 3-3 (0-2) SEC

Image Courtesy: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Thursday, August 29
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Little Rock)
7:30 PM ET, ESPNU
Arkansas will open the season in Little Rock for the second consecutive season. The Razorbacks will play the Golden Lions in Arkansas’ capital city for the second time in four seasons. The Razorbacks defeated UAPB 45-3 back on October 23, 2021 at War Memorial Stadium on their way to a 9-4 season. UAPB struggled to a 2-9 (1-7) SWAC record in 2023. Their 2023 performance included eight double digit losses and just two wins, both by one point. Three of the Golden Lions’ first four games are against Arkansas teams on Arkansas soil, first against the Razorbacks in Little Rock before returning to Pine Bluff on September 7 and Central Arkansas on September 21. The Razorbacks are the only Power 4 team UAPB will play before opening SWAC play at Alcorn State on October 5. In 2023, the Golden Lions’ offense combined for just 11 passing touchdowns, with junior QB Daemon Dawkins and sophomore QB Jalen Macon leading throwing four touchdowns each. Tailback Johness Davis enters his another season in Pine Bluff after rushing for a team leading 377 yards and a touchdown last season. Arkansas’ veteran defensive line, led by Landon Jackson, can take advantage of a majorly younger group for UAPB in the backfield. Junior receiver Kenji Lewis (429 yards and 3 TDs) and senior receiver Maurice Lloyd (198 yards and 1 TD) will challenge a relatively new secondary for the Razorbacks. Junior linebacker Rico Dozier easily led the Golden Lions with 62 tackles and 1 forced fumble in 2023. He will look to stop Razorback QB Taylen Green, running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, receiver Andrew Armstrong, and tight end Luke Hasz. If Arkansas does not win this game by twenty plus points, I will be surprised even with the lack of inspired play to end the 2023 season. This is a new Razorback team and they will take down UAPB. Projected Score: Arkansas 52, UAPB 6

Saturday, September 7
@ Oklahoma State
12 PM ET, ABC
In what will be Arkansas’ first game on ABC in a decade, Arkansas heads to Boone-Pickens Stadium to face Oklahoma State, a team that appeared in last season’s Big 12 title game. The last time Arkansas played on ABC, they crushed a Patrick Mahomes’ led Texas Tech team 49-28 in Lubbock. The Cowboys went 10-4 (7-2) Big 12 in 2023, headlined by a a three point win in the the final Bedlam game versus Oklahoma before they join Arkansas in the SEC on July 1. They finished the season with a win against another SEC team, defeating Texas A&M 31-23 in the Texas Bowl after Texas dominated the Cowboys in the Big 12 Championship game, 49-21. Oklahoma State has succeeded in recent years in the Big 12 under long time head coach Mike Gundy but a 33-7 loss to South Alabama last fall made fans and local and national media question the Cowboys early last season. Alan Bowman returns for his final year of eligibility next to Ollie Gordon II (1,732 yards, 21 TDs in 2023), arguably the best running back in the country. Gordon will be backed up by former Arkansas running back AJ Green, who played great in spots as a back up to Dominique Johnson and Rocket Sanders during his time in Fayetteville. The trio of veteran receivers Bowman has is Brennan Presley, Rashod Owens, and De’Zhaun Stribling make things that much easier for the signal caller. It will be up to a group of younger defensive backs. The Cowboys clearly have the advantage against Travis Williams’ defense that does not have many returning starters but that may not matter if Bobby Petrino can get the Razorback offense going and turn this game into a shootout. OSU’s defense must be better than it was a season ago if they want to return to the Big 12 Championship with a more competitive league in 2024. Linebacker Nick Martin accumulated 140 tackles as a freshman, earning All-Big 12 honors while safetuies Kendal Daniels and Trey Rucker both got over 100 tackles. They will be challenged by a new look Razorback offense that is looking to improve on a dismal season for the Razorbacks in 2023. Arkansas needs to win this game if Sam Pittman wants to keep his job but I don’t think they will do it on the road against one of the best programs in the Big 12. Projected Score: Oklahoma State 34, Arkansas 24

Saturday, September 14
Alabama-Birmingham (UAB)
4:15 PM ET, SECN
Arkansas’ first game in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in 2024 will be against the UAB Blazers, who enter their second season in the American Athletic Conference. Former NFL QB and longtime ESPN‘s Sunday NFL Countdown analyst Trent Dilfer also enters his second season with the Blazers. UAB went 4-8 overall in Dilfer’s first season but grabbed three of their wins against conference competition in their first season in the AAC. The last and only time Arkansas faced UAB, they dominated the Blazers 45-17 in 2014. A decade later, the the Razorbacks welcome the Blazers back to Fayetteville for a mid-September match-up. Trent Dilfer’s quarterback expertise from his time coaching at Elite 11 camp. Jacob Zeno stepped in as quarterback in year 1 under the new coaching staff, learning from Dilfer. He threw for 3,126 yards, 20 touchdown passes, and nine interceptions last fall. No starting receivers return to Birmingham so senior TJ Jones will need to lead the room in his first season as a permanent starter while tailback Isaiah Jacobs will balance the offense out. The Blazers’ defense put a lot of pressure on their offense, giving up almost 37 points a game in 2023. Outside of Alabama State transfer safety Adrian Maddox, UAB’s secondary is unproven and will be a weak point again for Dilfer’s team in 2024. This game should give new Razorback quarterback Taylen Green the opportunity to air it out to many different receivers, including Andrew Armstrong, Isaiah Sategna, Tyrone Broden, Isaac TeSlaa, former MLB outfielder Monte Harrison, and tight end Luke Hasz. Arkansas is normally challenged by quarterback friendly systems however defensive coordinator Travis Williams’ scheme of rushing the passer aggressively could improve Arkansas’ results on that side of the ball in these nonconference games and the results of SEC games, too. Projected Score: Arkansas 45, UAB 17

Saturday, November 23
Louisiana Tech (Senior Day; Military Appreciation Game)
TBA, ESPN+/SECN+
Another team that struggled during their 2023 season that Arkansas faces this fall is Louisiana Tech, who won three games overall, going 2-6 in Conference USA. Like many other SEC squads, the Razorbacks will now play against a Group of 5 opponent the second to last Saturday of the regular season. Arkansas dispatched another Conference USA member in that spot last season, FIU, on their way to a 4-8 record overall. Louisiana Tech is one of the only veteran schools still in the Conference USA that has not been poached by the American Athletic Conference, like UAB was just a year ago. Now, for their football team, Jack Turner emerged as the expected starting signal-caller for the Bulldogs last season, playing eight games. Turner threw five touchdowns and five picks in relief of last year’s starter Hank Bachmeier. Junior running back Marquis Crosby, senior right guard Jerren Gilbert, and senior left guard Bert Hale will look to comfort Turner, and other new starters in junior Solo Lewis, sophomore Marlion Jackson, senior Abdul-Fatal Ibrahim, senior tight end Nate Jones, junior left tackle Kenneth Bannister, junior center Landon Nelson, and junior right tackle Brett Canis. Arkansas’ defense might’ve been able to take chances against this Louisiana Tech offense with a lack of returning playmakers at the beginning of the season but because this game is on November 23rd, Travis Williams’ unit will have to settle in before truly taking advantage of the weaknesses of the opposing offense. The Bulldog defense allowed over 33 points a game and returning only three starters will likely mean things may not be much better this fall. Senior defensive end Mykol Clark, junior defensive end J’Dan Burnett, and senior cornerback Cedric Woods will lead this defense against a Razorback team that may have an interim head coach if Sam Pittman fails to win the first half of the season. No matter what, the Arkansas offense is talented and they will want to score in bunches so they can win this game. Arkansas defeated Louisiana Tech 21-20 back in 2016 so the Bulldogs will be looking to avenge that close defeat when they come into Fayetteville as the end of the regular season nears. Projected Score: Arkansas 42, Lousiana Tech 10

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

Image Courtesy: The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Sam Pittman’s job will be on the line when the Razorbacks’ season begins in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium on Thursday, August 29th against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. With the infamous Bobby Petrino now back in Fayetteville next to Pittman as his offensive coordinator, the Razorbacks offense is expected to be much better than it was in 2023 under Dan Enos. With multi-year Razorbacks (QB) KJ Jefferson (UCF) and (RB) Rocket Sanders (South Carolina) transferred out, and with former Boise State QB Taylen Green and former Utah RB Ja’Quinden Jackson replacing them, the Arkansas offense moves on with one of the most experienced receiving cores in the SEC back in the fold. It will be up to the the hiring of new offensive line coach Eric Mateos to improve the worst unit on the the 2023 Razorback football team. On the other side of the ball, Arkansas lost many defenders to the transfer portal. Pittman and defensive coordinator Travis Williams remedied that by landing depth at linebacker and in the secondary. Arkansas’ special teams lost an important piece in kicker Cam Little, who has moved onto the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. So questions need to be answered there. Can Arkansas football turn it around in 2024 or will Sam Pittman will be fired? We will find ojt those answers this fall.

Multiple Game Previews (to be hyperlinked when each post is published)
6/22 UAPB, Oklahoma State, UAB, Louisiana Tech
6/29 Auburn, Texas A&M
7/13 Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State
7/20 Ole Miss, Texas, Missouri

Projected Depth Chart

QB
Starter
Taylen Green, Junior (RS)
Bench
Malachi Singleton, Freshman (RS)
KJ Jackson, Freshman
Austin Ledbetter, Freshman (RS)
Blake Boda, Freshman (RS)
With KJ Jefferson out, Bobby Petrino quickly filled his spot with Taylen Green, the former Boise State signal-caller. Green struggled with turning the ball over but did lead the Broncos to a Mountain West Championship over former Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom and UNLV. Green quickly turned heads in Fayetteville, being named the starting quarterback by Pittman and Petrino leading up to the spring game. He impressed in the spring game, throwing multiple touchdowns and showing his acumen on the ground with former Razorback QB Matt Jones like size. Behind Green, there is a lot of inexperience in the quarterback room. Second year Malachi Singleton looks like the clear second option behind Taylen while freshman KJ Jackson from Alabama, former Razorback pitcher Austin Ledbetter, and former Coastal Carolina QB Blake Boda fill out the rest of the room.

RB
Starter
Ja’Quinden Jackson, Senior
Bench
Rashod Dubinion, Junior
Braylen Russell, Freshman
Rodney Hill, Junior (RS)
Tyrell Reed, Junior
Jadan Baugh, Freshman
After talented recruiter and running backs coach Jimmy Smith exited Arkansas to go to TCU for the same job, Ja’Quinden Jackson emerged as the starting tailback for the Razorbacks after transferring from a respected Utah program coached by Kyle Whittingham. Jackson’s 2023 season was riddled with injuries but in 2022, Jackson had an incredible 2022 season. Arkansas lost four year running back Dominique Johnson to TCU and one year Isaiah Augustave to Colorado after Jackson proved himself as the starter during the spring. Second string running back Rashod Dubinion told Razorback fans that he would never enter the transfer portal, proving his loyalty to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Tremendous freshman running back Braylen Russell should be third string while new running backs coach Kolby Smith landed veteran transfers Rodney Hill from Florida State and Tyrell Reed from Hutchinson Community College. With freshman Jadan Baugh in the fold too, the post coach Jimmy Smith era of the Razorback running back room will begin.

WR
Starters
Slot: Isaiah Sategna, Sophomore (RS)
Outside: Andrew Armstrong, Super Senior (RS)
Outside: Tyrone Broden, Super Senior (RS)
Bench
Isaac TeSlaa, Super Senior
Jaedon Wilson, Junior (RS)
Bryce Stephens, Junior (RS)
Jaedon Wilson, Junior (RS)
Monte Harrison, Freshman
Khafre Brown, Junior
Jordan Anthony, Sophomore
Dazmin James, Sophomore
CJ Brown, Freshman
Arkansas returns almost all of its receiving production from a season ago with elite offensive mind Bobby Petrino back in Fayetteville. Petrino knows how to get receivers open and Sam Pittman should let him have full control of the offense so that he can get his receivers wide open for Taylen Green to hit down the field. Andrew Armstrong, who led the team in receiving yards and TDs in 2023, Tyrone Broden, Isaiah Sategna, Isaac TeSlaa, Jaedon Wilson, Bryce Stephens, and Dazmin James all back in Fayetteville for another season, the Razorbacks should be able to get the ball down the field unlike they were last season. Petrino also helped Arkansas land former Texas A&M receiver Jordan Anthony, former South Florida receiver Khafre Brown, and former MLB outfielder Monte Harrison for depth at this position too.

TE
Starter
Luke Hasz, Sophomore
Bench
Tyrus Washington, Sophomore (RS)
Francis Sherman, Super Senior
Var’Keyes Gumms, Junior (RS)
Shamar Easter, Freshman (RS)
Luke Hasz was on his way to a terrific freshman campaign in 2023 before getting injured in Arlington against Texas A&M. With Bobby Petrino as his offensive coordinator, Hasz has a chance to be an All-SEC tight end for the Razorbacks next to a veteran receiving core. Former North Texas transfer Var’Keyes Gumms, Tyrus Washington, Francis Sherman, and Shamar Easter serve as great depth behind Hasz as both blockers and receiving options.

OL
Starters
LT: Fernando Carmona, Junior (RS)
LG: Brady Latham, Super Senior (RS)
OC: Addison Nichols, Sophomore (RS)
RG: Joshua Braun, Senior (RS)
RT: Keyshawn Blackstock, Junior (RS)
Bench
Joe More, Senior (RS)
Andrew Chamblee, Sophomore (RS)
Cole Carson, Junior (RS)
Patrick Kutas, Junior
Amaury Wiggins, Junior (RS)
Josh Street, Junior (RS)
Patrick Kutas, Sophomore
Ty’Kieast Crawford, Super Senior
Paris Patterson, Freshman (RS)
Terry Wells, Junior (RS)
E’Marion Harris, Sophomore (RS)
Zuri Madison, Freshman
Kobe Branham, Freshman
With former Arkansas grad assistant and Baylor offensive line coach Eric Mateos replacing Cody Kennedy as the offensive coordinator, vast improvement must be made for the Razorbacks to take a step forward from their 4-8 campaign a season ago. With Beaux Limmer being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, San José State transfer Fernando Carmona is slated to take over as left tackle, former Tennessee Volunteer Addison Nichols is expected to be in the middle at center, and Michigan State transfer Keyshawn Blackstock will likely be at right tackle. Left guard Brady Latham and right guard Joshua Braun should start in his second season since transferring from Florida.

DL
Starters
DE: Landon Jackson, Senior
DT: Cam Ball, Junior (RS)
DT: Eric Gregory, Senior (RS)
DE: Anton Juncaj, Junior
Bench
Nico Davillier, Junior
Danny Saili, Junior
JJ Hollingsworth, Sophomore (RS)
Ian Geffrard, Freshman (RS)
Kavion Henderson, Freshman
Charleston Collins, Freshman
The Razorback defensive line lost a ton of top end depth following the 2023 season. However, when pre-season All-SEC defensive end Landon Jackson announced he would return for his senior season, Arkansas had a cornerstone they could build around on defense. Anton Juncaj, a star at Albany, then announced his transfer commitment to Arkansas, joining Cam Ball and Eric Gregory on the defensive line. Nico Davilier and Danny Saili will be quality veteran depth but it will be up to younger players like JJ Hollingsworth, Ian Geffrard, Kavion Henderson, and Charleston Collins to make this group look excellent on the field this fall.

LB
Starters
Xavian Sorey, Sophomore (RS)
Brad Spence, Sophomore
Bench
Stephen Dix Jr., Junior (RS)
Anthony Switzer, Junior
Larry Worth III, Junior
Kaden Henley, Sophomore (RS)
Alex Sanford, Sophomore
Carson Dean, Freshman (RS)
Bradley Shaw, Freshman
Justin Logan, Freshman
Wyatt Simmons, Freshman
A big judgement of second year defensive coordinator Travis Williams will be how his linebacker room is after they lost Chris Paul Jr. (Ole Miss) and Jaheim Thomas (Wisconsin) to transfer and Antonio Grier, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Georgia transfer Xavian Sorey is a huge addition to help replace Paul and Thomas’ impressive production. Beyond that, returning sophomore Brad Spence showed flashes of great play during his freshman season while incoming transfers Stephen Dix Jr., Larry Worth, and Anthony Switzer are huge depth additions.

Secondary
Starters
CB: Jaylon Braxton, Sophomore
CB: Kee’yon Stewart, Senior
FS: Hudson Clark, Super Senior (RS)
SS: Jayden Johnson, Senior
NB: Doneiko Slaughter, Senior
Bench
AJ Brathwaite Jr., Senior (RS)
Miguel Mitchell, Junior
TJ Metcalf, Sophomore
Dylan Hasz, Sophomore
RJ Johnson, Freshman (RS)
Dallas Young, Freshman (RS)
Selman Bridges, Freshman
Jaden Allen, Freshman
Tevis Metcalf, Freshman
Ahkari Johnson, Freshman
If Jaylon Braxton’s phenomenal freshman season continues into his sophomore year, I expect good things from the cornerbacks even after losing Dwight McGlothern signing with the Minnesota Vikings and and Alfahiym Walcott with the Buffalo Bills. Hudson Clark and Jayden Johnson both return at safety along with the addition of veteran Tennessee nickleback Doneiko Slaughter. Senior AJ Brathwaite Jr., sophomore TJ Metcalf, and high-end four-star cornerback Selman Bridges are names to watch as the season goes along to play game time in the SEC.

Special Teams
Starters
Kicker: Matthew Shipley, Super Senior
Punter: Devin Bale, Junior
Kick-Off: Tyler Larco, Senior (RS)
Long Snapper: Eli Stein, Junior
Kick Returner: Isaiah Sategna, Sophomore
Punt Returner: Isaiah Sategna, Sophomore
Special teams coordinator Scott Fountain must replace the best kicker in school history Cam Little, after he was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former Hawaii Rainbow Warrior Matthew Shipley will look to replace him. Punter Max Fletcher transferred to Cincinnati after an up and down 2023 season so Devin Bale will likely step into that spot. It will be Tyler Larco on kick-off, Eli Stein, and the speedy Isaiah Sategna returning kicks and punts for the Razorbacks.

Incoming 2024 Class (via 247sports)
94.Charleston Collins (#18DL) Little Rock, AR Wilbur D. Mills HS
101.Bradley Shaw (#8LB) Hoover, AL Hoover HS
111.Selman Bridges (#10CB) Temple, TX Lake Belton HS
KJ Jackson (#15QB) Montgomery, AL St. James School
Braylen Russell (#24RB) Benton, AR Benton HS
Kavion Henderson (#44DL) Leeds, AL Leeds HS
Justin Logan (#42LB) Marietta, GA Kell HS
Tevis Metcalf (#44ATH) Pinson, AL Clay-Chakville HS
Julius Pope (#45ATH) Batesville, MS South Panola HS
CJ Brown (#95ATH) Bentonville, AR Bentonville HS
Zuri Madison (#38IOL) Lexington, KY Frederick Douglass HS
Wyatt Simmons (#54LB) Searcy, AR Harding Academy
Jaden Allen (#91CB) Aledo, TX Aledo HS
Ahkhari Johnson (#95CB) Texarkana, TX Pleasant Grove HS
Kobe Branham (#100IOL) Fortsmith, AR Southside HS
Jeremy Cook (#162S) Hoover, AL Hoover HS
Krosse Johnson (WR) New Orleans, LA Holy Cross HS
Monte Harrison (WR) Lee’s Summit, MO Lee’s Summit West HS (Walk-On)

Transfer Additions (via 247sports)
60.RB Ja’Quinden Jackson, Senior Previous School: Utah
121.LB Xavian Sorey, Sophomore (RS) Previous School: Georgia
131.DE Anton Juncaj, Junior Previous School: Albany
241.OG Addison Nichols, Sophomore (RS) Previous School: Tennessee
310.Keyshawn Blackstock, Junior (RS) Previous School: Michigan State
328.OT Fernando Carmona, Junior (RS) Previous School: San José State
568.QB Taylen Green, Junior (RS) Previous School: Boise State
594.CB Doneiko Slaughter, Super Senior Previous School: Tennessee
647.WR Jordan Anthony, Sophomore Previous School: Texas A&M
654.CB Marquise Robinson, Junior Previous School: South Alabama
681.S Miguel Mitchell, Junior Previous School: Florida
688.RB Rodney Hill, Junior (RS) Previous School: Florida State
713.LB Larry Worth III, Junior Previous School: Jacksonville State
767.LB Anthony Switzer, Senior Previous School: Utah State
786.DL Danny Saili, Junior Previous School: BYU
858.TE Andreas Paske, Senior Previous School: Eastern Michigan
1168.LB Stephen Dix Jr., Junior (RS) Previous School: Marshall
1617.QB Blake Boda, Freshman (RS) Previous School: Coastal Carolina
NR.P/K Matthew Shipley, Super Senior Previous School: Hawaii
NR.OL Joe More, Senior (RS) Previous School: Syracuse
NR.RB Tyrell Reed, Junior Previous School: Hutchinson CC
NR.WR Khafre Brown, Junior Previous School: South Florida
NR.K Kyle Ramsey, Senior (RS) Previous School: Abilene Christian

2024 Schedule Projections
8/29 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Little Rock) Win
9/7 @ Oklahoma State Loss
9/14 Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) (Family Weekend) Win
9/21 @ Auburn Loss
9/28 Texas A&M (Arlington) Loss
10/5 Tennessee Loss
10/12 Off
10/19 LSU (Homecoming) Loss
10/26 @ Mississippi State Win
11/2 Ole Miss Win
11/9 Off
11/16 Texas Win
11/23 Louisiana Tech (Senior Day; Military Appreciation Game) Win
11/30 @ Missouri Win
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-5) SEC

Image Courtesy: Bleacher Report

Per the official CollegeFootballPlayoff.com, “TNT Sports will present two first-round College Football Playoff games during the 2024 and 2025 seasons”. TNT will also begin broadcasting two quarterfinal games from 2026-2028. The network will be the “primary network televising the sublicensed CFP games.

ESPN will broadcast all other College Football Playoff games on its networks, including the annual national championship. The first 12-team playoff selection show will be Sunday, December 8. The four highest-ranking conference champions will be seeded 1-4 and they will receive first round byes. Teams seeded 5-8 will host teams seed 9-12 in the the first round. The opening round will be played December 20-21. The quarterfinals will be played at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl, the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, the Rose Bowl Game, and the Allstate Sugar Bowl, from December 31-January 1. The semifinals will be January 9-10 at the Capital One Orange Bowl and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The the national championship will be in Atlanta on January 20.

TNT’s decision to broadcast College Football Playoff games is huge with their contract ending covering the NBA at the end of the 2025-2026. The decision could mean the end of the legendary “Inside the NBA” show and NBA playoff coverage, which has been fantastic with Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, and Stan Van Gundy covering the games.

Image Courtesy: ESPN

August 24
Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (Dublin)
For the first time ever, ESPN’s College GameDay will head to Dublin for the annual week 0 game there. It has already been announced that the crew will head to the Florida State-Georgia Tech match up to open the 2024 season.

August 31
Clemson vs. Georgia (Atlanta; Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game)
Clemson-Georgia will likely be the option as the tigers look to return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2021. On the other side, Kirby Smart will definitely have his team ready after failing to make the College Football Playoff last season after winning back to back national titles.

September 7
Texas @ Michigan
Week 2’s obvious pick for ESPN is a match up between two College Football Playoff teams in 2023. The reigning national champions Michigan is being rebuilt by Jim Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore while Steve Sarkisian looks to have his Texas team firing on all cylinders in the Big House on the seventh day of September. Despite this game being televised on FOX, the crew has gone to the Alabama-Texas game on FOX two seasons ago, so I think this will be the clear option.

September 14
Alabama @ Wisconsin
Second-year Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell will face Alabama for the first time since his Cincinnati team lost to the Crimson Tide in 2021 in the College Football Playoff semifinal. I think GameDay will jump on going to Kalen DeBoer’s first game against a Power 5 opponent as the Crimson Tide’s first coach.

September 21
Tennessee @ Oklahoma
Josh Heupel’s return to Norman will be must see TV and a definite trip for GameDay to make to Norman for their first ever SEC game. Heupel, who played QB for the Sooners, will hope his team can go into one of the toughest environments in the country and get a head start on creating their College Football Playoff resumé.

September 28
Georgia @ Alabama
In former Alabama head coach and college football G.O.A.T. Nick Saban’s first season on GameDay’s crew, he and his fellow crew members will assuredly be at Kalen DeBoer’s SEC opener at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. No less, the game will be a rematch of the 2023 SEC Championship game, as the Crimson Tide look to continue their dominance over the Bulldogs.

October 5
Clemson @ Florida State
The reigning ACC champs will host the first College GameDay without an SEC team in two Saturdays when they host Clemson, who should be much improved after back to back missed College Football Playoff appearances.

October 12
Ohio State @ Oregon
The two most talented Big Ten teams match up for what should be a phenomenal game for GameDay to be at. Ryan Day’s Buckeyes lost to Oregon in a nonconference game in September of 2021 so revenge will be on his mind when they head to Eugene for what should be a great match up.

October 19
Georgia @ Texas
College GameDay‘s first appearance in Austin with the Longhorns in the SEC could be a match up between two teams that are ranked in the AP top five when Georgia comes to town. Just a week after what should be a fantastic game between the Buckeyes and the Ducks, the game between the Bulldogs and the Longhorns could be even better.

October 26
Kansas @ Kansas State
Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas and Kansas State have been model programs in the Big 12. With the new look league, the Jayhawks and the Wildcats will be the consistent teams so that GameDay can go to their games each and every season.

November 2
Ohio State @ Penn State
I feel like College GameDay goes to this game every year. The Buckeyes and the Nittany Lions always have great games. However, Penn State’s last upset of Ohio State was seven years ago in 2017.

November 9
Florida State @ Notre Dame
This list is full of SEC games so I chose Notre Dame hosting Florida State as the game the crew goes to this week. This would be a good pick as the reigning ACC champions go into South Bend to face what should be a top ten Notre team in the pre-season, led by former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard.

November 16
Georgia @ Tennessee
The only two options this week for College GameDay this weekend are Georgia-Tennessee so I think Knoxville is the pick here. The last time the Bulldogs were in Knoxville, the AP’s top ranked Bulldogs destroyed the College Football Playoff’s top ranked Volunteers.

November 23
USC @ UCLA
The crew will head to the Rose Bowl as USC and UCLA match up for the first time as Big Ten opponents after exiting the Pac-12. I am not that confident in this being the game this week because I think this could be the week where College GameDay goes to a Group of Five or FCS game, which they normally do once a year.

November 30
Texas @ Texas A&M
Despite the fact that College GameDay has gone to the Ohio State-Michigan game over each of the last three seasons, the pick for November 30’s site has to be College Station for the first Texas-Texas A&M game since 2011 when the two teams were Big 12 members. The electricity for this match up will put it as a favorite to be an ABC Saturday night primetime game, making it easy for ESPN to pick this one.

December 7
SEC Championship (Atlanta)
The SEC will be the best conference this season and so going to a match up between any of Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama, Missouri, LSU, or others will be fantastic.

December 14
Army vs. Navy (Landover)
The only game on December 14th will be the Army-Navy game in Landover at the Washington Commanders’ stadium. ESPN’s College GameDay loves going to this game every season.