Let’s rekindle an old Southwest Conference rivalry, shall we? Continue reading “How to watch No. 15 Texas vs. Arkansas on Saturday”
How to watch No. 15 Texas vs. Arkansas on Saturday
How to watch, stream, or listen to the big game on Saturday.
Tag: texas vs arkansas
Texas vs. Arkansas: Who the experts are picking to win
Who are the experts predicting will win in Week 2?
Texas and Arkansas will rekindle an old Southwest Conference rivalry in Week 2. Continue reading “Texas vs. Arkansas: Who the experts are picking to win”
Texas Football: Going behind enemy lines with Razorbacks Wire
Longhorns Wire spoke with Eric Bolin of Razorbacks Wire about the upcoming matchup in this week’s “Behind Enemy Lines” feature.
Both Arkansas and Texas’ seasons got off to flying starts against Rice and Louisiana, respectively. Now, the two will rekindle the old Southwest Conference rivalry for the final time before becoming SEC conference mates again.
Longhorns Wire spoke with Eric Bolin of Razorbacks Wire about the upcoming matchup in this week’s “Behind Enemy Lines” feature.
What can Arkansas do to avoid a slow start like they had against Rice?
Head coach Sam Pittman said he felt like a lot of the slow start was nerves. I kind of believe him, actually. Quarterback KJ Jefferson was making his second career start and only his first with any real crowd because of Arkansas’ limited capacity last year. Once he settled, Arkansas was fine, arguably even good. He’s still inexperienced, though, so running back Trelon Smith playing the way he did last week will take some pressure off, as will an improved performance from wide receiver Treylon Burks, easily the best player on the whole roster.
If Treylon Burks is able to play, how effective do you think he can be against Texas’ secondary?
Unless something wild happens, Burks will play. He didn’t worsen his undisclosed injury against Rice, Pittman said. Because of that, I have to think he will be better against Texas because he’s had a full week of practice. That was part of the mediocrity against Rice: he had only practiced, really, a day-and-a-half the week-plus leading up to the game. The rust was real. When he’s going, he is a legitimately special player. Mel Kiper Jr. has him as a potential Top-10 pick in the NFL Draft if he comes out. If Smith is running well, it should open some things for Burks. If Smith isn’t running well, Texas can probably neutralize Burks, even if they can’t outright stop him.
With Sam Pittman being an offensive line coach and one of Texas’ strengths being the defensive line, who do you think will win that battle upfront?
The edge has to go to Texas right now. Arkansas is fair on the offensive line, but definitely bottom half of the SEC. Center Ricky Stromberg is an All-SEC player in the middle, certainly, but around him are mostly players who could be called “OK, I guess.” Myron Cunningham at left tackle is the best of the rest. But this is a unit that gave up 34 sacks last year to rank 120th in FBS. They were better against Rice in that regard, but until they protect the quarterback against (no offense, Rice) a really good team, it’s wait and see mode.
How big of a factor will the crowd be? Will the energy be consistent for all four quarters?
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is an odd place for an SEC stadium. The crowd loves their Razorbacks, no doubt about it. They’re practically the only game in town with no pro sports in the state and the only other FBS team on the other side of the state and playing in the Sun Belt. That said, it doesn’t have quite the same cachet as, say, The Swamp or The Bayou, or even Rocky Top. It can get loud, but it’s nothing Texas hasn’t seen before. If Texas pounces early, no worries for the Longhorns, crowd-wise. If not, things could get interesting.
Does Bumper Pool’s first-half suspension change the defensive approach at all?
The suspension probably doesn’t change the game plan as much as it creates a weakness. Arkansas is incredibly thin at linebacker already, so Pool’s suspension is a big loss. But because the Razorbacks almost never play more than two linebackers at a time, they’re built, in theory, to withstand it. That is if nobody else at the position is lost for a significant amount of time. Grant Morgan, the team’s best linebacker, will start and Hayden Henry is a capable third ‘backer who can hold down the fort until Pool returns in the second half. Throw in Andrew Parker, who can take some spot snaps, and Arkansas should be OK. It still isn’t ideal, though.
Longhorns Wire went into Arkansas territory as well. You can check out Razorbacks Wire’s behind enemy lines post here.
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Longhorns Wire staff predictions for Texas vs. Arkansas
How confident is the Longhorns Wire staff that Texas can escape Fayetteville with a win?
Texas will travel to Fayetteville for the first time in 17 years for the Week 2 matchup against Arkansas. Continue reading “Longhorns Wire staff predictions for Texas vs. Arkansas”
Texas Longhorns vs. Arkansas Razorbacks football series history
Texas holds a 56-22 lead in it series with old conference rival Arkansas. However, the programs have only played five times since 1991.
Texas and Arkansas have a long and storied history dating back to 1894. Continue reading “Texas Longhorns vs. Arkansas Razorbacks football series history”
Texas vs Arkansas Prediction, Game Preview
Texas vs Arkansas prediction and game preview. Saturday, September 11
Texas vs Arkansas prediction and game preview.
Texas vs Arkansas Broadcast
Date: Saturday, September 11
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR
Network: ESPN
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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
Texas (1-0) vs Arkansas (1-0) Game Preview
Why Texas Will Win
Texas didn’t get enough credit for what it did on Saturday.
Louisiana was the darling of the cheeky rankings crowd. It’s a fine team with a great coach, but it’s a bit overloved because of a 2020 great record highlighted by an opening week win over Iowa State.
And Texas rolled with relative ease after getting through the rust-shaking first half.
New head coach Steve Sarkisian got a big day out of new starting QB Hudson Card, Bijan Robinson looked and played like the superstar running back he is, and it was a 20-point win over the – supposed – 23rd-best team in college football.
The pass rush was great, the run defense was terrific against a team that had to run the ball, and now it gets an Arkansas team that couldn’t stop committing penalties in the 38-17 win over Rice – sinning 13 times – and struggled with is passing game. But …
– Week 2 College Football Expert Picks
Why Arkansas Will Win
The Hogs ran well.
This isn’t going to be a high-octane passing team, and it took WAY too long to get going – Rice was up 17-7 midway through the third quarter – but the defense locked up, the running game started rolling, and the lines took over.
KJ Jefferson is a good quarterback who’ll be dangerous on the move and has enough of a downfield passing arm to stretch the field a bit. He needs to be good, and the Hog linebackers have to be great.
Arkansas stuffed Rice for 81 yards and didn’t allow a run over seven yards. It’s going to get after Robinson from the start and make Card win the game.
– Week 1 NFL Predictions, Game Previews
What’s Going To Happen
Arkansas will be jacked at home with a chance to make a massive national statement in the Sam Pittman era.
It took a while to get going last week, but expect the lines to play great from the start, Jefferson to keep things moving and give the Longhorn linebackers fits, and …
Texas will D up when it has to in the second half.
The Louisiana game was an almost perfect trial run for Arkansas. Texas was able to keep the Ragin’ Cajun ground game from going off, and it’s going to make Jefferson throw to pull this off.
Arkansas will have the ball late with a chance to win, but it’ll stall.
– Week 2 College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews
Texas vs Arkansas Prediction, Line
Texas 34, Arkansas 30
Line: Texas -6.5, o/u: 56
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Must See Rating: 3.5
5: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Season 11
1: Vacation Friends
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– Fearless Predictions of Every Game
– Bowl Projections | Rankings
Five bold predictions for Texas’ Week 2 matchup against Arkansas
It’s time to be BOLD.
Texas is feeling confident after their Week 1 thrashing of the No. 23 ranked Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.
They now have what could be a very tough road matchup taking place in Fayetteville against a much improved Arkansas team. It will be the first road start of redshirt freshman quarterback Hudson Card’s career and it happens to be among a sold out crowd.
Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson got off to a rough start in the Razorbacks Week 1 game against Rice, but relied on his running ability to keep his team in the game.
Once he found a rhythm, he was able to utilize both the air and the ground to decimate Rice. He finished with 128 passing yards and one touchdown through the air, while adding on 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He will be anchored by a strong group of running backs led by Trelon Smith who rushed for a team-high 102 yards and a touchdown.
Slowing down this offense will be a great test to see how much the Texas defense has improved this offseason, as scrambling quarterbacks often gave the Longhorns issues in the past.
Steve Sarkisian’s offense will also look to keep their momentum rolling against a very strong and underrated Arkansas defense. It will not be easy, as although the Razorbacks were playing Rice, they were making life miserable for the Owls’ offense. Arkansas intercepted three passes in the fourth quarter to kill any hope of a comeback.
Although this is only Week 2, there plenty on the line for both schools, as this could give Texas a momentous win against an SEC team on the road with a young quarterback, or it can be a sign of emergence for an Arkansas team that has been down in the dumps for a while.
Each week on Longhorns Wire, I’ll come up with five bold predictions for the upcoming matchup. Against Louisiana, I hit on 2.5 of them. Will Card hit the 300 yard passing mark this week?
Texas-Arkansas sold out, first time since 2017 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Arkansas announced Saturday’s matchup is sold out with nearly 80,000 fans expected. It’s their first sell-out since the 2017 season.
The return of a rivalry game is great for everybody, especially the fans.
Ever since Arkansas visited Austin in 2008, the Razorback faithful have been waiting for Texas’ return trip. Thirteen years later and first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian will lead his squad into a ruckus Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium crowd.
Arkansas announced Saturday’s matchup is sold out and will have nearly 80,000 fans in attendance. It’s the football program’s first sell-out since the 2017 season against TCU.
76,808 is Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium’s attendance record back in 2010 when No. 1 Alabama came to town. With standing room only tickets still available, there is a good chance Arkansas’ record is broken by a couple thousand.
The Texas-Arkansas game is sold out, per Arkansas athletics. That’s not all that surprising. But this will be Arky’s first sellout since 2017?! That’s eye-opening.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) September 6, 2021
Sarkisian knows the type of environment Texas is walking into. While appreciating the moment is important for players, making sure the crowd is not intimidating and causing roadblocks will be a key aspect of preparation this week.
An experienced defense will have an easier time getting signals in. But with a redshirt freshman making his first-ever true road start, handling the sold-out crowd is important for Sarkisian.
“We know it’s going to be a hostile environment,” said Sarkisian. “I think one of the keys for us in handling that crowd noise and what we do from a communication standpoint.”
Texas will try to silence 80,000 Hog fans Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. Getting a win could be crucial for the program, creating a significant amount of momentum heading into conference play.
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WATCH: Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman misidentifies two of Texas’ top players
Now even opposing head coaches are having trouble telling the difference between Bijan Robinson and D’Shawn Jamison…
Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman spoke with the media on Monday prior to the matchup with Texas on Sept. 11. Continue reading “WATCH: Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman misidentifies two of Texas’ top players”
Texas-Arkansas rivalry “a pretty cool game” but Steve Sarkisian sees faceless opponent
Steve Sarkisian respects the Texas-Arkansas game for the old rivalry it is. However, this week’s preparation cannot be any different.
Ever since Arkansas left the Southwest Conference for the SEC back in 1992, Texas has only appeared on the schedule five times. Two have been in a bowl game (both won by the Razorbacks), with another two taking place in Austin.
Saturday will mark the first time in 17 years the Longhorns make the trip to Fayetteville. Before the 2004 season, it had been since 1989.
For the older set of fans, this was the main rivalry, especially on the Arkansas end of the spectrum. Oklahoma and Texas A&M may have been bigger priorities down in Austin, but the history behind Texas-Arkansas is too large to dismiss as just another opponent from the outside.
“It’s a pretty cool game,” said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. “To think this will be the 79th time these two schools have met, it’s pretty special.”
Arkansas’ program dates back to 1894 where the then-called Industrial Cardinals faced off against Fort Smith High School. In late November, their first intercollegiate game took place against Texas in Austin.
The 54-0 scoreline set the tone for how the rivalry would shape over the next century. Texas won 14 straight between 1894 and 1932. Arkansas’ first series win came the following year and went on to take five of the next six.
Overall, the Longhorns lead the series 56-22 and have never gone on a longer losing streak than four games.
When Darrell Royal and Frank Broyles were in the charge of the two programs, the rivalry was at its peak. Between the two coaches, three national championships were won in the 1960s. Texas’ 1969 win in “The Game of the Century” directly led to the school’s second title.
It may be a dated feud but disdain for one another does not go away because of 30 years of separation. Sarkisian says something an old-school rivalry like Texas-Arkansas is why the sport is loved across the country.
“I am very aware of the rivalry, Sarkisian said. “I love the pomp and pageantry, the history and tradition of college football, that’s what makes our game so unique and so special.”
Internally, hyping Arkansas up more than anybody else on the schedule does not interest Sarkisian. The preparation and mindset from the players and coaches must be the same as last week.
Saturday may mean a lot to both Texas and Arkansas fans but the Longhorns are going to try their hardest to make it just another game.
“I appreciate the rivalry and love all that it entails but on the flip side of that, from our preparation standpoint, we just go right in. Quite frankly, every opponent is a faceless opponent.”
That opponent is one looking for a signature win to propel themselves to a new level. Second-year head coach Sam Pittman has brought excitement back to Fayetteville after a few seasons of being the SEC West’s doormat.
A Week 1 win over Rice has set the tone for how the Razorbacks are going to play this season. Being an offensive lineman coach at heart, Pittman’s program will be anything but a doormat.
“We have a great deal of respect for Arkansas,” said Sarkisian. “I think Coach Pittman has done a fantastic job since getting there of changing the culture. This football team plays hard, they play physical, they’re tough.”
Sarkisian got to see how difficult of an opponent Arkansas can be last season with Alabama. The Razorbacks held him to 98 yards fewer than the season average. Najee Harris only ran for 46 yards and no Crimson Tide receivers had 100 receiving yards. Nobody else was able to accomplish the same.
At the same time, even a ‘bad’ offensive day ended up with 52 points on the scoreboard. Arkansas turned the ball over four times and DeVonta Smith returned a punt for a touchdown for 21 easy points.
However, Texas will be facing a few more external factors.
When Alabama rolled into Fayetteville last season, kickoff was at 11 a.m. at the end of finals week with 16,500 in attendance. In reality, it was just a bridge between the SEC championship next week for the Crimson Tide.
For Saturday, Arkansas announced Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is sold out for the first time since 2017. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. on ABC and a redshirt freshman quarterback is walking into his first career road start.
Faceless is how Sarkisian’s squad should approach the game for their own benefit. Otherwise, quite a daunting task is staring them in the face.