HawgBeat Staff Score Predictions: Arkansas vs. Texas

The Arkansas Razorbacks (5-4, 3-3 SEC) will renew their rivalry with the No. 3 Texas Longhorns (8-1, 4-1 SEC) on Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

Both teams look a lot different than they did when they met in 2021, which resulted in a 40-21 win for the Razorbacks in Fayetteville. Texas has climbed back near the top of the college football world as the Hogs look to gain bowl eligibility with a sixth win.

How to watch, Game Preview: Arkansas vs. no. 3 Texas

“Texas, really, really good,” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said Monday. “Very talented up front offensively, skill-wise and at quarterback. They’ve got guys and they want the ball to the rim, put you in space. Tough to tackle when they get into space. We definitely worked on that last week.

“Defensively, they’re big. I don’t want to say simple. You know where they’re going to line up. They remind me of when I was at Georgia, the type of schemes that they run, that’s Georgia’s defense. They say we’re better than you and we’re going to whip your ass mentality. But they have some very, very talented players.”

Arkansas vs. Texas: Star comparison, PFF grades, season stats

Texas owns a 56-23 lead over Arkansas in the all-time series, including a 17-4 advantage in games played in Fayetteville. Saturday’s game against Texas marks Pittman’s 58th game as the head coach at Arkansas. Of those 58 games, 49 have come against an SEC opponent, a Power 4 foe and/or an opponent ranked in the AP Top 25 poll.

Arkansas is a 12.5 point underdog against the Longhorns according to BetSaracen odds. Here’s how the HawgBeat staff is predicting Saturday’s game, which will air on ABC:

Let’s be real, most Arkansas fans are just wondering if the Razorbacks will contend in this one. A win would allow you to bowl and lead to an all-night party in Fayetteville, but that’s a lot to ask.

Texas has elite talent at every position and its defense is one of the nation’s best. On the other hand, the Longhorns’ offense will face an Arkansas defense without a few contributors, including defensive end Anton Juncaj and linebacker Anthony Switzer.

After the Hogs gave up 63 points to Ole Miss last time out, let’s just hope we’re not in for another close to the season where SEC opponents dominate the Razorbacks on their own home court.

Texas 39, Arkansas 26

Arkansas simply cannot afford to come out poor in this game. If it does, Texas can absolutely repeat the performance Ole Miss did against the Hogs two weeks ago.

Will a bye week — which Arkansas failed to capitalize on earlier this season before the LSU game — be the difference? How about Ja’Quinden Jackson’s return to the fold? I think those two factors will help the Razorbacks score points, but stopping the Longhorns is another matter.

When Arkansas has struggled defensively, it has come against experienced quarterbacks who have talented playmakers around them. Quinn Ewers and the rest of Texas’ offense fit that mold.

Therefore, Arkansas will score, but Texas will score more.

Texas 45, Arkansas 34

The Arkansas secondary was exposed against Ole Miss. It was so bad that head coach Sam Pittman used the bye week so late in the season to keep open competition on the back end of the defense. The Razorbacks face a formidable Texas passing attack this week.

I don’t really think Arkansas can win this game. The Razorbacks might be able to keep it a little close, but if the pass defense doesn’t drastically improve, it will all be for naught. However, there are some positive aspects. Starting quarterback Taylen Green appears to be healthy, along with running backs Ja’Quinden Jackson and Braylen Russell. The offense could potentially move the ball and score some points, but I don’t think the defense will get it done.

Texas 38, Arkansas 24

Mason Choate: 5-4 overall, 4-5 ATS

Riley McFerran: 5-4 overall, 4-5 ATS

Daniel Fair: 5-4 overall, 3-6 ATS

Jackson Collier: 5-4 overall, 5-4 ATS

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