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 much different than when they met in 2021, resulting in a 40-21 win for the Razorbacks in Fayetteville. Texas has returned to the top of the college football world as the Hogs attempt to clinch bowl eligibility with a sixth win.

How to watch, game preview: Arkansas vs. No. 3 Texas

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

“Defensively they’re big. I’m not going to say simple. You know where they’re going to be. They remind me of when I was at Georgia, the type of schemes they use is what Georgia’s defense is.” have done a lot. They say we’re better than you, we’re going to line up and give you an attitude change. But they have some very, very good players talented.”

Arkansas vs. Texas: Star Comparison, PFF Grades, Season Stats

Texas has 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 head coach at Arkansas. Of those 58 games, 49 have been against an SEC opponent, a Power 4 enemy and/or an opponent from the AP Top 25 poll.

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

Let’s be honest, most Arkansas fans are wondering whether or not the Razorbacks will contend in this game. If you win, you’ll be eligible to go bowling and party all night in Fayetteville, but that’s a lot to ask.

Texas has top talent at every position and the defense is one of the best in the country. 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, we can hope that there isn’t another end to the season in store where SEC opponents dominate the Razorbacks on their own home court.

Texas 39, Arkansas 26

Arkansas simply cannot afford to look lax in this game. If so, Texas can absolutely repeat the performance Ole Miss did against the Hogs two weeks ago.

Will a bye week – which Arkansas didn’t take advantage of earlier this season before the LSU game – be the difference? What about Ja’Quinden Jackson returning to the fold? I really believe these two factors will help the Razorbacks score points, but stopping the Longhorns is another question.

When Arkansas has struggled defensively, it faces veteran quarterbacks who have talented playmakers around them. Quinn Ewers and the rest of Texas’ offense fit that bill.

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

Texas 45, Arkansas 34

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

I don’t really think there’s a chance of Arkansas winning this game. The Razorbacks may be able to keep it somewhat close, but unless the pass defense is drastically improved, it will all be for naught. However, there are some positives. Starting quarterback Taylen Green appears healthy, along with running backs Ja’Quinden Jackson and Braylen Russell. The offense could possibly move the ball and score some points, but I don’t think the defense can pull it off.

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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