A storied rivalry will be reignited on Saturday as the Texas Longhorns travel to face the Arkansas Razorbacks. This clash brings back memories of their fierce battles in the Southwest Conference before Arkansas exited the league in 1991. Thanks to recent SEC realignments, the annual matchup is back on the schedule.
For Texas, the stakes are high as they aim for a spot in the College Football Playoff and seek to clinch the SEC title in their inaugural year within the conference. Currently positioned at No. 3 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings, the Longhorns face challenges including the absence of a victory against a top-25 team and a significant defeat to No. 12 Georgia at home. With little margin for error, every game is crucial for Texas. Meanwhile, Arkansas is on a quest for bowl eligibility, and they have a history of upsetting top-ranked teams, having already defeated then-No. 4 Tennessee earlier this season.
A win against Arkansas, a team on course for bowl contention, would bolster Texas’ playoff credentials and improve their momentum before their final regular-season game against Texas A&M.
Viewers can catch the Texas vs. Arkansas game on Saturday, November 16, at 12 p.m. ET at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with coverage available on ABC and through live streaming on fubo.
Key details to watch for include:
– *Longhorns’ Quarterback Quinn Ewers*: Ewers is back in excellent form following a career-best performance with five touchdown passes in last week’s game against Florida. He will need to maintain this level of play without making critical mistakes as the season progresses.
– *Razorbacks’ Home Struggles*: Arkansas has experienced difficulties at home, with a strong start against Tennessee followed by disappointing losses to LSU and Ole Miss. Their secondary has been particularly vulnerable, an area that Texas could exploit.
– *Importance of Style Points for Texas*: Given their ranking, Texas needs to secure substantial victories, striving to win all remaining games by large margins to strengthen their playoff position. Their history of convincing wins this season could play a pivotal role in how they are perceived by playoff selectors.
– *Arkansas’ Offensive Potential*: Although ranked highly in total offense, Arkansas has faced challenges converting drives into points. The play of quarterback Taylen Green could be a decisive factor, as he has shown both flair and inconsistency.
In a prediction regarding the upcoming game, analysts suggest that despite Arkansas’s offensive capabilities, their recent struggles and defensive weaknesses point toward a likely victory for Texas, with a suggested betting line favoring the Longhorns by 13 points.
As these two storied programs clash, fans can look forward to an exciting matchup that not only revives a classic rivalry but also influences the trajectory of both teams this season. With high stakes and a history that fuels passion, this game promises to be a thrilling spectacle for college football enthusiasts.