Arkansas (3-2, 1-1 SEC) will host No. 4 Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC) on Oct. 5 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, in Fayetteville, Ark., at 6:30 p.m. CST.
The Razorbacks are coming off a disappointing 21-17 loss against No. 24 Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC) in the Southwest Classic game at AT&T stadium. The Volunteers enter the game well-rested after a bye week.
What’s at Stake for the Hogs?
Arkansas faces one of the toughest remaining schedules in the SEC and country. Including this matchup against Tennessee, five of the Razorbacks’ last seven opponents are currently ranked in the Top 15. With a 3-2 record, the Hogs likely need to upset at least one of those five ranked teams to be bowl eligible.
Key Players for Arkansas
QB Taylen Green: Green has shown he can be an explosive playmaker but has also struggled with consistency. He ranks third in the SEC in passing yards but has five touchdowns and five interceptions. For Arkansas to succeed, Green must be more consistent and make smarter decisions with the football.
RB Ja’Quinden Jackson: Jackson carried the ball only 10 times for 37 yards and a touchdown against Texas A&M, but the Hogs need to give him the ball more to move the football consistently. He leads the SEC in rushing and has been one of the best players on the Razorbacks’ offense this season. Against a strong Tennessee defense, establishing the running game is crucial.
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LB Xavian Sorey Jr.: Sorey leads the Razorback defense with 32 tackles and will be vital in stopping Tennessee’s rushing attack, which averages the most in the SEC at 290 yards per game. The Volunteers have four players with over 100 rushing yards this season, and their passing game relies heavily on play-action. Stopping the run is essential for Arkansas.
DL Landon Jackson: Jackson had a slow start to the season but is coming off his best game, recording eight tackles, including two sacks, against Texas A&M. The Hogs need him to continue applying pressure on quarterback Nico Iamaleava and contain the running game to prevent big plays.
Trends to Watch for Arkansas and Tennessee
Arkansas cannot afford to play sloppy in this game. Tennessee’s offense and defense have performed excellently this season. The Volunteers’ offense ranks second in the SEC for yards per game, while their defense allows the fewest yards in the conference. This leaves little room for error for the Hogs. Arkansas must capitalize on as many scoring opportunities as possible to pull off the upset at home.
Broadcast Information
Time: 6:30 p.m. CST
Date: Oct. 5
Where: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark. TV: ABC/ESPN+
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