Arkansas (5-4, 3-3 SEC) is coming off its final bye week of the season following a disappointing 63-31 loss to Ole Miss in Fayetteville on Nov. 2. Head coach Sam Pittman provided key injury updates for the Razorbacks and discussed the rivalry against Texas.
Arkansas Injury Updates
Quarterback Taylen Green played the first half of the Razorbacks’ last game against Ole Miss but was benched in the second half due to an injury he sustained earlier in the game. Pittman stated that Green practiced all last week and is expected to return this Saturday for the Hogs.
Running back Ja’Quinden Jackson has missed the last two games, with his last appearance coming in the 34-10 loss to LSU on Oct. 19, where he recorded five carries for 26 yards. Pittman said Jackson is expected to practice today, and the coaching staff will assess his progress.
Defensive back Jaylon Braxton, anticipated to be a key player in the Razorbacks’ secondary, has dealt with lingering injuries that have limited him to only partial action in the game against Oklahoma State on Sept. 7. Pittman expects Braxton to return to practice today and will evaluate his condition after the extended absence.
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Rivalry with Texas
Arkansas and Texas were both members of the Southwest Conference from 1915 to 1991 before Arkansas joined the SEC. Texas later joined the Big 12. These two programs share a long history, and now, being in the same conference, the rivalry could be revived. At SEC Media Days, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian commented on the intensity of the rivalry.
“I always jokingly say this,” Sarkisian said. “I feel like when you go to Arkansas, I almost at times feel like they hate Texas more than they like themselves. That’s a real rivalry.”
In preparation for this game, Pittman has gone the extra mile to emphasize the depth of the rivalry to the Razorback locker room, using old game footage of Arkansas vs. Texas.
“Well, I think you have to educate the kids on how big the game is to the fans, to the university,” Pittman said. “I think you have to educate the kids for that, because you can play better in a rivalry game if you believe it’s a rivalry, and certainly, we’re going to have to play our best to be able to win the game.”
Arkansas will host No. 5 Texas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on Nov. 16, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. on ABC/ESPN+.