Arkansas Football: Ranking the Toughest Games on the Razorbacks 2020 Schedule
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Since 1990, the Razorback faithful have been through some tough times on the gridiron but nothing quite compares to the hardships endured over the past three seasons. Arkansas posted a four-win season in 2017 under then head coach Bret Bielema and then opted for a change on the sidelines with an up-tempo offense under Chad Morris. The Morris era lasted two seasons with four total wins to show for the efforts. New Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman has a lot of work to do this summer in hopes of turning around a prideful program with an SEC gauntlet of games to play and a non-conference college football blueblood on the schedule.
Something the Hogs lacked during Morris’ time in Fayetteville was athleticism across the board at the skill positions and talent in the trenches. If the recruiting rankings mean anything, there may be SEC caliber players on the roster already, even if they might be a little green. The 2019 class was ranked 23rd nationally with the incoming haul ranked 30th with limited time to recruit. It will be all hands-on deck for the Razorbacks this season with Game 1 kicking off on Sept. 5 against a visiting Nevada Wolf Pack squad.
Ranking Arkansas Toughest 2020 Games
12. Oct. 3 – Charleston Southern at Razorback Stadium
Power 5 programs typically get reamed for playing FCS teams, especially SEC squads, but this is a much-needed game for Arkansas, even if it is placed at a bad time. If the schedule could be revamped, playing the Buccaneers might be best for the season opener to get the new offense and defense on the same page. Scheduled between Texas A&M and Alabama before facing LSU is more of a breather between tough outings.
11. Nov. 21 – Louisiana-Monroe at Razorback Stadium
The Warhawks are coming off a 5-7 (4-4 Sunbelt) 2019 season, but Arkansas fans beware. ULM did not back down from a struggling Florida State program a year ago taking the Seminoles into overtime in Doak Campbell Stadium before falling 45-44. Might be worth reminding Arkansas fans what happened in 2012… the Razorbacks, ranked No. 8 nationally, fell at home 34-31 in overtime.
10. Sept. 5 – Nevada at Razorback Stadium
Seeing Jay Norvell’s Air Raid offense executed by offensive coordinator Matt Mumme in Game 1 of the Hogs’ season cannot be fun for new defensive coordinator Barry Odom. The Wolf Pack turned in an up and down 2019 season going 7-6 (4-4 MWC) but has the kind of offense that can be relentless for a young defense that might be mistake prone and thinking instead of reacting. The Wolf Pack get a head start in this one playing a warm-up game against UC-Davis at home on Aug. 29.
9. Nov. 28 – Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
If there is any gas left in Arkansas’ proverbial tank, this might be a pivot game for the new staff deciding between a bowl game or spending the month of December at home. Defensive coordinator Barry Odom will have his fingerprints all over this game plan knowing all the players on the opposing roster having recruited them as the former head coach of the Tigers (2016-19).
8. Nov. 14 – Ole Miss at Razorback Stadium
If former head coach Matt Luke had any sort of defense, he might be getting ready for his fourth season in Oxford. As is, offensive-minded head coach Lane Kiffin takes over after three successful seasons at Florida Atlantic. During the 2019 season, the Rebels could score on anyone, but did so in a manner that might not be comfortable with Kiffin’s ideology, as a running squad. Ole Miss had the nation’s ninth best rushing offense (251 ypg) but fielded one of the nation’s lower achieving defenses ranking 85th among 130 FBS programs in total defense (416.8 ypg). Kiffin has turned to former Florida and Michigan DC turned Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin to right the ship on defense. The Hogs return home after facing Auburn and the Rebels have their second consecutive road game in Fayetteville after traveling to College Station.
7. Sept. 19 – at Mississippi State (Davis Wade Stadium – Starkville, MS)
Any true college football fan is ready to see Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense working against SEC defenses. Due to the quarantine, what Bulldogs fans hope to fully see in 2020 may have to wait until 2021, but there will still be excitement with Mississippi State’s offense. The Hogs may catch a break seeing the Bulldogs early in the season, in hopes that their offense has not gelled yet. Making it troubling for the Razorbacks, a second consecutive road trip after squaring off against Notre Dame in South Bend.
6. Nov. 7 – at Auburn (Jordan-Hare Stadium – Auburn, AL)
Given the Hogs’ recent history, winning on the road in-conference in 2020 would be a miracle, but the War Eagles might be vulnerable this season. Much of their Top 30 defense has matriculated to the NFL as well as their veteran offensive line. Auburn always recruits at an elite level, so the question is how well can this talented but inexperienced team perform this fall? Arkansas has a bye week and then faces off against Tennessee at home before going to Auburn. The War Eagles will have faced Georgia on the road, A&M at home, and MSU in Starkville before hosting the Hogs.
5. Oct. 31 – Tennessee at Razorback Stadium
Seven games into the 2019 season, the hot set for Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt could not have been any hotter. With a 2-5 record, and bad losses to then- No. 9 Florida (34-3), No. 3 Georgia (43-14), and No. 1 Alabama (35-13), the Volunteers’ season appeared to be over. But the backend of the schedule did not feature any ranked teams seeing the Vols win six consecutive. Hopes will be high in Knoxville, but can Tennessee keep the momentum into 2020? The Hogs may catch another break in the schedule with the Volunteers heading to town after they host Alabama while they come off a bye.
4. Oct. 17 – LSU at Razorback Stadium
After the mass exodus of early NFL Draft entrants from LSU’s championship winning squad, this team may look like a shell of its former self this fall. But that does not mean this team will not be loaded with talent, they just may go about winning in a different fashion. Seeing LSU after hosting Alabama is brutal.
3. Oct. 10 – Alabama at Razorback Stadium
The Crimson Tide is in new territory, for the first time ever under head coach Nick Saban they have had heavy losses of juniors off the roster in consecutive seasons. Regardless, this still does not bode well for Arkansas as Alabama is loaded with five- and four-star talents, even if they are learning on the job.
2. Sept. 12 – at Notre Dame (Notre Dame Stadium – South Bend, IN)
Might playing in the historic Notre Dame Stadium be a distraction for the Razorbacks? The Fighting Irish are coming off an 11-2 season with a Top 12 ranking, but are without 12 key players, six drafted by NFL teams. Given this is just the second game in Kendal Briles’ offense, might be a lot to expect a win on the road against the Irish.
1. Sept. 26 – vs. Texas A&M – Southwest Classic (AT&T Stadium – Arlington, TX)
What used to be a competitive series between Arkansas and Texas A&M has turned one-sided in the Aggies favor. Although five of the last eight showdowns have been one-score games, all eight games have ended in victories for A&M. The Aggies have some issues to address, mainly in the running game, but are a dark horse contender to win the SEC West with senior quarterback Kellen Mond returning.
*Related article: Top 2020 Arkansas Newcomers to Watch
Photo credit: Arkansas Razorbacks; Sam Pittman at an Arkansas practice