Game-by-game predictions for Arkansas football in 2023
Arkansas is entering year four of the Sam Pittman era, although one could argue it’s really year three if you remove the first season which was a SEC-only reduced schedule.
That being said, Pittman has exceeded expectations to this point, despite finishing .500 a year ago after a 3-0 start vaulted the Razorbacks into the top ten of the national rankings.
In the offseason, Arkansas lost both coordinators (Kendal Briles to TCU as offensive coordinator and Barry Odom to UNLV as head coach).
Briles’ replacement was a familiar one, as Dan Enos returned for a second stint after coordinating the offense from 2015-17 under Bret Bielema.
Travis Williams is the new defensive coordinator. An Auburn alum, he had worked under Gus Malzahn in a variety of different roles since 2014.
Let’s get our crystal ball out and see how 2023 is going to go.
Sept. 2 vs. Western Carolina Catamounts
This is the lone visit to Little Rock for the 2023 Razorbacks, and their first since trouncing UA-Pine Bluff here in October 2021.
With it doubling as the season opener, fans in central Arkansas should surely sell out the one opportunity they will get to see the Hogs play.
Prediction: Arkansas 45-17
Record: 1-0
Sept. 9 vs. Kent State Golden Flashes
Arkansas has never played the Golden Flashes in football. The on-campus home opener should be rowdy and should provide a tougher test than the previous game.
Prediction: Arkansas 38-20
Record: 2-0
Sept. 16 vs. BYU Cougars
This is the return game after the Razorbacks went out to Provo last year and whooped up on Brigham Young, 52-35.
I don’t think as many points will be scored in this one.
Prediction: Arkansas 31-16
Record: 3-0
Sept. 23 at LSU Tigers
Since joining the SEC in 1992, Arkansas has never opened its league slate against LSU, nor played it this early in the season.
Every other meeting between the Bayou Bengals and Hogs has taken place in October, November or in a bowl game.
Tiger Stadium is going to be a hot mess. The game will likely be at night. Not a recipe for a victory.
Prediction: LSU 35-24
Record: 3-1 (0-1)
Sept. 30 vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Last season’s defeat at the hands of an ultimately bad Texas A&M team left a sour taste in Razorback fans’ mouths.
The fumble on the goal line, the field goal miss off the goalpost, you name it.
Now Bobby Petrino is the offensive coordinator in College Station. No matter the circumstances, this game ALWAYS goes insane.
Prediction: Texas A&M 30-28
Record: 3-2 (0-2)
Oct. 7 at Ole Miss Rebels
This game is almost guaranteed to get weird.
In Pittman’s first year, Matt Corral threw six interceptions. The last meeting in Oxford, the Rebels won a shootout when Arkansas couldn’t convert a 2-point play as time expired.
Last year, the Razorbacks blew Ole Miss out in the first half and then weathered a furious comeback that ultimately fell short.
Expect more of the same. KJ Jefferson finally gets a win in his home state.
Prediction: Arkansas 45-41
Record: 4-2 (1-2)
Oct. 14 at Alabama Crimson Tide
Until Nick Saban retires, I can copy and paste this.
Until Arkansas finally beats a Saban-coached Alabama team, chalking it up as a loss.
Prediction: Alabama 34-21
Record: 4-3 (1-3)
Oct. 21 vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Sam Pittman is 2-1 against the Bulldogs since taking over, even though all of those games were coached against the late Mike Leach.
It remains to be seen what kind of identity MSU will have in year one of Zach Arnett taking over the program.
I’m going with a Hog victory.
Prediction: Arkansas 26-17
Record: 5-3 (2-3)
Nov. 4 at Florida Gators
Coming off a bye week, Arkansas will travel to Gainesville in search of its first victory ever in the Swamp.
The only win the Razorbacks have ever enjoyed in the regular season over Florida came in 2016 in Fayetteville, which conveniently featured Dan Enos as the Hog OC.
Billy Napier may be coaching for his job at this point.
Prediction: Florida 33-28
Record: 5-4 (2-4)
Nov. 11 vs. Auburn Tigers
It will be almost a year to the date when Hugh Freeze brings his Tigers to Fayetteville after his Liberty Flames pulled an upset of the Razorbacks that catapulted him into his current position.
Before that, Freeze had never won in Fayetteville, losing with both Ole Miss teams he coached in 2014 and 2016.
Travis Williams will probably have some added motivation for this one as well, facing his alma mater.
Prediction: Arkansas 28-24
Record: 6-4 (3-4)
Nov. 18 vs. FIU Panthers
Yawn. I absolutely loathe these late season non-conference games that put you to sleep by the end of the first quarter.
Prediction: Arkansas 51-16
Record: 7-4 (3-4)
Nov. 24 vs. Missouri Tigers
As of this writing, the game hasn’t officially been moved to the day after Thanksgiving on CBS, but I’m assuming this will be the case.
Arkansas cannot afford another loss in the ‘Battle Line Rivalry,’ especially since it may be going away with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas into the conference.
I’m betting they won’t lose.
Prediction: Arkansas 35-23
Record: 8-4 (4-4)
Final Record and Bowl Prediction
If KJ Jefferson and Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for this Razorback offense.
The defense should be improved based on what that unit has returning and the additions they’ve made in the portal thus far.
A 8-4 mark should put Arkansas in consideration for the Citrus, Gator, Music City and Texas Bowl.
Prediction: Music City Bowl against Michigan State
