It is time for change in Little Rock.
On Saturday, the Arkansas Razorbacks had been no match for Related Press No. 22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-2), dropping 56-13, their worst non-conference home loss since 1987, after they fell to then-independent Miami (Fl), 51-7. The Razorbacks had been out-gained, 641-365, with the Preventing Irish changing into the second workforce (first non-conference) since 1995 to throw for 400 yards and rush for 150 yards at Arkansas. (h/t Stathead)
The resounding defeat placed on tape what most had already realized about Arkansas (2-3, 0-1 in SEC) beneath head coach Sam Pittman. This system is caught in stasis and watching the remainder of the SEC and school soccer elite cross it by.
The schedule solely will get more durable from right here
The 56 factors allowed by the Razorbacks had been their most towards a non-conference opponent beneath Pittman. Total, Arkansas is 32-34 since Pittman became head coach in 2020. Solely Auburn (31-34), Mississippi State (31-34) and Vanderbilt (20-42) have a worse win share amongst SEC groups throughout that span.
Based mostly on the workforce’s effort towards Notre Dame, the 2025 season might nonetheless get a lot uglier. All seven of Arkansas’ remaining video games are towards groups presently with a successful report, together with 5 within the AP ballot. Following a Week 6 bye, Arkansas performs at No. 15 Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 in SEC), adopted by video games towards No. 9 Texas A&M (3-0), Auburn (3-1, 0-1 in SEC), Mississippi State (4-0), No. 4 LSU (4-0, 1-0 in SEC), No. 10 Texas (3-1) and No. 20 Missouri (4-0, 1-0 in SEC).
It is unlikely issues will get higher for Arkansas beneath Sam Pittman
Issues appear unlikely to enhance a lot in future seasons. According to 247Sports, the Razorbacks are No. 11 within the SEC in 2026 recruiting rankings. This system can also be in the course of the pack within the switch portal, so it most likely will not have the ability to depend on it for a direct turnaround.
It is time for Arkansas to shake issues up. The established order is not working, and it hasn’t for some time. Since 2012, the Razorbacks are one in all two SEC packages with out a 10-win season, becoming a member of Vanderbilt. Saturday’s loss was a stark reminder of how far Arkansas is from being related to the nationwide dialog. And that is unlikely to alter so long as Pittman is head coach.
