FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The rivalry is back. For the first time since 2021 and the first time as conference opponents since 1991, the Texas Longhorns and the Arkansas Razorbacks will battle it out on the gridiron.
This is a rivalry that dates back to the late 1800s. The most notable of those games came in 1969, which is referred to by many as "The Game of the Century." On Dec. 6, 1969, #1 Texas took down #2 Hogs, 15-14, and secured a national title. Then-President Richard Nixon attended the game and declared it a national championship game.
While Texas does have an edge in the all-time series leading Arkansas 56-23, the Hogs have won five of the last seven games against Texas. The last two battles include the 2014 Texas Bowl, blowing out the Longhorns 31-7, and the memorable storm rushing in 2021 where the Hogs handed current Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian his first loss with Texas, topping the the 15th-ranked team in the nation, 40-21.
However, this year will be much more difficult than the last couple for Arkansas as the Horns come into this game as the 3rd-ranked team in the nation.
The Longhorns are 8-1 on the year. Their only loss was to Georgia, 30-15, in Austin on Oct. 19. This week they are coming off a 49-17 blowout against Florida where Texas QB Quinn Ewers threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions in just over two quarters played.
The Texas defense will be another issue for the Hogs as they are 2nd in the nation in total defense, allowing just 251 yards per game and allowing only 12.11 points per game.
As for the offense, with Sarkisian calling plays for Texas, they will get points on the board averaging over 39 points per game — 10th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Despite missing around two games due to injury, Quinn Ewers is leading the team with 1,733 passing yards this year. Before the injury, Ewers was the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy but has cooled down since coming back on Oct. 12 against Oklahoma.
The Longhorns are one of the most complete teams in the nation, so the Razorbacks will have their hands full on Saturday.
However, the Hogs have had an extra week to prepare for this one. They are coming off of a much-needed bye week after losing to the Ole Miss Rebels 63-31 on Nov. 2 in Fayetteville. This break gave them a chance to regroup and help QB Taylen Green recover after getting knocked out with a right leg injury against Ole Miss.
The Hogs and Horns will face off on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. at Razorback Stadium and will air on ABC.
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