RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesArkansas football fans are accustomed to the preseason dread of a grueling schedule, but Ryan Silverfield is about to get his first taste of life in the SEC.
According to ESPN's Football Power Index, the Razorbacks have the toughest schedule in the country this fall. The Hogs will face seven ranked teams in the preseason edition of the USA TODAY Coaches Poll , including three opponents inside the top 10.
Is there a path to a successful season for Arkansas ? If the Hogs are going to exceed expectations, they'll need to pull off a few upsets. Here are the three most important games on the Arkansas schedule in 2026:
Utah, Sept. 12 (away)
The Hogs have an opportunity to make an early season statement for the Silverfield era and for the SEC at-large. The league would affirm its standing as the deepest in America if the team predicted to finish in last place went on the road and knocked off a Big 12 favorite.
But it would mean a lot more for Arkansas' first-year coach. The Razorbacks haven't won a nonconference game against a Power 5 opponent since 2022, and the Utes haven't lost a home nonconference game since 2013.
Beating Utah would be immediate validation for the hiring of Silverfield. It would kickstart a season with low expectations and provide confidence throughout the roster and the state.
Just imagine the environment inside Razorback Stadium the following week when Georgia comes to town if Arkansas is somehow 2-0.
Tennessee, Oct. 10 (home)
Arkansas has been putrid at home in recent seasons. Sam Pittman finished off his tenure with one win in his final eight games in Fayetteville. That lone victory came against the Volunteers .
Tennessee is ushering in a new quarterback, and this game will represent the first SEC road start for either George MacIntyre or Faizon Brandon. The Vols are also having to replace nine starters from last year on defense.
Tennessee was picked to finish eighth in the SEC, and if one of the quarterbacks turns into a star, it could be a sleeper to make the College Football Playoff. But in a grueling schedule, this looks like one of the more winnable games for Arkansas. The Razorbacks haven't lost at home to Tennessee since 2001. They'll try to extend that success under Silverfield.
Missouri, Oct. 31 (home)
At some point, the Battle Line Rivalry misery for the Razorbacks has to end, right?
Arkansas native Eli Drinkwitz is 5-1 against the Hogs since he joined Missouri in 2020. Dating back to when the Tigers joined the SEC, Arkansas is 2-10 in the series.
Drinkwitz takes great pride in owning the rivalry, so beating Missouri would endear Silverfield to the Arkansas fans. A Halloween home game should be a terrific environment for an upset.
Austin Simmons began last season as the Ole Miss starting quarterback, so he isn't green to the SEC, but he also doesn't have the same experience as other signal-callers on the Arkansas schedule.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: 3 big games for Arkansas football coach Ryan Silverfield's 1st season
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