Sep 6, 2025; Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino prior tot he recreation towards the Arkansas State Purple Wolves at Battle Memorial Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Pictures The Arkansas Razorbacks put a slight dent in Tennessee’s School Soccer Playoff positioning final season, so coach Josh Heupel’s No. 12 Volunteers will attempt to keep away from a repeat of that recreation on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn.
Holding a 13-7 all-time sequence edge, the Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) will meet up with the new-look Razorbacks (2-3, 0-1) who’ve gained the final 4 matchups.
A two-touchdown house underdog final yr, Arkansas dealt No. 4 Tennessee its first setback, 19-14.
Because the convention continues an outstanding 2025 — eight of the AP High 25’s prime 14 at present ranked faculties are SEC ones — Tennessee will look to rebound from that disappointing loss in what was a 10-3 season, ending with a crushing first-round CFP exit to eventual nationwide champ Ohio State.
The Arkansas defeat helped pressure Tennessee to hit the highway for an 8-9 matchup that the Buckeyes gained simply, 42-17.
The Razorbacks began their bye week by firing sixth-year coach Sam Pittman, who was simply 14-29 in convention play and embarrassed 56-13 by visiting Notre Dame in Week 5. They then promoted offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino on an interim foundation.
Petrino, 64, went 34-17 from 2008 to 2011 with Arkansas, however he was dismissed in April 2012 for a scandal triggered by his mendacity a few motorbike accident that concerned him and a feminine assistant with whom he was having a relationship and giving money to.
The OC-turned-HC stated his protection should step up towards Tennessee’s pass-slinging first-year quarterback Joey Aguilar, particularly contemplating Petrino fired three defensive coaches on Day 1 on the helm.
“They seem to be a problem, they’ve at all times been a problem,” Petrino stated. “They unfold the sphere, however they need to run the ball. So the largest problem is, how do you defend the go and cease the run?”
The Volunteers lead in nation in scoring (51 pts per recreation) and rank sixth in complete offense (536.4 yards per recreation).
“I went into lots of video games the place you thought, ‘Aw, man, that is going to be a shootout,’ and at halftime, it is 10-9,” stated Petrino, who has diminished game-week observe from 4 days to 3 and determined to maneuver from the press field to the sidelines to run his offense. “Definitely, I really feel like we have got to go in and be capable to transfer the ball and rating factors.”
Heupel’s orange-clad defenders should decelerate Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Inexperienced, who leads the nation with 367.8 complete yards per recreation.
The 6-foot-6, 224-pound former Boise State standout has tossed 12 TDs and produced two 100-yard speeding video games.
“You have to play gap-sound and get off the blocks,” Heupel stated Monday of containing the Lewisville, Texas, playmaker. “He is dynamic. He is acquired nice lengthy pace, and you have got to have the ability to sort out him. Within the totally different constructions we’re enjoying (up entrance defensively), our hole integrity goes to be essential.”
Added Heupel: “Bobby’s performed it at a very excessive stage for a very very long time. It is a good soccer group … which will have been on the improper aspect of the scoreboard a little bit bit.”
Heupel stated All-American cornerback Jermod McCoy “continues to do an incredible job” in his restoration from ACL surgical procedure, however will seemingly be unavailable.
–Area Degree Media
