Arkansas football: Game-by-game predictions for 2024 college football season

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas football season kicks off in one week with an in-state matchup against at Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium.

The Razorbacks are about to embark on a critical season. Sam Pittman, entering his fifth year as head coach, is firmly on the hot seat. Arkansas is coming off a disastrous 2023 campaign that forced an upheaval of the roster and offensive coaching staff, with Bobby Petrino leading a new group of assistants eager to revive the program.

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Pittman has exuded confidence throughout preseason practices that this year's team is more talented, better prepared and possesses the required chemistry to produce a turnaround. Still, the SEC is a gauntlet and the Hogs have a formidable schedule to start the season.

Here are our game-by-game Arkansas predictions this college football season.

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Arkansas football predictions for 2024 season

Aug. 29: Arkansas vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff (UAPB)

Location: War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock.

About the game: The Hogs get an easy tune-up before one of the most important game of their entire season. This is a chance for Taylen Green and the offense to build some confidence, but the biggest goal is to escape without any injuries. Raheim Sanders was a shell of himself throughout 2023 after suffering a knee injury in this stadium.

Prediction: Arkansas 55, UAPB 10 (Arkansas record: 1-0)

Sept. 7: Arkansas at Oklahoma State

Location: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Okla.

About the game: The Hogs will face the No. 18 Cowboys in front of a sold out crowd for their first big test of 2024. Ollie Gordon is one of the best running backs in the country and will provide a good measuring stick for the Arkansas defense. The Hogs will score, but Oklahoma State will have enough firepower to avoid the upset.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 37, Arkansas 31. (Arkansas record: 1-1)

Sept. 14: UAB at Arkansas

Location: Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville.

About the game: Last year's struggles against Kent State were the first signs of a potentially rough season, and the Hogs must avoid a similar assessment in their first Fayetteville game of 2024. UAB's Jacob Zeno is a dynamic quarterback, and the Blazers are explosive, but this should be a comfortable win for the Razorbacks.

Prediction: Arkansas 41, UAB 17. (Arkansas record: 2-1)

Sept. 21: Arkansas at Auburn

Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.

About the game: The Tigers humiliated the Razorbacks in 2023, running for 364 yards in a 48-10 road win. That Arkansas team was limping toward the finish line, while this year's team will be out for revenge, but Auburn still has home-field advantage and better talent. A close contest ends in the Tigers' favor.

Prediction: Auburn 27, Arkansas 24. (Arkansas record: 2-2, 0-1 SEC)

Sept. 28: Arkansas vs. Texas A&M

Location: AT&T Stadium, Dallas.

About the game: This could be a huge swing game for both teams. Arkansas is 2-2 under these predictions, and the Aggies could easily have two losses by this time with games against Notre Dame and Florida in the first four weeks. The Hogs have struggled mightily in this series, but they'll close out the rivalry's AT&T Stadium era with a win that gives the program a huge boost.

Prediction: Arkansas 29, Texas A&M 23 (Arkansas record: 3-2, 1-1)

Oct. 5: Tennessee at Arkansas

Location: Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville.

About the game: This will be just the third matchup between the schools in the past decade, with Arkansas currently holding a three game winning streak over the Volunteers. Can the Hogs do enough through the first five weeks to get the fans excited about the SEC home opener? We'll say yes, and Arkansas picks up its signature win of the season in narrow fashion.

Prediction: Arkansas 30, Tennessee 27 (Arkansas record: 4-2, 2-1)

Oct. 19: LSU at Arkansas

Location: Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville.

About the game: This could be another prime spot for an Arkansas upset with the Hogs coming off a bye and LSU playing Texas A&M the week before. These games have been historically close, even when Arkansas was down, and that shouldn't change in 2024. Still, LSU is going to be the favorite and will leave Fayetteville with the victory.

Prediction: LSU 35, Arkansas 24 (Arkansas record: 4-3, 2-2)

Oct. 26: Arkansas at Mississippi State

Location: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Miss.

About the game: Last year's loss to the Mississippi State was arguably the low point of the season, and it resulted in the firing of Dan Enos. The Bulldogs are ushering in a new era under head coach Jeff Lebby, but they're still a couple years away from receiving the fruits of that labor. The Hogs pick up a key SEC road win that puts them on the path to bowl eligibility.

Prediction: Arkansas 34, Mississippi State 23 (Arkansas record: 5-3, 3-2)

Nov. 2: Ole Miss at Arkansas

Location: Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville.

About the game: The Rebels have national championship aspirations this year and will need a win over Arkansas to keep those hopes alive. This will mark a reunion with former Arkansas linebacker Chris Paul Jr., and the transfer portal firepower amassed by Lane Kiffin will be too much for the Hogs.

Prediction: Ole Miss 38, Arkansas 17 (Arkansas record: 5-4, 3-3)

Nov. 16: Texas at Arkansas

Location: Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville.

About the game: Arkansas will receive its second open week before this game and show up inspired to recreate the magic from three years ago, when the Hogs crushed the Longhorns 40-21 in front of a raucous home crowd. The Hogs will keep things close, but the Longhorns' NFL talent is a trump card.

Prediction: Texas 34, Arkansas 28 (Arkansas record: 5-5, 3-4)

Nov. 23: Louisiana Tech at Arkansas

Location: Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville.

About the game: Back-to-back home losses will halt some momentum, but the Hogs will accomplish a meaningful milestone by clinching a postseason berth with a win over the Louisiana Tech. This could be a big moment for Sam Pittman, guaranteeing a two-win improvement from last year and relieving some pressure before the Border Line Rivalry that closes the regular season.

Prediction: Arkansas 44, Louisiana Tech 21 (Arkansas record: 6-5, 3-4)

Nov. 30: Arkansas at Missouri

Location: Memorial Stadium, Columbia, Mo.

About the game: Arkansas has never won a true road game against Missouri, and thanks to one of the easiest schedules in the SEC, the Tigers could be in a scenario where a win over the Hogs clinches a spot in the College Football Playoff. This game will be much closer than last year's blowout, but Eliah Drinkwitz will continue his dominance over the Razorbacks.

Prediction: Missouri 27, Arkansas 23 (Arkansas record: 6-6, 3-5)

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This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football: Game-by-game predictions for 2024 college football season