Sam Pittman discusses how Arkansas is approaching loaded SEC slate with Texas, Oklahoma

Sam Pittman has been dealt some difficult schedules since being hired at Arkansas. Between the always-tough SEC West and playing Missouri as a cross-division opponent, every week was a grind. But with divisions being eliminated, maybe Arkansas would catch some breaks moving forward.

Unfortunately, Texas and Oklahoma are joining the SEC — two natural rivals for Arkansas. They go back to the Southwest Conference with the Longhorns while sharing a border and recruiting group with the Sooners. Those two games are going to mean something to the program when playing.

Pittman discussed how Arkansas will deal with difficult schedules moving forward, saying they will have to roll with the punches. There are no excuses for how they perform on the field, citing games can be won if they eliminate turnovers and play smart football.

“I think everybody’s schedule is tough,” Pittman said during a Wednesday appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show. “Regardless of what the fans may believe about who has a good team and who doesn’t. We’re going to approach it just one game at a time… I do like our home schedule. I like our nonconference schedule and see what happens.

“From my first year here, when the SEC conveniently gave us Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee from the East to going on the road four, five weeks in a row last year. It is what it is. Certainly not an excuse maker. I’ve got to get better this year. The schedule is the schedule.”

Pittman is referencing the 2020 season when Arkansas faced three of the SEC East’s top programs plus multiple traditional West opponents. Three wins were earned by the Hogs, including one over the Vols.

Last season, Arkansas played a Sept. 16 nonconference game against BYU in Fayetteville. They did not return home until Oct. 21 with a neutral site game vs. Texas A&M and then three straight on the road. A grueling stretch for them in 2023.

Nobody is quite sure how the SEC will structure the schedule moving forward. If Arkansas has three permanent opponents, some tough teams are expected to be in there. Texas certainly could be one, while there has been a rivalry formed with Texas A&M since they joined the SEC.

Pittman does not really care who is on the schedule. Whether Arkansas has the easiest or toughest slate according to outside perception, he knows winning on Saturdays is what’s most important.