Steve Sarkisian offers thoughts on Arkansas ahead of Saturday's rivalry game
As the Texas Longhorns prepare to face the Arkansas Razorbacks this weekend, head coach Steve Sarkisian knows it’s more than just another game. For both teams, this matchup is steeped in history. Sarkisian and his team are bracing for a tough, physical contest as they return to a place that handed them a definitive loss just a few years ago.
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“This rivalry’s been going on for a long, long time,” Sarkisian said. Reflecting on the longstanding animosity Arkansas holds for Texas, he quipped, “I was joking with the team this morning; I don’t know what Darrell Royal did to Arkansas back in the day, but they absolutely hate our guts. I think we learned that the first time around when we went there.”
Sarkisian acknowledged that previous trip to Fayetteville, a 40-21 loss, things didn’t go Texas’ way.
“Heck of a challenge going to Arkansas here Saturday,” Sarkisian said. “We all know about the rivalry and what it means to the University of Texas, what it means to Arkansas. Last time we went there things didn’t go so well for us. Hopefully, we can put a better foot forward against them in this ballgame.”
He praised the Razorbacks as a well-rounded, physical team with the kind of roster that’s typical of the SEC. “They got a good football team. They’re big, they’re physical, they’re built like most SEC teams,” he said. Sarkisian highlighted Arkansas’ balanced and explosive offense. “They got a very explosive offense with the run game and the pass game.”
Defensively, Arkansas presents formidable challenges with a big, physical front, including standout defensive end Landon Jackson (brother of 2025 Texas commit Lance Jackson). “They got a defensive end who’s going to be a first-round draft pick in Jackson. So, we got our work cut out for us.”
Yet Sarkisian feels confident in his team’s mindset and preparation. “I like the mentality of the team already here Monday morning,” he said, noting how focused they are on the task ahead. “With them understanding that was a good game for us Saturday, but there’s more work to be done.”
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One key player the Longhorns will be watching closely is Arkansas’ quarterback Taylen Green. Sarkisian had high praise for the former Boise State quarterback, acknowledging the unique challenges he poses. “First of all, he’s huge. A guy his size that can run the way he runs, sometimes you don’t think he’s covering as much ground as he is, but the stride length is so long that he’s able to cover ground.”
Green’s dual-threat capability adds another layer to Texas’ defensive preparations. “The explosive plays that he uses with his legs, his ability to make all the throws down the field,” Sarkisian noted. He also praised Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino as an “elite offensive play caller and schemer” who places Green in positions to succeed, whether through the zone read, quarterback runs, or deep shots down the field.
“You have to defend a lot of offense, and then when you have a guy like him running it, it can be extremely challenging,” Sarkisian said.
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As Texas heads into this highly anticipated showdown, Sarkisian knows that his team must match Arkansas’ physicality and stay disciplined against a dynamic and well-coached offense. The rivalry runs deep, and Texas is eager to show just how far they’ve come since its last encounter in Fayetteville.
