The University of Arkansas is gearing up for an exciting 2025 football season under the leadership of Head Coach Sam Pittman, who enters his sixth year at the helm of the Razorbacks program. The team’s opening game is set to take place on August 30 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. With kickoff times now set for the first three contests of the season, fans can start planning for what promises to be a thrilling beginning to the year.
The Razorbacks will start their campaign against Alabama A&M, marking the first time these two teams will meet on the field. Scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m. Central Time, the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network. This non-conference clash provides Arkansas with an opportunity to begin the season on a strong note and build momentum as they head into the fall slate.
Just a week later, on September 6, Arkansas travels to Little Rock for another historic first-time matchup, this time against in-state opponent Arkansas State. War Memorial Stadium, a venue steeped in Razorback history, will play host to this intriguing faceoff. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. and fans can catch the action via ESPN+ and SEC Network+. Despite the proximity of the two schools, they have never met on the gridiron in regular season play, adding extra intrigue to this early-season matchup.
Conference play begins in earnest on September 13, when Arkansas visits Ole Miss to open their Southeastern Conference (SEC) schedule. This showdown will take place in the evening, with kickoff scheduled for either 6:00 or 6:45 p.m., depending on the final broadcasting decision. ESPN or SEC Network will carry the game. The matchup is expected to be a key early indicator of how the Razorbacks will fare in what is widely regarded as one of the most competitive football conferences in the country.
The full schedule reveals a mix of both new opponents and traditional rivals, as Arkansas seeks to assert itself in the national college football conversation. After their road game at Ole Miss, the Razorbacks travel to Memphis on September 20 for a non-conference showdown. This game is followed by one of the most anticipated home games of the season, as Arkansas hosts Notre Dame in Fayetteville on September 27. The Fighting Irish, a powerhouse with a storied history, will be playing the Razorbacks in what is expected to be a marquee matchup.
October presents a challenging yet favorable stretch for Arkansas, beginning with a road trip to Knoxville to take on Tennessee on October 11. That game is followed by three consecutive home games that will test the Razorbacks’ resilience and depth. On October 18, Texas A&M comes to Fayetteville for the first time since 2013, renewing a rivalry that has seen its share of memorable battles over the years. The Aggies’ return to Razorback Stadium is expected to draw significant attention from fans and media alike.
The homestand continues with a matchup against Auburn on October 25, another critical SEC showdown that could have implications for conference standings. Then, on November 1, Arkansas hosts Mississippi State to wrap up this three-game home stretch. This game, like many others in the SEC, carries added weight due to the competitiveness of the division and the historical rivalries involved.
As the season begins to wind down, the Razorbacks face a challenging trio of rivalry games to close out the regular season. On November 15, Arkansas travels to Baton Rouge to face LSU, a perennial SEC West contender. The following week, on November 22, the Razorbacks head to Austin for a highly anticipated matchup against Texas. This game rekindles an old rivalry that dates back to the days of the Southwest Conference and promises to be one of the season’s highlights.
Arkansas concludes its regular season at home on November 29 with a matchup against Missouri. This border battle, often referred to as the “Battle Line Rivalry,” has developed into a spirited annual contest. The game not only provides a dramatic close to the season but could also have postseason implications depending on how the SEC standings shake out.
In summary, the 2025 season presents Arkansas with a diverse and challenging schedule that includes first-time meetings, historic rivalries, and high-stakes conference games. Coach Sam Pittman, now in his sixth year leading the Razorbacks, will look to guide his team through a campaign that features a balanced mix of home and away games, key matchups within the SEC, and the opportunity to build on the program’s recent progress. With a mixture of new opponents like Alabama A&M and Notre Dame, as well as traditional foes such as LSU, Texas, and Missouri, fans can expect a dynamic and entertaining season ahead.
Here’s a quick rundown of the Razorbacks’ first three games with confirmed details:
August 30 – vs. Alabama A&M at 3:15 p.m. (SEC Network)
September 6 – vs. Arkansas State at 4:00 p.m. (ESPN+/SECN+), War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock
September 13 – at Ole Miss, kickoff at 6:00 or 6:45 p.m. (ESPN or SEC Network)
As the countdown to kickoff continues, excitement is building around Fayetteville and throughout the state. With game times established and opponents confirmed, all eyes are now on the Razorbacks as they prepare for another action-packed season under Coach Pittman’s leadership.
