COLLEGE STATION — After seven weeks of the season, Texas A&M football looks like one of the top teams in the nation. However, it faces another SEC challenge in Week 8. After the Aggies beat the Florida Gators 34-17 in Week 7, they are preparing to face the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville, Ark., for the first time since 2013.
Arkansas fired head coach Sam Pittman two weeks ago after starting 2-3. In their first game since the coaching change, Arkansas lost 34-31 to No. 12 Tennessee.
The Razorbacks (2-4, 0-2) lost against A&M last season.
The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and will be televised on ESPN.
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Here are five things to know about the Arkansas Razorbacks ahead of Week 8:
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 28: Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Dalton Brooks (25) makes a tackle in the Southwest Classic between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas A&M Aggies on September 28, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. (Photo by John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
MORE: Aggies put Gators away late in 34-17 win
Arkansas football: 5 things to know about the Razorbacks
1. Razorbacks struggling defensively
Arkansas’ defense has been a major reason for its struggles, and possibly a key factor in why it replaced its head coach during the season. Through six games, the Razorbacks rank last in the SEC in total defense and run defense, allowing 435 yards and 184 yards per game, respectively. Arkansas is giving up 22.5 points, which is 14th in the conference. Its pass defense is 15th, allowing 251 yards per game.
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The Razorbacks have allowed more than 30 points in three games, including 56 against Notre Dame, which was Pittman’s last game. Meanwhile, A&M has been held under 30 points just once.
2. Bobby Petrino coaching vs former team
Before A&M hired head coach Mike Elko to lead the program, the Aggies were guided by Jimbo Fisher. Arkansas’s new interim head coach, Bobby Petrino, was on Fisher’s staff. Petrino served as A&M’s offensive coordinator in 2024. During his time with the Aggies, Petrino’s offense averaged 34.2 points (25th in FBS, fifth in SEC) while gaining an average of 403.8 yards.
With more than 14 years of head coaching experience, Petrino has a combined 119-57 record while leading Louisville, Western Kentucky and Arkansas. During his tenure with Arkansas (2008-11) he was 3-0 against Texas A&M.
3. All-time record vs A&M
The A&M and Arkansas rivalry has a long, rich history. The first meeting between the Aggies and Razorbacks dates back to 1927. The two programs have played 80 times, including 13 SEC matchups since A&M joined the conference in 2012. The Aggies trail 36-41-3 in the all-time series but have dominated recently. A&M is 12-1 in the last 13 meetings, with the only loss in 2021.
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4. Rivalry headed back home
Every year since 2014, the “Southwest Classic” has been held at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. However, that changes this year, as the two rivals shift to a home-and-home schedule, with the first game in Arkansas before returning to College Station in 2026. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the game was played at Kyle Field.
Fayetteville, Ark., has traditionally been unkind to A&M, as the Aggies are 10-21-2 on the road in this series. At Kyle Field, the Hogs hold an edge, but only slightly at 16-15-1.
5. History behind the Razorbacks’ nickname
According to Arkansas, the school adopted its nickname after football coach Hugo Bezdek called his players a “wild band of Razorback hogs” following their win over LSU in 1909. Originally, Arkansas athletic teams were known as the Cardinals, but the student body voted in 1910 to change the official mascot to the Razorback to reflect this new and popular name.
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Arkansas has a live mascot named Tusk VI, a Russian boar.
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.