FAYETTEVILLE -- the wait for football season is just about over and Arkansas' fans will get to see the 2025 Razorbacks on Saturday.
Sam Pittman has been optimistic about this team despite not many media polls giving the Hogs love. They will host Alabama A&M on Saturday in Razorback Stadium.
"Excited to get out in front of our home crowd," Pittman said. "We haven’t had a home opener since 2022. Have high respect for Alabama A&M and we know they’ve got a really good quarterback in Cornelious Brown and a new staff over there that did a wonderful job at Miles College. So a lot of unknowns about their team to be honest with you. But it’s more about us, how we play. We’re healthy, so I’m expecting to have a really nice crowd and a really nice home opener."
It isn't out of the question the Razorbacks will have to make some adjustments during the game since A&M has so many new faces and the staff just came over from Miles College.
"Well, we've obviously seen film on Miles College, and they brought their coordinators from there, at least not their special teams, but the offensive and defensive coordinators," Pittman said. "And so we're going to try to see if what we've been practicing on is what they're running. Certainly that's what we believe. They won their conference over at Miles, and I'm sure they're going to do a lot of similarities. They've got a really good quarterback that can do different things in there. But adjustments in first games are big, and we've got to make them fast. Obviously, with new technology, we'll be able to see it and show our kids, but going into it, we know they're really good stretch team, the quarterback and throw the deep ball. They like to in the pass, they like to throw screens. And so we've got to stop that offense.
"Defensively, they give us a whole new point of problems with, you know, they're a total team. They will go zero on you. They've got a little bit of a different blitz with a corner-Willy fire that we've been working on. So there's a lot of different things that you go into the game prepared for, and then if there's something that shows up that we haven't prepared for, it'll be like any game. Maybe a few more items this week than than normal, but any game, good coaches are those that don't wait till halftime to make adjustments. They make it as soon as you get off the offensive, defensive, get with your coaches. So we've just got to be fast on making adjustments."
Quarterback Taylen Green is one of the reasons for optimism at Arkansas. He's back for his second season with the Hogs and definitely glad to face a new team.
"Like you just said, preparing for somebody else," Green said. "I'm tired of going against Cam (Ball) wreaking havoc and just to be live, running around in front of the best fans in the country. Who wouldn't want that? So, the level of excitement is extremely high, especially being a home opener. Haven't been there since what, 22? Yeah, long time."
Ball, Arkansas' standout defensive tackle, also feels the same way.
"Same with us to piggyback defensive wise," Ball said. "We're real excited, man. Like you said, the home opener, it's been a minute, but it's kind of bittersweet for us seniors and old heads because this is our last first game and last first game on the hill, man. But we're getting well-prepared, well-coached, and we're ready for Saturday."
Pittman and Green are both high on the new weapons the team has on offense. Gone is the leading rusher and top nine in receptions.
"Well I like our speed on the outside with Jalen Brown and O’Mega Blake," Pittman said. "I like those guys. Obviously CJ Brown’s had a good camp, Monte Harrison. So those are two that we know about. But Jalen and O’Mega Blake are new, or would be knew for our fans. We have certainly Mike Washington’s a new guy that he can hand the ball to. Then at the tight end spot, Rohan Jones can run and Jaden Platt can run. So those would be guys that I think our fans would be excited to see play."
Green agrees that fans will know who Washington, Jones and others are very soon.
"Definitely going to change," Green said. "They’re going to be surprised, but I'm not going to be surprised. We’re going to be dancing in the end zone and having a great time."
Green was asked what he wants the team to showcase for the fans Saturday?
"Just all the firepower and all the playmakers that we have," Green said. "Not just the skill positions, but the O-line, the tight ends, the receivers, the running backs. Everybody. Just how much work we’ve put in and like Coach (Bobby) Petrino said, on Saturday it’s game time, it’s prime time, so just letting it fly and having the mentality to take the ball and score every single time we touch it. That’s the mentality that we have and like I said, be more responsible when I have the ball in my hands. That’s a lot, but a lot comes with the position."
Ball also chimed in on A&M's offense that the defense will face on Saturday.
"From the defensive standpoint, they run a lot of stretch, a lot of zone," Ball said. "This is really their whole offensive staff’s first year here. They were previously at Miles College, so we’ve been watching a lot of Miles film just getting a grasp. They’ve got some talented players, man. We can’t underestimate anybody. We treat everybody like they’re an SEC opponent. They’ve got some guys where if we come out and do what we’re supposed to do, then the outcome will be great. But they’ve got a good offense man."
Linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. is pleased to get the season going and in Razorback Stadium.
"Yeah, man," Dix said. "It's awesome to kick off the season, once again, man, here in this awesome stadium we’ve got. It’s going to be a great experience. I can't wait to get in front of our fans again. And then, you know, not playing the offense again for the millionth time for this offseason, man, get out there for an opponent. So, we're just excited."
Defensive tackle David Oke and wide receiver Antonio Jordan are the only Razorbacks expected to miss the game.
The kickoff is set for 3:15 p.m. Saturday against Alabama A&M and televised on the SEC Network.
Prediction: Arkansas 52 - Alabama A&M 10
