The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has dropped the 2026 schedule for all its teams, Arkansas Razorbacks included. Coming off a rough 2-10 season in 2025, the Razorbacks face a tough path in the new nine-game conference slate.
The Hogs are set to meet a mix of tough opponents and old-school rivals. They’re hoping to flip the script after last season’s struggles. Let’s take a look at the key matchups and storylines for Arkansas in 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks’ 2026 SEC Schedule Overview
Arkansas opens SEC play in Week 3 against the Georgia Bulldogs on September 19. It’ll be the 13th meeting between these two, and Georgia’s got a three-game streak going over Arkansas.
The last time they met, back in 2021, Georgia blanked Arkansas 37-0 in Athens. The Bulldogs, who wrapped up 2025 with a 12-1 record and a College Football Playoff spot, are about as tough as it gets.
Non-Conference Games
Before the SEC grind, Arkansas will face three non-conference opponents:
- Week 1: North Alabama on September 5
- Week 2: at Utah on September 12
- Week 4: Tulsa on September 26
Honestly, these games are Arkansas’ best shot to build some confidence before things get wild in the SEC.
Key SEC Matchups
Week 5: Texas A&M Aggies
Arkansas heads to College Station for the Southwest Classic against Texas A&M on October 3. The Hogs haven’t beaten the Aggies since 2021, and last season’s shootout ended with Arkansas losing 45-42.
Texas A&M, who finished 11-1 in 2025 and made the College Football Playoff, won’t make things easy. This one’s always a bit unpredictable.
Week 6: Tennessee Volunteers
In Week 6, Arkansas hosts Tennessee on October 10. The last two meetings were split, with Arkansas pulling off an upset over a No. 4-ranked Tennessee in 2024, then losing 34-31 last season.
Tennessee ended 2025 at 8-4. This matchup could go either way, honestly.
Week 7: Vanderbilt Commodores
The Razorbacks visit Nashville to play Vanderbilt on October 17. It’s their first meeting since 2018, when Vanderbilt won 45-31.
The Commodores had a surprising 2025, going 10-2 and finishing 13th in the AP poll. Arkansas does lead the series 7-3, though.
Week 9: Missouri Tigers
After a bye in Week 8, Arkansas hosts Missouri in the Battle Line Rivalry on October 31. The Razorbacks haven’t won this one since 2021.
Missouri took last year’s matchup 31-17 and finished 2025 at 8-4. This rivalry always feels a bit personal.
Week 10: Auburn Tigers
Week 10 sends Arkansas to Auburn on November 7, where they’ll face the Tigers and their new head coach, Alex Golesh. Auburn leads the all-time series 21-13-1.
Last season, Auburn beat Arkansas 33-24. They wrapped up 2025 at 5-7, and Hugh Freeze was let go after a 10-3 loss to Kentucky. Coaching changes always make things interesting.
Week 11: South Carolina Gamecocks
Arkansas hosts South Carolina on November 14. The Razorbacks lead the series 14-10, and their last meeting in 2022 ended with Arkansas winning 44-30.
The Gamecocks had a rough 2025, dropping to 4-8 after a much better 2024. Not sure what to expect from them this time around.
Week 12: Texas Longhorns
In Week 12, the Razorbacks head to Austin to take on Texas on November 21. Texas has a commanding 58-23 lead in the series.
The Longhorns finished 2025 ranked No. 14 in the AP poll at 9-3, just missing the Playoffs. Last year, Texas took down Arkansas 52-37.
Week 13: LSU Tigers
Arkansas wraps up SEC play by hosting LSU on November 28 in the Battle for the Golden Boot. The Razorbacks have dropped four straight to LSU, including a 23-22 loss last season.
LSU, now coached by Lane Kiffin, ended 2025 at 7-5. Brian Kelly was fired after a blowout loss to Texas A&M. Coaching shakeups always add a little drama.
Permanent Rivals
Thanks to the new SEC setup, Arkansas has three permanent rivals: LSU, Texas, and Missouri. These matchups always bring some extra juice, and honestly, that’s what makes college football fun.
Arkansas Razorbacks have a tough schedule coming up. They’ll need those early non-conference games to find their footing—and maybe shake off the sting from last year’s 2-10 record.
Facing teams like Georgia, Texas A&M, and LSU will be a real test. These matchups could end up defining their 2026 season.
Honestly, fans are probably holding their breath. Can Arkansas finally pull off something big in the SEC?
For more details, check out the full schedule and some deeper analysis on the 247Sports website.
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