Q: Arkansas has already secured a bowl game this season with six wins, how would you evaluate the season as a whole for the Razorbacks?

At the beginning of the season, most of the fanbase and I would've taken it. But Arkansas has shown flashes of greatness. They have a quarterback in Taylen Green who can break it loose at any moment, a defense that's held Texas A&M and Texas under 21 points, and a wide receiver in a back-and-forth battle with Tre Harris to lead the SEC in yards. At the same time, the Razorbacks gave up 60-plus points to Ole Miss at home, the 69th-ranked red zone offense to go along with the 9th-best offense, and an offensive line that is improved, but still struggling to protect the QB. So, to answer your question, Arkansas has more than exceeded the preseason expectations but has fallen short compared to the eye test.

Q: How would you evaluate Taylen Green's first season in the SEC? What are you expecting for Green's future?

I am a big supporter of Green. Everyone already knows what he can do with his legs, but his ceiling in the passing game is incredibly high; he's just inconsistent. It usually takes a few years for QBs to grasp Bobby Petrino's offense. Just look at Lamar Jackson and Ryan Mallet's first years under the OC's offense. I have faith he'll make a big jump next season if he's still here.

Q: Score prediction for Mizzou vs. Arkansas? Why?

I'm predicting a low-scoring game because Arkansas and Missouri have pretty good defenses, and both offenses are ranked in the mid-40s in efficiency. I think Arkansas edges past the Tigers, though. The Hogs have a harder strength of schedule and they've played, and beaten a likely college playoff team. I think the Razorbacks desperately want to prove they're better than their record suggests, so I have Arkansas winning 24-21.

Q&A with Arkansas Football expert Austin Farmer

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Q: Mizzou and Arkansas have become a rivalry game every year, do you feel the same sort of tension ahead of this year's game? How would you assess the current state of the Arkansas fanbase?

The fanbase hates the fact that the SEC foisted the Missouri rivalry on us. At the same time, they're irate that the Razorbacks can't seem to win the game.

It helps when Eli Drinkwitz is from the state. He really knows how to push the fanbase's buttons. Last season's game really heated the rivalry with the small brawl. Drink blamed Arkansas, stating, "We were here to play football. They were here to fight," when it was actually a Missouri's Cam'Ron Johnson who started it. That set the fans on fire, so I'm hoping Arkansas can come out with the same intensity on Saturday.

Q: Sam Pittman with another average season, how would you evaluate his coaching and are you optimistic about the future of Arkansas football with Pittman at the helm?

Sam Pittman has brought Arkansas out of the Chad-Morris-darkness that surrounded the program. There's a lot to be thankful for when it comes to Pittman.

Unfortunately, there are mistakes that keep happening, year after year, that are inexcusable. And if he hasn't fixed it after five years, I have serious doubts they'll go away now. I'm not very optimistic about his future, but with revenue sharing around the corner, maybe things can change.

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Mizzou vs. Arkansas: Q&A with Razorbackers Editor Austin Farmer

By Zach Sweet | Nov 29, 2024

Q: Mizzou and Arkansas have become a rivalry game every year, do you feel the same sort of tension ahead of this year's game? How would you assess the current state of the Arkansas fanbase?

Q: Sam Pittman with another average season, how would you evaluate his coaching and are you optimistic about the future of Arkansas football with Pittman at the helm?