Tennessee will face a dramatically different Arkansas team in Saturday’s SEC matchup at Neyland Stadium, not just on paper and in structure, but in spirit and leadership.
After a demoralizing 56–13 loss to Notre Dame in Week 6, Arkansas fired head coach Sam Pittman on Sept. 28.
The program elevated Bobby Petrino to interim head coach, a name that still holds weight in Fayetteville. Petrino was Arkansas’ head coach from 2008-11.
Petrino will stay in charge of play-calling duties on offense, as he’s been the team’s offensive coordinator since 2023.
What that means for Tennessee is a matchup filled with uncertainty, urgency, and a Razorbacks team that has, perhaps unexpectedly, tightened its focus.
“I think it’s just a bunch of unknown,” said Southwest Times Record beat reporter Jackson Fuller.
“Honestly, I think the offense is going to stay pretty similar to what it was,” said Fuller.
One of Petrino’s first moves as interim head coach was to shake up the defensive side of the ball. That unit ranks 117th nationally, giving up 425 yards per game.
“Defensively, we just don’t know what this team is going to look like,” Fuller said.
“I think Arkansas is going to come out and play a little bit more simpler defensively, maybe not as many blitzes, but the pass rush just hasn’t been that great this year. So that’s a risk in itself,” said Fuller.
The defense is also adjusting emotionally after the dismissal of defensive coordinator Travis Williams, a coach beloved by players.
“Petrino acknowledged during his introductory press conference that defensive players would be emotional following Williams’ departure,” Fuller wrote. “A few Hogs took to social media in the immediate aftermath to express their displeasure.”
Despite the coaching turnovers, the Razorbacks have not unraveled.
“The biggest example you can give to the mindset of this team, nobody entered the transfer portal,” said Fuller.
When a coach leaves in the middle of the season, players are given a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal.
“No one’s gone in. This team is sticking together.”
Fan excitement is building around Petrino’s return .
“I think the fan base is behind Bobby Petrino,” Fuller said. “They’re excited to see what he can do. There’s excitement [in the locker room], like maybe he does have this magic wand no other coach has had since he left to fix the program.”
Offensively, Taylen Green remains the x-factor. The dual-threat quarterback is electric in space and capable of creating explosive plays — but his production has fallen off significantly in second halves.
In Arkansas’s last two Power 4 games, the offense combined for just seven total second-half points.
Petrino’s challenge will be stabilizing Green’s performance after halftime, especially with a depleted wide receiver group that lost No. 2 target Jalen Brown to a season-ending injury.
Top wide receiver, O’Mega Blake remains active, but unproven receivers will need to step up quickly.
And after a bye week, there’s potential for Petrino to install a few surprises.
“Coming off a bye week, maybe we can surprise Tennessee,” Fuller noted.
Tennessee should expect an Arkansas team that’s simplified on defense, steady in scheme on offense, and emotionally unified under new leadership.
With two weeks to prepare, this Arkansas team is as unpredictable and dangerous as it has been all season.
“I’m so intrigued to see what’s going to happen on Saturday,” Fuller said.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET inside Neyland Stadium.
