Missouri asked for a little extra flair in the Battle Line game, but Arkansas wasn’t interested.
According to Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz, Mizzou wanted to wear home jerseys for this weekend’s matchup, the same kind of color-on-color look that Tennessee and Alabama used in their rivalry game this season. The Razorbacks declined the request.
The Tigers and Razorbacks have met every year for the past 12 seasons, and Missouri has controlled the series lately. Mizzou has won 10 of those 12 meetings, including the last four in a row. The Tigers also beat Arkansas by multiple possessions in Fayetteville in both 2023 and 2025.
Last year’s game in particular had a little bit of everything for Missouri. Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts each went over 100 rushing yards, and Kevin Coleman Jr. capped things off with a 67-yard punt return touchdown in a 31-17 win.
Arkansas enters the matchup at 3-4 and 1-3 in SEC play in the first year of the Ryan Silverfield Era. The Razorbacks got their first conference win of the season against Vanderbilt in Week 7, and a win on Halloween would give them back-to-back SEC victories for the first time since 2021.
Missouri sits at 5-2 and 2-2 in the SEC, and a win would keep the Tigers hanging around the College Football Playoff conversation ahead of games against Texas, Georgia and Kentucky. Arkansas and Mizzou are set to kick off at 7:45 p.m. E.T. on SEC Network.
In Other News...
Arkansas Still Has One Offensive Problem It Can't Shake
Arkansas has found a little rhythm coming out of halftime, scoring touchdowns on the opening drive of the second half in consecutive games. The opening possession of games, though, has been a different story entirely, and that has remained one of the more frustrating blind spots for an offense trying to build momentum early instead of chasing it.
Offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey has pointed to the basics as the fix, stressing the need to cut down on penalties, negative plays and sacks that can derail a drive before it gets started. There was also a notable development up front against Vanderbilt, where backup center Kash Courtney filled in for injured captain Caden Kitler and earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors, even as Kitler stayed listed as the starter on the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Gets A Real Opening Against Missouri In A Brutal SEC Test
Missouri comes into its matchup with Arkansas trying to clean up the kind of red-zone problems that can turn a tough SEC stretch into a real grind. Eli Drinkwitz singled out that inefficiency as one of the biggest issues for his team lately, while Ryan Silverfield spent part of the buildup talking through Arkansas injuries and also giving Missouris defense its due.
On the personnel front, the Tigers at least got a useful sign from Ahmad Hardy, who has returned to full practice after dealing with an injury. There still isnt a timetable for when he might be back in a game, which leaves one more layer of uncertainty for Missouri as it tries to steady itself before facing an Arkansas team looking for any opening it can find. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Gets One More Frontcourt Test As Memphis Waits On Key Big Man
Arkansas gets one more chance to sharpen its frontcourt before the games start counting, and the exhibition against Memphis should offer a useful look at how the Razorbacks handle size, length and physical play in the paint. For a team still sorting out its early identity, these tune-up games matter because they expose problems that can be hidden in practice, especially on the glass and around the rim.
Memphis brings its own uncertainty into the matchup, with forward Nemanja Popovic at the center of an NCAA eligibility dispute that could affect his availability when the regular season arrives. He just turned in a strong showing in an exhibition, which only adds to the intrigue for Arkansas as it tries to evaluate its interior defense against a frontcourt that may look different from one week to the next. [Read more 🡒]