Arkansas 2021 football schedule was released on Wednesday. The SEC announced schedules for every team in the conference for the upcoming season. After a 3-7 record in 2020, the Hogs are ready to prove that the program is headed in the right direction.
In 2020, Arkansas showed much improvement under head coach Sam Pittman. Despite a losing record, the Razorbacks put forth improvements at every position. But heading into 2021, the program wants to prove that they belong with the top programs in the conference.
Arkansas Razorbacks 2021 Football Schedule Released
In 2021, Arkansas opens the season against the Rice Owls at home on September 4. The following week, the Texas Longhorns come to town for a big non-conference game. On September 18, Georgia Southern makes a trip to Fayetteville. The Hogs open SEC play on September 25 against Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas.
October Slate
To begin the month of October, Pittman and the Razorbacks travel to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs on October 2. Last year, Georgia defeated Arkansas 37-10 in Fayetteville. October 9 has the team traveling again to Oxford to face the Ole Miss Rebels. The Hogs beat the Rebels 33-21 in 2020 at home. Arkansas returns home on October 16 to host the Auburn Tigers. Just a few months ago, Arkansas was a play away from defeating the Tigers in Auburn. To close out October, Arkansas welcomes Arkansas-Pine Bluff to Fayetteville for the final non-conference game of the 2021 season. Arkansas has an open date on October 30.
November Games
The final month of the regular season has the Razorbacks with one home game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on November 6. Last October, Arkansas went to Starkville and took down the #16 Bulldogs 21-14. The next two games are both on the road. The program travels to Tuscaloosa on November 13 to face the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge. Then on November 13, the Hogs travel to Tuscaloosa to face the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide. In the final regular season game, rivalry week sees the Razorbacks take a trip to face the Missouri Tigers in Little Rock.
The Missouri game in Little Rock is a curious situation. The fan base was outraged following the schedule release about this particular game. Not only does it take away a home game for Arkansas, but it is set to be played in a stadium that sits just 54,120 fans. However, with limited fan attendance still likely the move for 2021, that may not be a major issue. But still, the SEC could have given the Hogs another home game in Fayetteville for rivalry week.
Arkansas 2021 Football Schedule Final Thoughts
Arkansas has a tough road slate, and a somewhat tough home schedule. The non-conference game against Texas could be an interesting game. The Razorbacks will have six true home games, four road games and two neutral site match-ups. If the program can start off in 2021 with the improvements made in 2020, this team could be set up for success. Pittman could see his first winning season as head coach. Remember, Arkansas was just a few plays away in multiple games from potentially finishing 2020 with a winning record.
