Arkansas

ESPN Predicts Winner of Arkansas, LSU for Battle of Golden Boot

Published

1 year ago

October 13, 2024

ESPN Predicts Winner of Arkansas, LSU for Battle of Golden Boot

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two weeks after a home upset of then No. 4 Tennessee behind an impressive defensive effort, Arkansas will look to slow down an LSU offense which ranks among the leagues best in productivity.

The Tigers average over 34 points which is good for sixth 6 in the SEC and generates 460 yards per game which is No. 5 in conference. LSU just got some momentum by somehow managing a 29-26 overtime win against the Rebels that kept them from being another two-loss team.

Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Xavian Sorey celebrates after a play in a loss to Oklahoma State. / Craven Whitlow-Hogs on SI Images

LSU is given a 54% chance to defeat Arkansas inside Razorback Stadium one day after all but ending Ole Miss’ College Football Playoff hopes.

Here’s an ESPN Analytics breakdown between Arkansas and LSU from its Football Power Index table. Both programs have respectable offensive and defensive units but have struggled in the special teams department.

	Arkansas	LSU
ESPN FPI Ranking	No. 25	No. 14 Advertisement
Overall Efficiency	No. 29 (72.3)	No. 26 (74.8)
Offensive Efficiency	No. 35 (66.5) Advertisement	No. 8 (82.7)
Defensive Efficiency	No. 24 (72.5)	No. 49 (60.5)
Special Teams Efficiency Advertisement	No. 92 (43.2)	No. 120 (33.7)
Conference Champion %	0.3%	4.2% Advertisement
Playoff %	2.4%	26.4%
National Champion Game %	0.1% Advertisement	2.1%
Win Playoff %	0%	0.8%
Final Record Prediction Advertisement	7-5	8-4

Arkansas has won three of its previous five games with both losses coming by one possession with leads in the fourth quarter. Coach Sam Pittman shared a belief in his team that if turnovers were prevented, his Razorbacks could beat any team in the country.

“The defense ended up keeping us into it and ended up winning it for us,” Pittman told ESPN after the game. “Travis Williams and the [defensive staff] had them ready to play. They played hard the entire night and we didn’t turn the ball over. If we are the same with turnovers, we can beat anybody in the country and we proved that tonight.”

Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman celebrating with fans on the field after a 19-14 win over Tennessee

Arkansas Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman celebrating with fans on the field after a 19-14 win over the Tennessee Volunteers at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. / Michael Morrison-Hogs on SI Images

Last weeks zero in the turnover column helped preserve a home win that took quite a bit of heat off Pittman’s seat. Winning not only a rivalry game but bringing the Golden Boot trophy home against LSU would do well from a recruiting standpoint and program trajectory.

Before the season, the Razorbacks ranked No. 44 overall but due to the strength of the conference and continued to climb even in a losses at Oklahoma State and Texas A&M in Arlington. If Arkansas can take care of business against LSU Saturday then conversations of the Hogs’ program being back on track will pick up major steam.

• Three storylines for Razorbacks ahead of LSU game

• Pittman’s time to make important quarterback decision running short

• Arkansas can’t afford another field storm, but here’s who should pay if they do

• Former Razorback quarterback benched for true freshman

• Singleton up to task if Arkansas can do one basic thing

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Arkansas

One more list of wishes for Arkansas in 2026 | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

7 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

One more list of wishes for Arkansas in 2026 | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Rex Nelson

rnelson@adgnewsroom.com

Rex Nelson has been senior editor and columnist at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since 2017, and he has a biweekly podcast called “Southern Fried.”

After graduating from Ouachita Baptist University in 1981, he was a sportswriter for the Arkansas Democrat for a year before becoming editor of Arkadelphia’s Daily Siftings Herald. He was the youngest editor of a daily in Arkansas at age 23. Rex was then news and sports director at KVRC-KDEL from 1983-1985.

He returned to the Democrat as assistant sports editor in 1985. From 1986-1989, he was its Washington correspondent. He left to be Jackson T. Stephens’ consultant.

Rex became the Democrat-Gazette’s first political editor in 1992, but left in 1996 to join then-Gov. Mike Huckabee’s office. He also served from 2005-09 in the administration of President George W. Bush.

From 2009-2018, he worked stints at the Communications Group, Arkansas’ Independent Colleges and Universities, and Simmons First National Corp.

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Arkansas

USA Truck returns to private Arkansas-based ownership | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

19 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

USA Truck returns to private Arkansas-based ownership | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Dylan Sherman

dsherman@nwaonline.com

Dylan Sherman is a business reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He is based in Northwest Arkansas and focuses on Tyson Foods Inc. and the transportation industry. A graduate of the University of Missouri, he has been with the newspaper since 2023.

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Arkansas

Arkansas Court of Appeals | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas Court of Appeals | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

The Arkansas Court of Appeals released opinions Wednesday. The court’s ruling and the names of the cases are reprinted here. The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.

PROCEEDINGS OF Jan. 7, 2026

CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH

CR-23-821. Kenneth Steward v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Gladwin and Brown, JJ., agree.

JUDGE ROBERT J. GLADWIN

CR-25-24. Bryce Anderson v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Virden and Harrison, JJ., agree.

JUDGE CASEY R. TUCKER

CV-24-537. Flywheel Energy Production, LLC v. Van Buren County, Arkansas; and Van Buren County Judge Dale James, in His Official Capacity as Van Buren County Judge, from Van Buren County Circuit Court. Reversed and dismissed. Abramson and Harrison, JJ., agree.

JUDGE WENDY SCHOLTENS WOOD

CV-24-209. LRS South, LLC v. Benton County Solid Waste Management District and the Benton County Solid Waste Management District Board, from Benton County Circuit Court. Reversed and remanded. Hixson and Murphy, JJ., agree.