Through the decades, the University of Arkansas has played Top 10 opponents in consecutive games 17 times. Arkansas has yet to accomplish a two-game sweep.
Many Razorback fans — high on the win over Tennessee and delighted that Arkansas had two weeks to prepare for LSU — deluded themselves into thinking this was the year the Hogs would knock off Top 10 teams in back-to-back home games.
Not so fast, my friend.
It was LSU 34, Arkansas 10 as the Tigers moved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in Southeastern Conference play. Arkansas fell to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the SEC as it readjusts its goal to winning at least six games and making it to a minor bowl game. It was the eighth LSU victory in the past nine meetings between the two schools.
The Tigers were plus three on turnovers and outgained the Hogs 384-277. Arkansas had the fewest rushing attempts in a game since 2018.
The more interesting contest in the state Saturday night was in Arkadelphia, where the longest winning streak in Arkansas college history ended. Harding came in with a 25-game winning streak. The defending national champions in NCAA Division II were ranked No. 1 in the country by the American Football Coaches Association.
Even though Ouachita was also 6-0 and ranked No. 9 in the country, almost no one gave the Tigers a chance. I say “almost” since I’m the only person I know who picked Ouachita to win. And the Tigers did just that, 17-13.
The Bisons had scored 51 touchdowns in their first six games. They scored one last Saturday night at Cliff Harris Stadium, and that was on their first possession. Harding finished with 218 rushing yards. That’s 242 yards below its season average.
In this week’s AFCA poll, Ouachita is No. 5, Harding is No. 7 and 6-1 Southern Arkansas is No. 22.
I went 5-1 on the picks last week to move to 53-5 on the season.
Here are the picks for this week’s games:
Arkansas 34, Mississippi State 23 — Mississippi State hung close to 6-1 Texas A&M last Saturday before falling 34-24. It was the sixth consecutive loss for the Bulldogs, who opened the season with a 56-7 victory over Eastern Kentucky. The losses have been by scores of 30-23 to Arizona State, 41-17 to Toledo, 45-28 to Florida, 35-13 to Texas, 41-31 to Georgia and then the 34-24 loss to the Aggies. This isn’t an Arkansas team that can afford to take anyone for granted. That said, the Razorbacks look to have the better athletes and should be just fine Saturday in Starkville.
Arkansas State 41, Troy 30 — The Red Wolves got a needed road victory on Saturday. They moved to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the Sun Belt Conference with their 44-28 win at 1-6 Southern Mississippi. ASU quarterback Jaylen Raynor was 20 of 31 passing for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Arkansas State needs to take care of business at home this week against a 1-6 Troy squad. Troy’s only victory was 34-12 over Florida A&M. The six losses were by scores of 28-26 to Nevada, 38-17 to Memphis, 38-21 to Iowa, 13-9 to Louisiana-Monroe, 38-17 to Texas State and 25-9 to South Alabama.
UCA 36, North Alabama 28 — The 5-2 Bears have had two weeks to prepare for 3-5 North Alabama, which has won three consecutive games after losing its first five. The five losses were by scores of 37-15 to Southeast Missouri, 40-0 to Memphis, 24-17 to Illinois State, 43-28 to Tennessee-Martin and 28-14 to Tarleton State. The three wins were by scores of 25-16 over West Georgia, 60-14 over Utah Tech and 47-34 over Abilene Christian.
UAPB 17, Mississippi Valley State 15 — The Golden Lions fell to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the SWAC with their 31-21 loss at Grambling on Saturday. They may get some relief this Saturday afternoon in Pine Bluff as an 0-7 Mississippi Valley State squad comes to town. The seven MVSU losses were by scores of 41-21 to Tennessee State, 28-14 to Lamar, 59-8 to Murray State, 66-0 to Nicholls, 42-21 to Alcorn State, 54-17 to Alabama State and 20-10 to Bethune-Cookman.
Harding 31, Southern Arkansas 16 — This is one of the top Division II games in the nation this week as No. 22 visits No. 7. Both teams are 6-1 with their only losses having come to Ouachita. SAU lost to Ouachita in Magnolia by five points, and (as noted above) Harding lost on the road to Ouachita by four points. Southern Arkansas took care of business last Saturday in the Murphy USA Classic at El Dorado with a 42-19 win over 5-2 Henderson. Mulerider quarterback Judd Barton had 163 yards passing and 126 yards rushing. The game is in Searcy, and I expect the defending national champions to bounce back.
Ouachita 35, Arkansas Tech 18 — The Tigers will need to avoid an emotional letdown after such a big victory. Tiger Coach Todd Knight is pretty good about making sure that doesn’t happen since Ouachita was undefeated in the regular season in 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2022. Counting this season and the previous six seasons, Ouachita is now 67-6 in Great American Conference games. Tech fell to 4-3 last Saturday with a 24-13 loss to UAM in Monticello.
Henderson 40, UAM 29 — The Boll Weevils improved to 3-4 with that upset victory over Arkansas Tech. Quarterback Demilon Brown rushed 20 times for 204 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground. Expect the Boll Weevils to come back down to earth this Saturday when they play Henderson in Arkadelphia.
