Arkansas

What Are National Pundits Saying About Arkansas’ Chances at Postseason Play This Fall?

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2024

What Are National Pundits Saying About Arkansas’ Chances at Postseason Play This Fall?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Of course Sam Pittman and his Arkansas Razorbacks are listed as one of 28 power conference teams predicted to miss postseason play in 2024 by 247sports. After falling to 4-8 last season, the Hogs missed postseason play after three consecutive bowl berths which turnsedup the heat in Fayetteville to right the ship.

“Arkansas committed to coach Sam Pittman for another year, but how long would his leash be if he fails to achieve bowl eligibility? His Razorbackss’ win total plummeted last fall for a second year in a row, and their ability to recover from a down season largely hinges on transfer quarterback Taylen Green. If he hits, this could be a .500 squad. But 247Sports and CBS Sports agree that getting to the postseason is a tall order.” -247Sports
– Brad Crawford, Jerry Palm of 247Sports

There is talent on this team, but quality depth is a concern at critical positions. Quarterback Taylen Green impressed during spring ball with better accuracy than what was shown at Boise State. Green’s dual threat abilities will be counted upon as new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s hand-picked leader for lead his scheme.

Linebacker has been a consistent concern during the offseason after losing three major contributors from last season. Most skepticism is due to unknown commodities outside of former 5-star Georgia transfer Xavian Sorey.

Jacksonville State transfer Larry Worth has been somewhat of a surprise given his short stint at the FBS level. His athleticism is a topic defensive coordinator Travis Williams has raved about during fall camp.

At points, Arkansas’ best offense was its special teams with Cam Little booming kicks for from 50+ yards with regularity. Now, with Little in the NFL with Jacksonville, it’ll be up to a group of experienced transfers like Matt Shipley (Hawaii) to fill an important role if the Razorbacks offense goes anemic at times.

Arkansas’ schedule is tough, but that’s totally old news at this point. The Razorbacks start the season with UAPB, a perceived early season victory in Little Rock where many back-ups likely get to shine.

Oklahoma State, however, will welcome Arkansas into Boone Pickens Stadium for the first time since 1978. The Cowboys have college football’s oldest offensive line with seven players who have started a game averaging out at 23.6 years old. Whew, COVID eligibility exceptions ought to become extinct soon.

UAB isn’t the same program it was after being revitalized under Bill Clark after football operations were shuttered in 2014. A road trip to Auburn under second year coach Hugh Freeze will be a tough one before going to Jerry’s World for the finale of a one-sided Southwest Classic rivalry against Texas A&M.

Pittman’s team will need to be 3-2 at best before a huge swing of games inside Razorback Stadium during the meat of its schedule. Ranked teams like Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas come calling with a road game against Mississippi State sandwiched in between.

The Razorbacks will likely be underdogs in every match-up unless they pull off road upsets against either Auburn or the Aggies. There may not be a strong chance to steal a win from any of the playoff contenders visiting Fayetteville, but Arkansas is said to be confident ahead of a monumental year in the sport.

Arkansas’ regular season closes with a non-conference buy-game against Louisiana Tech before traveling to Missouri. The Tigers hope to contend for a spot in the first 12-team playoff and, if still in contention, Drinkwitz and company will be zoned in for the Razorbacks.

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Arkansas

Arkansas Governor joins national A.I. workforce initiative

Published

6 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas Governor joins national A.I. workforce initiative

LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has joined a new national artificial intelligence initiative that launched Thursday, June 25.

RAISE US, started by former Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana and Gina Raimondo, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce is a nonpartisan national organization that will partner with governors, employers, workers and training organizations to help the workforce transition to an AI economy.

“As artificial intelligence transforms America’s economy, we have one clear message: technology should empower people, not replace them. By leveraging our Arkansas LAUNCH initiative, and with the resources and expertise provided by RAISE US, Arkansas will turn that mission into reality. We want the Natural State to be a leader on education, workforce training, and up-skilling, and this new partnership gives us the tools we need to build a model for the entire nation.”

The organization will design and pilot incentives to retrain workers, new approaches to support job transitions, and training models tied to employer demand.

RAISE US launches with more than two dozen American companies and philanthropies and initial state partnerships in Connecticut, Maryland and Utah.

“America has a technology strategy for leading the global AI competition. It does not yet have a people strategy — and we cannot lead without one,” Raimondo, who will serve as CEO of RAISE US, said.

“If we build the best AI systems in the world and leave millions of Americans behind, we won’t have won anything; we’ll have automated our own decline. I believe AI will create new jobs and industries over time, but the transition could be disruptive, and it’s already underway. We shouldn’t fearmonger, but we can’t pretend our training and worker support systems are ready either. It’s time for innovative and practical solutions. This moment demands ambition, urgency, and creativity. We’ve assembled the country’s top companies, best economists, and bipartisan governors at a scale rarely seen — all to advance new ideas and incentives, pilot them with governors and business, and scale what works.”

Governor Sanders is partnering with RAISE US to support Arkansas LAUNCH, an AI-powered career navigation platform that connects students and jobseekers to personalized learning and employer-linked career pathways.

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