Texas Longhorns 10, Georgia Bulldogs 35
A reasonably close 14-10 game quickly morphed into a catastrophic beating in the fourth quarter in Athens as Georgia dropped the hammer on the Horns. I don’t get really despondent after a Texas loss very often, but this one hurts. For lots of reasons, but mostly because I think this was a really important game for this team and Longhorns’ goals in 2025, and also because it just sucks to lose to the same team three times in a 13 month span, no matter how good that other team is. Tough loss, but the Horns were in it for three quarters.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. No. 17 Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns and Razorbacks meet for the 81st time on Saturday in a storied series that dates back to 1894 and which the Horns lead 57-23. The game kicks off at 2:45 p.m. at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium and will be broadcast on ABC. Joe Tessitore with the call, Jesse Palmer with analysis, and Katie George reporting from the sideline. A good crew for those watching on the TV. Coincidentally, the same crew that called last year’s game in Fayetteville. The last time the Hogs came to Austin was 2008, a 52-10 Texas win.
The game can be heard around the world on the Longhorn Radio Network with the Voice of the Longhorns Craig Way, joined by Roger Wallace in the booth and by Will Matthews on the sidelines. Listen in Austin on the Flagship, KVET 1300 AM and 98.1 FM. Listen in San Angelo and the Concho Valley with Mr. McLaughlin on KKSA 1260 AM. Dr. Rubén Pizarro-Silva and Jesus Mendoza with the call in Spanish on certain Longhorn Radio Network affiliates and streaming on the Texas Longhorn App and online. Stream through the Texas Longhorn app or mobile player https://texas.leanplayer.com/.
Some highlights over the years: https://x.com/TexasLonghorns/status/1991627616974156021
The early betting odds, Sunday night:
The odds early Friday morning.
And speaking of odds, the Longhorns have opened as 10.5 point favorites against the Aggies.
College Football Last Weekend
No. 9 Notre Dame 37-15 over No. 22 Pittsburgh, pretty much locking up a playoff spot for the Irish. The South Carolina Gamecocks were shocking No. 3 Texas Agricultural & Mechanical 30-3 at half before the Fightin’ Texas Aggies engineered a stunning comeback to win 31-30. Hat Tip to the Ags – that was impressive. No. 11 Oklahoma beat No. 4 Alabama 23-21.
College Football This Weekend
A dearth of good games this weekend, in particular in the SEC as a number of teams are playing out of conference. No. 22 Missouri at No. 8 Oklahoma, 11:00 a.m. on ABC. No. 15 Southern Cal at No. 7 Oregon, 2:30 p.m. on CBS, should be pretty good, but it is the same time as our Horns. No. 9 Notre Dame hosts Syracuse, also 2:30 (NBC). Pittsburgh at No. 16 Georgia Tech, 6:00 p.m. on ESPN, worth a watch to see Haynes King play. No. 20 Tennessee at Florida 6:30 p.m. on ABC will be a decent game for a Saturday night steak.
2025 Arkansas Razorbacks
The Roster
Arkansas Offense
Taylen Green (No. 10, 6-6, 224 pounds Senior from Lewisville HS, spent 3 seasons at Boise State). Green is a big and fast dual threat quarterback that can give defensive coordinators nightmares and make game-changing plays. He is 182/293 for 2,537 yards and 19 touchdowns. 62.1% completion percentage, averages 8.7 yards per attempt and just under 14 yards per completion. He has thrown 10 interceptions and been sacked 24 times for 199 yards. His QBR is 84.9 (6th in the country, 3rd in the SEC behind Stockton and Pavia) and his Rating is 149.4, good for 20th in the country and 5th in the SEC. In yards per game, #4 in the SEC; 5th in total passing yards; 5th in passing touchdowns; 14th in completion percentage; and 17th in interceptions, tied with Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar. He is the Pigs’ second leading runner, with 719 yards on 124 carries, tied with Mike Washington, Jr. with 7 rushing touchdowns. Last year versus Texas, Green was 17/25 for 149 yards and no touchdowns, intercepted once, and he rushed for minus 4 yards (Texas had 6 sacks). Let’s pray we can do that well with him this year here in Austin. If he is on and we don’t contain him, he could do some damage.
Wide Receivers
Green’s favorite target is O’Mega T. Blake, Sr. (No. 9, Senior, 6-2, 187 pounds, prior stops at South Carolina [3 years] and Charlotte [1]). I don’t know if he has children, but I hope if he has a son that he names him Alpha. Blake has 51 catches for 678 yards and 4 touchdowns. Averages 13.3 yards per catch.
Raylen Sharpe (No. 6, 5-9, 169 pounds, Senior, Allen HS, transfer from Fresno State) has 34 catches for 492 yards and 3 touchdowns. C.J. Brown (No. 3, 6-1, 200 pounds, sophomore) has 24 catches for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns. [Jalen Brown, a sophomore transfer from Florida State, has 12 catches for 167 yards and 2 touchdowns, but is out.]
Tight Ends
Rohan Jones (No. 88, 6-3, 242 pounds, Senior from Montreal, transfer from Montana State) has 13 catches for 411 yards and 4 touchdowns, a stunning 31.6 yards per catch. Of the top 50 receivers in the SEC, the best is Nyck Harbor of South Carolina how averages 20.96 yards per catch. Two of Jones’ touchdowns were 41 yards and 62 yards. He is a load, and the PK-Akina secondary better have a plan. The other tight end is Jaden Platt (No. 6-5, 265 pounds, Eaton HS in Haslet, Texas, transfer from Texas Agricultural & Mechanical), who has 16 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown.
Running Backs
Mike Washington, Jr. (No. 4, 6-2, 228 pounds, Senior, transfer from NMSU) has 140 carries for 913 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He also has 17 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown. Braylen Russell (No. 0, 6-1, 238 pounds, sophomore) has 286 yards and 5 touchdowns on 55 carries, and he is listed as questionable.
Arkansas Defense
Linebackers
Xavian Sorey, Jr. (No. 10, 6-3, 225 pounds, Senior, transfer from Georgia) leads the pigs with 71 tackles (31 solo), has 2.6 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. Stephen Dix, Jr. (No. 14, 6-1, 246 pounds, Senior, transfer from Marshall) is second with 69 tackles (25 solo) and 1 sack. Bradley Shaw (No. 7, 6-1, 237 pounds sophomore) has 43 tackles and 2 sacks.
Defensive Backs
Julian Neal (No. 23, 6-2, 208 pounds, Senior, transfer from Fresno State) has 51 tackles (28 solo), 2 interceptions, and 9 passes defended. Larry Worth III (No. 3, 6-4, 226 pounds, Senior, transfer from Jacksonville State) also has 51 tackles (28 solo). Caleb Wooden (No. 22, 6-1, 195 pounds, Senior, transfer from Auburn) has 51 tackles (32 solo), with 3 passes defended. Miguel Mitchell (No. 16, 6-1, 222 pounds, junior, transfer from Florida) has 47 tackles, a sack and an interception. Kani Walker (No. 13, 6-2, 204 pounds, Senior, transfer from Oklahoma) has 43 tackles, 10 passes defended, and a pick 6. Jordan Young (No. 4, 6 foot, 198 pounds, senior, transfer from Cincinnati) has 26 tackles, an interception, and 5 passes defended.
Defensive Line
Quincy Rhodes, Jr. (No. 97, 6-6, 275 pounds, junior) has 39 tackles and 8 sacks – nearly half the team’s total (20). Justus Boone (No. 0, 6-4, 278 pounds, Senior, transfer from Florida) has 27 tackles and 1 sack. Phillip Lee (No. 1, 6-4, 240 pounds, Senior, transfer from Troy) has 24 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Arkansas Special Teams
Scott Starzyk (freshman from The Woodlands) is 41/41 on extra points and 10/13 on field goals. He’s missed 2 of 5 between 40 and 49 and 1 of 2 longer than 50.
20 key players noted above, and 16 are transfers. Might be a reason for their record. Let’s hope they don’t finally gel on Saturday/
The 2025 Arkansas Season:
Game 1: Arkansas 52, Alabama A&M 7. The Hogs handled the Bulldogs easily in the season opener. Taylen Green was 24/31 for 322 yards and 6 touchdowns and he had 9 carries for 41 yards. QBR of 54.1, RTG of 228.5. Mike Washington, Jr. led in rushing with 79 yards on 9 carries. Arkansas finished with 194 yards on the ground. O’Mega Blake was the leading receiver with 7 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. C.J. Brown had 4 catches for 49 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Shakur Smalls, Julian Neal, and Stephen Dix, Jr. each had 4 tackles, and Smalls had a sack. Rodney Hill had 2 good kick returns – 27 yards and 26 yards.
Game 2: Arkansas State 14, Arkansas 56. Another big game for Taylen Green – 17/26 for 239 yards and 4 touchdowns (2 picks), and he led the Hogs in rushing with 151 yards on 9 carries, with a score. 420 yards of offense is pretty good. QBR of 96.7, RTG of 178. Mike Washington had 9 carries for 116 yards and a score; total of 321 yards rushing. Rohan Jones had 2 catches for 74 yards and a score and O’Mega Blake had 5 catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Xavian Sorey, Jr. led the pig defense with 15 tackles and an interception. Julian Neal had 11 tackles and a pick, and Stephen Dix, Jr. had 10 tackles.
630 yards for the Razorbacks, 285 yards for the Red Wolves.
This was the last game Arkansas won, as the Hogs are 0-8 since then.
Game 3: Arkansas 35, No. 18 Ole Miss 41 in Oxford. Taylen Green: 22/35 for 305 yards and a touchdown, plus 115 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. 8.2 yards per carry. QBR of 96.3, RTG of 145.5. Mike Washington, Jr. added 65 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 carries, including a 47 yard run. O’Mega Blake had 6 catches for 81 yards and a score.
Stephen Dix, Jr. had 9 tackles, but Arkansas gave up 357 yards passing and 118 yards rushing, in a game started by Trinidad Chambliss in his first start (I think).
It was a wild first half – 59 points (Ole Miss led 31-28) and the teams combined for 634 yards of offense.
Game 4: Arkansas 31, Memphis Tigers 32, in Memphis. This was a great win for Memphis and the beginning of the end for Coach Sam Pittman. Taylen Green was 18/34 for 325 yards and a score (a 62 yard touchdown pass to Rohan Jones on the third play of the game), but Green was picked off twice and only gained 53 yards on 12 rushes. QBR of 71.2, RTG of 131.2. Mike Washington, Jr. had 15 carries for 70 yards and a score, and Braylen Russell added 47 and a score. Rohan Jones had a 5 yard rushing touchdown plus the 62 yard touchdown catch (102 yards receiving total).
Larry Worth III led Arky with 9 tackles. Quincy Rhodes Jr. had 6 tackles, all solo, and 2 sacks (4 TFL). Julian Neal and Miguel Mitchell both had interceptions. But Memphis finished with 489 yards, 290 of that on the ground, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Memphis won the turnover battle (3 to 2) and penalties (3 for 20 yards while the pigs had 7 for 55).
Game 5: No. 22 Notre Dame 56, Arkansas 13, in FayetteNam. The Fighting Irish lit up the Hogs – 341 yards passing and 210 rushing. Taylen Green was 17/32 for 207 yards and a pick, rushed for 81 yards on 10 carries, QBR of 64, RTG of 101.2. Mike Washington, Jr. had 63 yards on 10 carries. The lone pig touchdown was Shaq McRoy’s 1 yard touchdown run in the second quarter. O’Mega Blake had 6 catches for 73 yards, Raylen Sharpe 5 for 42.
C.J. Carr was 22/30 for 354 yards and 4 touchdowns, QBR of 98.1. Jeremiyah Love had just 57 rushing yards and 2 scores on 14 carries and had 5 catches for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Miguel Mitchell led the Hogs with 12 tackles, Julian Neal had 8, and Larry Worth III and Stephen Dix, Jr. each had 7.
Notre Dame never punted, and the Irish shut out the Razorbacks in the second half. The next day, Arkansas fired Sam Pittman.
Game 6: Arkansas 31, No 12 Tennessee 34, in Knoxville. Taylen Green had a great game, much better than the Vols’ Joey Aguilar. Green was 21/31 for 256 yards passing and 2 touchdowns, and he had 63 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, QBR of 93.6, RTG of 158.4. Green fumbled 3 times, losing 2 of them. Mike Washington, Jr. pounded out 131 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Raylen Sharpe had 7 catches for 76 yards, O’Mega Blake had 5 for 65. Kam Shanks and Rohan Jones had the touchdown catches.
Aguilar was 16/25 for 221 yards and a score, and DeSean Bishop had 146 of Tennessee’s 264 yards on the ground.
Stephen Dix, Jr. led Arkansas with 11 tackles. Zavian Sory, Jr. had 8, and Larry Worth II and Miguel Mitchell each had 7 tackles.
Game 7: No. 3 Texas Agricultural & Mechanical 45, Arkansas 42, in Fayetteville. Another great game for Green and another close loss for the Hogs. Green was 19/32 for 256 yards with 3 touchdowns and ran for 85 yards and 2 touchdowns on 12 carries. QBR of 95.9, RTG of 157.5. Mike Washington, Jr. had 147 yards on 16 carries, 9.2 ypc. O’Mega Blake had 7 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown (36 yards), and Rohan Jones had 2 catches for 52 yards (and a 2-point conversion). C.J. Brown and Jaden Platt had the other 2 touchdown catches.
The Aggies had 217 yards and 3 touchdowns rushing. Marcel Reed was 23/32 for 280 yards and 3 scores, and he had 55 yards on the ground (including a 46 yard run) and a touchdown.
Xavian Sorey, Jr. had 11 tackles. Larry Worth III had 6. Julian Neal, Caleb Wooden, and Cameron Ball each had 5 tackles.
As we know from watching the Aggies last weekend, they are one helluva football team. The fact that the Pigs played them this close tells you how close the Pigs are to getting a win.
Game 8: Auburn 33, Arkansas 24. Remarkably, Arkansas’ worst SEC loss came against a winless (in SEC) Auburn Tiger team. Taylen Green’s 3 interceptions (1 was a pick 6) and O’Mega Blake’s fumble hurt the Hogs. Green finished 14/22 for 268 yards and 1 touchdown and just 14 yards rushing on 7 carries (and that include a 10 yard run). QBR of 63.6, RTG of 153.7. Mike Washington, Jr. managed just 41 yards on 12 carries. Rohan Jones was the leading receiver with 3 catches for 127 yards, including a 50 yarder. Raylen Sharpe had 2 for 63, including one that went for 58 yards.
Stephen Dix, Jr. had 12 tackles, Caleb Wooden had 10, and Kani Walker and Bradley Shaw each had 9. Walker had a 89 yard pick 6 against Jackson Arnold who got benched.
Arkansas led 21-10 at halftime, but Ashton Daniels, who replaced Arnold, had a good game, leading the Tigers on 3 second half scoring drives. Auburn controlled the ball – 37:40 TOP to just 22:20 for Arkansas. That’s how you limit Taylen Green – control the ball. Bookmark that.
Game 9: Mississippi State 38, Arkansas 35, in Fayetteville. Taylen Green was just 19/31 for 194 yards and a score, ran for 46 and a touchdown on 17 carries. QBR for 53.7, RTG of 124.5. Mike Washington, Jr. had 116 yards and a score on 19 carries. Raylen Sharpe had 5 receptions for 84 yards. Rohan Jones had the only touchdown catch.
Bradley Shaw had 8 tackles. Miguel Mitchell and Quincy Rhodes, Jr. each had 6 tackles, and Rhodes had 4.5 TFL with a sack. Jordan Young had an interception for the Hogs.
Game 10: Arkansas 22, Louisiana State 23, in Baton Rouge. Another tough game for Taylen Green who was 11/19 for 165 yards, no scores passing, and 2 interceptions, although he did rush for 70 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, including a big 55-yard run (QBR of 67.6, RTG of 109.8). Mike Washington, Jr. had 13 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown, but also had another fumble. Raylen Sharpe had 4 catches for 65 yards.
Stephen Dix, Jr., Caleb Wooden, and Xavian Sorey, Jr. each had 7 tackles, and Dix and Sorey each got a sack.
LSU got the go-ahead touchdown with just 8 minutes to play, and Arkansas missed a potential game winning 48 yard field goal with 5 left in the game.
Arkansas has been so close in so many games. 1 score losses to Ole Miss, to Memphis and LSU (both just 1 point), to No. 12 Tennessee (3 points), to No. 4 Texas Agricultural & Mechanical (3 points), and Mississippi State (3 points). They have lost 6 Southeastern Conference games by a total of 25 points. Despite their record, this is not a bad football team, and definitely an offense which can find its footing when Green is on.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Longhorns
The Statistics
The first ranking is national, the second is SEC.
Offense
Statistic |
Texas |
Arkansas |
| Rushing Offense | #103, #12 – 124.1 ypg | #18, #2 – 205.4 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #50, #7 – 246.6 ypg | #33, #5 – 264.6 ypg |
| Total Offense | #80, #10 – 370.7 ypg | #13, #3 – 470.0 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #68, #11 – 27.6 ppg | #25, #6 – 34.1 ppg |
| First Downs | #108, #15 – 18.2/game | #20, #6 – 23.4/game |
| Sacks Allowed | #86, #8 – 21, 121 yards | #102, #13 – 24, 199 yards |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | #106, #11 – 61, 237 yards | #51, #6 – 50, 261 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #82, #13 – 38.6% | #16, #3 – 49.1% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #98, #15 – 46.7% (7/15) | #77, #10 – 53.3% (8/15) |
| Touchdowns | #70, #10 – 33 total, 23 RZ | #24, #7 – 44 total, 32 RZ |
| Red Zone Attempts | #55, #10 – 39 | #44, #6 – 41 |
| Red Zone Offense | #85, #13 – 82% / 59% | #27, #3 – 90% / 78% |
| Long Run Plays | #110, #13 – 36/10, 6/20, 4/30, 1/40 | #4, #1 – 76/10, 25/20, 13/30, 9/40 |
| Long Pass Plays | #44, #8 – 98/10, 32/20, 19/30, 9/40 | #25, #5 – 107/10, 42/20, 19/30, 7/40 |
| Long Punt Returns | #3, #1 – 7/20, 6/30, 6/40, 2/50 | #70, #10 – 1/20 -0- |
Defense
Statistic |
Texas |
Arkansas |
Rushing Defense |
#6, #2 – 83.2 ypg | #115, #15 – 181.2 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #91, #12 – 234.7 ypg | #108, #15 – 245.3 ypg |
| Total Defense | #23, #5 – 317.9 ypg | #123, #16 – 426.5 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #15, #3 – 18.3 ppg | #121, #16 – 32.3 ppg |
| First Downs Allowed | #39, #7 – 18.2/game | #131, #16 – 23.8/game |
| Sacks | #3, #3 – 36, 225 yards | #72, #11 – 20, 140 yards |
| Tackles for Loss | #14, #5 – 70, 312 yards | #55, #8 – 58, 219 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #27, #5 – 34.0% | #108, #16 – 43.0% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #10, #1 – 34.8% (8/23) | #129, #16 – 71.4% (10/14) |
| Red Zone Attempts | #9, #1 – 22 | #124, #16 – 45 |
| Red Zone Defense | #48, #7 – 82% / 68% | #115, #14 – 89% / 62% |
| Long Run Plays Allowed | #16, #4 – 30/10, 5/20, 1/30, -0- | #131, #16 – 67/10, 17/20, 5/30, 2/40 |
| Long Pass Plays Allowed | #95, #12 – 92/10, 30/20, 10/30, 6/40 | #114, #13 – 101/10, 41/20, 18/30, 8/40 |
Other
Statistic |
Texas |
Arkansas |
| Turnovers | #8, #2 – 8 (1F, 7I) | #122, #16 – 18 (8F, 10I) |
| Turnover Margin | #12, #1 – 16:8 +8 | #129, #16 – 8:18 -10 |
| Penaltiesπ | #135, #16 – 82, 653 yards | #93, #8 – 68, 618 yards |
πBased on total number of penalties.
TCT – Texas next to last. Georgia State has 88 penalties.
Match-up Comparison
Texas Offense |
Arkansas Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 124.1 ypg | 181.2 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 246.6 ypg | 245.3 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense -370.7 ypg | 426.5 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 27.6 ppg | 32.3 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 18.2/game | 23.8/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 38.6% | 43.0% – 3rd Down Defense |
| 4th Down Offense – 46.7% | 71.4% – 4th Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 82% / 59% | 89% / 62% – Red Zone Defense |
| LRP – 36/10, 6/20, 4/30, 1/40 | 67/10, 17/20, 5/30, 2/40 – LRP Allowed |
| LPP – 98/10, 32/20, 19/30, 9/40 | 101/10, 41/20, 18/30, 8/40 – LPP Allowed |
Texas Defense |
Arkansas Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 83.2 ypg | 205.4 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 234.7 ypg | 264.6 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 317.9 ypg | 470.0 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 18.3 ppg | 34.1 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 18.2/game | 23.4/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 34% | 49.4% – 3rd Down Offense |
| 4th Down Defense – 34.8% | 53.3% – 4th Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 82% / 68% | 90% / 78% – Red Zone Offense |
| LRP Allowed – 30/10, 5/20, 1/30, -0- | 76/10, 25/20, 13/30, 9/40 – LRP |
| LPP Allowed – 92/10, 30/20, 10/30, 6/40 | 107/10, 42/20, 19/30, 7/40 – LPP |
BCF Toys
| FEI | OFEI | DFEI | SFEI – Adj | |
| Texas | No. 20: 0.74 | No. 44: 0.10 | No. 15: 0.52 | No. 5: 0.15 |
| Arkansas | No. 39: 0.43 | No. 13: 0.53 | No. 88: -0.11 | No. 68: 0.0 |
| NAY | OAY | DAY | |
| Texas | No. 39: 0.069 | No. 74: 0.455 | No. 21: 0.387 |
| Arkansas | No. 63: 0.002 | No. 21: 0.583 | No. 120: 0.580 |
| NPD | OPD | DPD | |
| Texas | No. 22: 1.02 | No. 54: 2.42 | No. 11: 1.40 |
| Arkansas | No. 9: 1.49 | No. 6: 3.47 | No. 46: 1.97 |
| NPP | OPP | DPP | |
| Texas | No. 55: 0.29 | No. 83: 5.40 | No. 29: 5.11 |
| Arkansas | No. 46: 0.54 | No. 5: 7.18 | No. 120: 6.64 |
| PVE | OVE | DVE | SVE | |
| Texas | No. 28: 0.41 | No. 69: -0.09 | No. 17: 0.42 | No. 8: 0.11 |
| Arkansas | No. 83: -0.15 | No. 25: 0.26 | No. 129: -0.39 | No. 17: 0.08 |
BCF’s F+ ratings (Brian Fremeau’s FEI ratings combined with Bill Connelly’s SP+ ratings).
| F+ | OF+ | DF+ | SF+ | |
| Texas | No. 16: 1.33 | No. 43: 0.59 | No. 7: 1.66 | No. 10: 1.39 |
| Arkansas | No. 7: 1.75 | No. 4: 1.82 | No. 18: 1.12 | No. 101: -0.04 |
BCF Game Projection:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Texas | Arkansas | .723 | 8.7 | 32.5 | 23.8 | 56.4 |
PFF
Texas’ overall rating is 91.6, placing the Horns at No. 12. Arkansas’ overall rating is 84.8, placing it at No. 50. The numbers below are just the PFF grades.
| Offense | Passing | Pass Blocking | Receiving | Run | Run Blocking | |
| UT | 79.1 | 81.9 | 64.6 | 76.3 | 81.0 | 66.5 |
| Pigs | 81.2 | 72.9 | 72.7 | 74.2 | 93.7 | 58.8 |
The Razorback rushing offense is the highest graded in FBS.
| Defense | Run D | Tackling | Pass Rush | Coverage | |
| UT | 92.2 | 93.2 | 87.5 | 87.4 | 82.9 |
| Pigs | 87.2 | 92.4 | 91.6 | 61.3 | 72.7 |
Special Teams: Texas has a 79.4 grade and is ranked 41st. Arkansas, a 70.0 grade and ranked 98th.
Parker Fleming’s Advanced Stats Preview
All the terms here: CFB GRAPHS – College Football Analytics
Official Game Notes from The University:
11 Arkansas – University of Texas Athletics
Week 12 Notes from the SEC:
https://www.secsports.com/football-weekly-release
There is actually some interesting stuff in the SEC Weekly Release. Check out
Preview:
On Texas Football:
SEC Unfiltered:
SEC Student Availability Report
The ESPN Matchup Predictor
TCT Thoughts
I will admit up front that the early odds (Texas by 10.5) and the computer projections heavily in favor of the Horns had me very optimistic. But when I dug into the Arkansas season and the statistics, I started getting pretty nervous. Still am. The Arkansas defense has not been good, but it has been just good enough to keep them in every SEC game, and the offense is (or can be) pretty good.
The Arkansas offense versus the Texas defense will likely come down to two things. First, containment on Taylen Green. Even without Anthony Hill, Jr. (hopefully he can play), the Texas front 7 should be able to do that. We did it last year. Second, better pass defense. Last chance to figure things out before the Aggies and Marcel Reed come to Austin. The Razorback receivers, especially O’Mega T. Blake Sr. and Rohan Jones, pose a threat to the system PK insists on sticking with. Hopefully Simmons and Moore and some blitzers can keep enough pressure on Green to limit the passing game. I trust the rush defense – absolutely the best phase of this Texas team. So pressure Green, make them run the ball, and keep them under 30 points.
The most fundamental piece missing from this Texas team is a running game. I think it was the underlying cause of the Georgia loss. But it should not be the issue this week. Arkansas’ run defense is ranked 115th. They are 107th in yards per carry at 4.66, and 111th in rushing touchdowns allowed (20). This is the game for the line and the Sark and the running backs to get going. We need it this Saturday, and we are sure going to need it on the day after Thanksgiving.
The Arkansas pass defense is not much better. 108th at 245.3 yards per game. 119th at 8.1 yards per attempt. A real chance for Arch Manning to have a big day. That of course, means that the other guys with burnt orange jerseys on have to catch and hold on to the balls that are thrown to them. This is a chance to put up some big numbers, and a chance to be proficient and efficient.
As nervous as I am, I still think Texas wins on Saturday. Beat the Hogs and get ready for our other great Southwest Conference rivals, the Fighting Texas Aggies of Texas Agricultural & Mechanical.
I will go with Texas 41, Arkansas 27.
History
History of The Hate
Looking back over the decades between 1969 and the Razorback departure to the SEC, the rivalry was one which regularly featured nationally ranked teams. The game often determined the outcome of the season for one or both of the contestants – a Southwest Conference Championship on the line, and a few times that national title at stake.
I have always liked the nickname for the Georgia-Georgia Tech game, which is “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate”. As I wrote last year, we could easily give our rivalry with the Ozark Pigs the name “Mean Old-Fashioned Hate”.
| Year | Longhorns | Hogs | Score |
| 1969 – Fayetteville | No. 1 Texas | No. 2 Arkansas | W – 15-4 |
| 1970 – Austin | No. 1 Texas | No. 4 Arkansas | W – 42-7 |
| 1971 – Little Rock | No. 10 Texas | No. 16 Arkansas | L – 7-31 |
| 1972 – Austin | No. 15 Texas | No. 17 Arkansas | W – 35-15 |
| 1973 – Fayetteville | Texas | Arkansas | W – 34-6 |
| 1974 – Austin | No. 16 Texas | Arkansas | W – 38-7 |
| 1975 – Fayetteville | No. 8 Texas | No. 20 Arkansas | W – 24-18 |
| 1976 – Austin | Texas | Arkansas | W – 29-12 |
| 1977 – Fayetteville | No. 2 Texas | No. 8 Arkansas | W – 13-9 |
| 1978 – Austin | No. 8 Texas | No. 3 Arkansas | W – 28-21 |
| 1979 – Little Rock | No. 2 Texas | No. 10 Arkansas | L – 14-17 |
| 1980 – Austin | No. 10 Texas | No. 6 Arkansas | W – 23-17 |
| 1981 – Fayetteville | No. 1 Texas | Arkansas | L – 11-42 |
| 1982 – Austin | No. 12 Texas | No. 6 Arkansas | W – 33-7 |
| 1983 – Little Rock | No. 2 Texas | Arkansas | W – 31-3 |
| 1984 – Austin | No. 3 Texas | Arkansas | W – 24-18 |
| 1985 – Fayetteville | Texas | No. 4 Arkansas | W – 15-13 |
| 1986 – Austin | Texas | No. 14 Arkansas | L – 14-21 |
| 1987 – Little Rock | Texas | No. 15 Arkansas | W – 16-14 |
| 1988 – Austin | Texas | No. 17 Arkansas | L – 24-27 |
| 1989 – Fayetteville | Texas | No. 7 Arkansas | W – 24-20 |
| 1990 – Austin | No. 19 Texas | Arkansas | W – 46-17 |
| 1991 – Fayetteville | Texas | Arkansas | L – 13-14 |
The Game of The Century
I have watched the replay of 1969 game between Texas and Arkansas countless times. One of the many things I miss about the Longhorn Network. The voices of Chris Schenkel and Bud Wilkinson will forever be tied to that game in my memory. The sight of Marine 1 landing and President Richard Milhous Nixon arriving to watch the game.
To the left of President Nixon in the photo are Arkansas Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt and Arkansas Governor Winthrop Rockefeller, to the right Arkansas Senators J. William Fulbright and John Little McClellan, and that is Texas Congressman George H.W. Bush looking toward the camera.
In the Centennial Year of College Football, this game was pushed to the first weekend in December, and ABC got to televise what was to be the National Championship game on a cold (38 degrees) rainy day in “the foothills of the Ozarks”. The Game lived up to the hype. If for some reason you have not seen the documentary of the 1969 season and team on the Longhorn Network, watch it. The interviews with the players are magnificent.
There are many videos you can find on the internet, but this is a good one, and just 6 and a half minutes.
All of the game, and better quality, but condensed down to an hour and a half. Worth your time, if you have it!
The University of Arkansas
The Arkansas Industrial University was founded in 1871 as Morrill Land-Grant college.
Academic Rankings |
||
National |
||
Texas |
Arkansas |
|
| Forbes | 46 | 158 |
| U.S. News & World Report | 30 | 183 |
| Washington Monthly | 98 | 295 |
| WSJ/College Pulse | 41 | 392 |
Global |
||
| ARWU | 45 | 501-600 |
| QS | 68 (#4 U.S. Publics) | 1001-1200 |
| THE | 50 | 601-800 |
| U.S. News & World Report | 65 | 806 |
Famous alumni include a bunch of the Walton family (the store, not the TV show), Senator J. William Fulbright, and James O. McKinsey (founded McKinsey & Company). John Daly, the great pitcher Cliff Lee, Lance Alworth, Jimmy Johnson, Sidney Moncrief, and quite a few other athletes. Other alumni include Jerry Jones and Barry Switzer.
Michael Huff
One of the great Longhorn safeties of all time, Michael Huff, is going into the College Football Hall of Fame. Huff is engaged with the team, and we are lucky to have him around helping the Longhorns as an alum. He will be recognized Saturday. Huff won the Thorpe Award, helped the Longhorns win the 2005 National Championship, and played 8 seasons in the NFL.
Texas Longhorns 10, Georgia Bulldogs 35
I could not have been more wrong with my analysis and game prediction except for one unfortunate note – I said Georgia would score 34 points. That my thought process led me to believe that Texas would score 4 more touchdowns than they did, well, I was very wrong. It happens.
Quite a few folks were surprised by the Thursday morning arrival of the Dispatch. The early publication was not, however, due to a trip east to Georgia. Rather, we were headed to California for a wedding, and with all the air travel issues, moved our departure up a day earlier for cushion. It all worked out fine, we had a great time in LA (thanks again for lunch Art – that cheesesteak was amazing), and Graham and Dom’s wedding was beautiful and fun.
Kickoff in Athens was 7:49 p.m. Eastern time, and the wedding was at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time. You can do the math. Lew Little, Bill Burke, Bob Kay, and I stole glances at our phones after the service when we could. I was able to watch on that tiny screen some of the second half. But not enough to appreciate and understand the game that well. From what I could watch, and what I have read and watched since, Arch Manning had a pretty darn good game. But dropped balls and penalties hampered the Horns. Until Texas finally found the endzone (thank you Arch) to close the gap to 10-14. That Texas score was answered by the 73 yard touchdown drive (21-10), the onside kick and touchdown drive (28-10), a minus 4 yards three and out for the Horns (who started at the 11 after Moore decided to run the kickoff back), and then the 33 yard touchdown drive to add an exclamation point to the beatdown, 35-10 Georgia.
Many times, I will go back and rewatch a game or watch various highlight reels. Not this week. Just couldn’t do it. Read some articles, looked at the stats. Spent a lot of time communicating with friends. But, I can’t write an honest play by play breakdown of the game, and so I won’t. Just some observations.
On the first drive, Texas had 33 yards rushing – 30 from Quintrevion Wisner on 5 carries. Texas would finish the game with 23 yards rushing. Quintrevion got 4 more touches after that first drive and gained 7 yards. Baxter did not get another carry. One way or another, Texas has to figure out a way to run the ball. I averred in last week’s Dispatch that we would perhaps see more RPO on offense – and more Runs from Arch. Manning finished with 5 official carries for minus 17 yards – I think most of that on 3 sacks. Not sure. Our speed weapon Wingo had 2 rushes for zero yards. This is problematic.
Gunner Stockton is a very good quarterback. Going into the Texas game, he was completing 69.4% of his passes and had thrown for 15 touchdowns in 9 games (less than 2 per game). Saturday night in Athens, he was 24/29 (82.76%) and threw for 4 touchdowns. I suggest that was not just because he happened to be “on” that night.
The onside kick was one of the great coaching calls you will see. If it fails, Texas gets the ball and is probably right back in the game. You succeed and score, you are hero. Kirby Smart knew that game wasn’t over after the score was 21-10, but he gambled and won, and the fat lady was ready to sing 5 minutes later.
Another simple but great coaching decision by Kirby Smart: don’t punt to Niblett. Ryan had zero punt returns. Smart neutralized one of our weapons.
One post on X noted that Sarkisian is 32-3 against teams other than Ohio State and Georgia in the last 3 years. Ohio State was 11-2 in 2023, 14-2 in 2024 and won the National Championship, and is 10-0 this year. Georgia was 13-1 and 8-0 in the SEC in 2023, losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game (and missing the playoffs). The Bulldogs were 11-3 (6-2, losses to Alabama and Ole Miss) in 2024, and of course beat Texas in the SEC CG before losing to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl CFP game. Five losses to 2 teams in less than 14 months hurts, but this is just one of those humps that has to be overcome. I think Steve Sarkisian can and will do that.
Evan Vieth, who writes for Inside Texas, observed that the game came down to this sequence of 5 plays: Colin Simmons jumping offsides on 4th and 5; then Frazier gains 7; Stockton completes a 7 yard pass to Chauncey Bowens; then the coverage breaks down and Stockton hits Humphreys for a 30 yard touchdown. 21-10, and then the onside kick. I think that is a fair assessment.
I would add to that the 10 yard pass to Bowens on fourth and 1 at the Georgia 36 to keep the drive alive.
Texas has a penalty problem. 9 flags for 58 yards, some critical. Especially on the Niblett kick return. Georgia was penalized once for 15 yards. As noted above, Texas is now next to last in FBS in penalties (82) and penalties per game (8.2). Texas has gifted opposing teams 653 yards this season.
Not counting end of half and end of game, Texas had three really bad drives: 3 plays, 1 yard; 4 plays 35 yards; 3 plays minus 2 yards; 3 plays minus 4 yards. That’s a third of those drives.
Tough loss. Let’s beat the Hogs and the Aggies.
Highlights from ESPN, about 19 minutes.
Gratitude
In this season of intentional gratitude, Joe “Ivan” Young shared a C.S. Lewis quote, and I thought it most appropriate for our Juan Heisman Tailgate Crew and for the gift of all of our friends.
“In friendship…we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another…the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting–any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” can truly say to every group of Christian friends, “Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.” The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.”
– C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
Week Thirteen in the Southeastern Conference
Samford (1-10) at No. 3 Texas Agricultural & Mechanical (10-0, 7-0), 11:00 a.m. on SEC+ from Kyle Field in College Station. No line on ESPNBet.
No. 22 Missouri (7-3, 3-3) at No. 8 Oklahoma (8-2, 4-2), 6:30 p.m. on ABC from Norman. The Land Thieves are favored by 6.5, over/under is 42.5. Sooners to win and cover. BCF Projection:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Land Thieves | Missouri | .694 | 7.4 | 25.8 | 18.4 | 44.2 |
Charlotte (1-9) at No. 4 Georgia (9-1), 11:45 a.m. on the SEC Network from Sanford Stadium in Athens. Man, I am so glad we don’t have one of these cupcake games in November.
Eastern Illinois (3-8) at No. 10 Alabama (8-2), 1:00 p.m. on SEC+ from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Mercer at Auburn (4-6), 1:00 p.m. on SEC+ from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn.
Kentucky (5-5, 2-5) at No. 14 Vanderbilt (8-2, 4-2), 2:30 p.m. on ESPN from Nashville. Vandy favored by 8.5 over Wildcats. Commodores to win and cover.
Coastal Carolina (6-4) at South Carolina (3-7), 3:15 p.m. on the SEC Network from Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. Gamecocks favored by 24.5, over/under is 50.5. Go Cocks. The Chanticleers irritate me for some reason.
No. 20 Tennessee (7-3, 3-3) at Florida (3-7, 2-5), 6:30 p.m. on ABC from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. Volunteers favored by 4.5 over the Gators, over/under is 57.5. BCF Projection:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Tennessee | Florida | .691 | 7.3 | 29.0 | 21.7 | 50.8 |
Western Kentucky (8-2) at Louisiana State (5-4, 2-4), 6:45 p.m. on the SEC Network from Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Unlike a lot of the other games, at least this is a night game at a great stadium and the Tigers will be partying all day and having fun. Tigers favored by 21.5, over/under is 50.5. Tigers to win and cover.
Week Thirteen: Service Academies
Tulsa (3-7, 0-6) at Army (5-4, 3-3), 11:00 a.m. on CBSSN from Michie Stadium in West Point. The Black Knights will get bowl-eligible this weekend. Army favored by 9.5, over/under is 45.5.
New Mexico (7-3, 4-2) at Air Force (3-7, 2-4), 6:00 p.m. on CBSSN from Falcon Stadium in El Paso County. Lobos favored by 3.5, over/under is 54.5. Tough year for Air Force.
Top 25 – Week Thirteen
Rutgers (5-5, 2-5 at No. 1 Ohio State (10-0, 7-0), 11:00 a.m. on FOX from Ohio Stadium in Columbus. One last game for the Buckeyes before that Team from Up North breaks their hearts again. Ohio State favored by 32.5, over/under is 55.5.
No. 13 Miami (FL) (8-2, 4-2) at Virginia Tech (3-7, 2-4), 11:00 a.m. on ESPN from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. Canes favored by 18.5, over/under is 48.5. I think the James Franklin hire was a good one for the Hokies. Hope they take down Miami as a welcoming gift.
No. 15 Southern Cal (8-2, 6-1) at No. 7 Oregon (9-1, 6-1), 2:30 p.m. on CBS from Autzen Stadium. A big game for both teams, as the Trojans try to keep some semblance of hope for a playoff spot alive and the Ducks want to stay in the second spot in the conference for championship game aspirations. Ducks favored by 10.5 over the Trojans, over/under is 59.5 Fight On. ✌️ BCF Projection:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Oregon | Southern Cal | .788 | 11.8 | 36.0 | 24.2 | 60.1 |
Syracuse (3-7) at No. 9 Notre Dame (8-2), 2:30 p.m. on the stations of the National Broadcasting Corporation and streaming on 🦚. Fighting Irish favored by 35.5, over/under is 50.5. Notre Dame to win, but more than 7 touchdowns is a huge line. Irish will have to get lucky to cover. BCF Projection:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Notre Dame | Orange | .990 | 34.4 | 40.4 | 6.0 | 46.3 |
No. 24 Tulane (8-2, 5-1) Temple (5-5, 3-3), 2:45 p.m. on ESPNU from the Linc in Philly. Green Wave favored by 9.5, over/under is 54.5. I like Tulane in this one.
Kansas State (5-5, 4-3) at No. 12 Utah (8-2, 5-2). 3:00 p.m. on ESPN2 from Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. Utes favored by 17.5, over/under is 51.5. Utah to win, Wildcats to cover.
No. 18 Michigan (8-2, 6-1) at Maryland (4-6, 1-6), 3:00 p.m. on BTN. Wolverines favored by 13.5, over/under is 46.5. Big Blue to win and cover.
Texas Christian (6-4, 3-4) at No. 23 Houston (8-2, 5-2), 3:00 p.m. on FOX from what used to John O’Quinn Field. Cougars favored by 1.5, over/under is 54.5. Houston’s time in the top 25 may be short-lived. Frogs to win. BCF Projection:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Texas Christian | Houston | .559 | 2.1 | 27.7 | 25.6 | 53.3 |
Pittsburgh (7-3, 5-1) at No. 16 Georgia Tech (9-1, 6-1), 6:00 p.m. on ESPN from Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. Huge game for ACC standings and for playoff hopes for the Yellow Jackets. I hope Haynes King has a big game for the Rambling Wreck. Georgia Tech favored by 2.5, over/under is 61.5.
No. 21 Illinois (7-3, 4-3) at Wisconsin (3-7, 1-6), 6:30 p.m. on BTN from Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Illini favored by 8.5, over/under is 41.5.
No. 11 Brigham Young (9-1, 6-1) at Cincinnati (7-3, 5-2), 7:00 p.m. on FOX from Nippert Stadium. Cougars favored by 2.5 over the Bearcats. Over/under is 55.5. BYU to win and cover.
No. 25 Arizona State (7-3, 5-2) at Colorado (3-7, 1-6), 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2 from Folsom Field in Boulder. Really tough year for Coach Prime and the Buffs. And it is going to be a tough Saturday night for them. Sun Devils favored by 7.5, over/under is 468.5. ASU to win and cover.
Other Games of Interest – Week Thirteen
Wednesday night, the Miami Redhawks got their 6th win, 37-20 over Buffalo. Miami is tied for second in the MAC, so still a shot at Indianapolis.
Friday
Florida State (5-5) at North Carolina State (5-5), 7:00 p.m. on ESPN from Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. Seminoles favored by 6.5, over/under is 59.5/
Saturday
Louisville (7-3, 4-3) at Southern Methodist (7-3, 4-3), 11:00 a.m. on ESPN2 from Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. Mustangs favored by 2.5, over/under is 51.5. Go Ponies.
New Mexico State (3-7, 1-5) at UTEP (2-8, 1-5), 2:00 p.m. on ESPN+ from the Sun Bowl. The Miners are favored by 3.5, over/under is 44.5.
East Carolina (7-3, 5-1) at UT San Antonio (5-5, 3-3), 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+ from the Alamodome. Pirates favored by 2.5, over/under is 62.5. Birds Up.
Louisiana Monroe (3-7, 1-5) at Texas State (4-6, 1-5), 4:00 p.m. on ESPN+. Bobcats favored by 19.5.
Nebraska (7-3) at Penn State (4-6), 6:00 p.m. on NBC from Beaver Stadium. Nittany Lions favored by 7.5. GBR.
California (6-4) at Leland Stanford Junior University (3-7), 6:30 p.m. on the ACC Network from the Farm. Big Game No. 128. Cal and Stanford first met in 1892, the oldest college football rivalry in the West. Herbert Hoover helped organize the first game. The Cardinal leads the series 65-51-11. One of college football’s most famous plays, simply called The Play. So weird that this is an Atlantic Coast Conference game. Golden Bears favored by 3.5, over/under is 47.5.
North Texas (9-1) at Rice (5-5), 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU. If any of y’all in Houston don’t have plans Saturday night, I suggest heading to Rice Stadium to see this game and the North Texas offense. Mean Green favored by 18.5, over/under is 55.5. UNT to win and cover.
Washington (7-3) at UCLA (3-7), 9:30 p.m. on NBC from the Rose Bowl. Huskies favored by 10.5.
San Jose State (3-7) at San Diego State (8-2), 9:30 p.m. on FS1. Aztecs favored by 12.5.
Virginia Tech (3-6) at Florida State (4-5), 6:30 p.m. on the ACC Network from Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. Seminoles favored by 13.5. FSU to win.
The UTRGV Vaqueros (8-3, 4-3) have East Texas A&M (3-8, 3-4) in Edinburg. 5:00 p.m. on ESPN +.
All the games and schedule here: College Football Scores – FBS 2025 Season – ESPN
Bill Connelly’s SP+ Picks
Bill gives Texas a 73% chance of winning, and he projects the score to be Texas 33, Arkansas 23.
Juan Heisman Tailgate
We will be back in Lot 38 Saturday for the penultimate tailgate party of the year. A big one. Lamb chops, venison sausage, red wine courtesy of Kent Lance, Tito’s Homemade Vodka, and plenty of cold beer on what should be a beautiful day in Austin Texas.
Texas Men’s Basketball
The Texas Longhorns have won 4 in a row after the opening loss to Duke, including 71-55 over the Kansas City Roos last Saturday and 99-65 over Rider Tuesday night. The Horns are headed to Hawaii to play in the prestigious Maui Invitational. First game is Monday night at 10:30 p.m. against Arizona State, ESPN2. Texas will play the winner of Chaminade and Washington State on Tuesday.
Texas Women’s Basketball
The No. 4 Horns are 5-0, including an 85-56 win over No. 24 Richmond. The will be in Las Vegas for Thanksgiving Week, playing in the Players Era Championship, opening with UCLA on Wednesday (1:00 p.m. on truTV), then the winner of Duke and South Carolina Thursday night. Vic Schaefer is one heckuva coach.
Texas Volleyball
Texas finished the season 21-2 overall and 13-2 in the SEC. They are the 3 seed in the SEC tournament, which is underway. Texas will play again at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Week Twelve in the Southeastern Conference
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical 31, South Carolina 30, in one of the best second half comebacks you will ever see. An incredible effort by the Aggies. If you missed it, Texas Agricultural & Mechanical trailed 30-3 at halftime, and Elko rallied his troops for a 28 point second half, shutting out the Gamecocks. The Aggies are really good.
Arkansas 22, Louisiana State 23.
Tennessee Tech 10, Kentucky 42.
No. 11 Oklahoma 23, No. 4 Alabama 21. Holy cow. 2 in a row for the Land Thieves over the Tide. Mateer was 15/23 for 138 yards, no TDs, but he did rush for 23 yards and a touchdown. Land Thieves 74 yards rushing, for 212 yards of offense, while Bama had 406 yards. A pick 6 and recovering 2 fumbles will do that.
New Mexico State 9, Tennessee 42. The New Mexican Aggies covered.
Florida 24, No. 7 Ole Miss 34. Chambliss threw for 301 yards and a score, and Kewan Lacy ran for 224 yards and 3 touchdowns. Texas ran for 52 yards against Florida.
Mississippi State 27, Missouri 49.
Week Twelve: Service Academies
Air Force 16, Connecticut 26.
Navy 41, No. 24 South Florida 38. A wild fourth quarter, as Navy scored 17 and the Bulls put up 22 points. The Midshipmen rushed for 338 yards and 4 touchdowns to keep their American Conference title hopes alive (sitting at the top right now at 6-1, with Tulane, North Texas, and East Carolina all at 5-1).
Top 25 – Week Twelve
Friday
Clemson 20, No. 20 Louisville 19, in a very exciting game.
Minnesota 13, No 8 Oregon 42. Ducks win and cover. ✔️
Saturday
Wisconsin 7, No. 2 Indiana 31.
No. 9 Notre Dame 37, No. 22 Pittsburgh 15. Fighting Irish win and cover. Jeremiyah Love 147 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. ✔️
No. 18 Michigan 24, Northwestern 22. A walk-off Field Goal for Big Blue at Wrigley Field. Missed on the line.
Arizona 30, No. 25 Cincinnati 24. Good win for the Wildcats.
UCF 9, No. 6 Texas Tech 48. It was 38-2 at halftime. Tech had 499 yards of offense. “Sand Aggies to win and cover.” ✔️ They are the real deal, and I loved the CFP projection that had them playing Texas Agricultural & Mechanical in the second round. That would be fun.
On a related note, I had a couple of people get irritated about some of my musing last week about Texas Tech. First, my comment about the money they spent on this roster was not a criticism, but complimentary observation. That is college football today, and I respect the Tech boosters for being willing to spend the money to build a championship roster. And spent well – 2 of the four Lombardi Finalists are at linebackers at Tech – David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez. Rodriguez is also a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Award. Sand Aggies will be in the College Football Playoffs this year.
Tech is not alone. Tony Buzbee, the big-time aggie, was quoted as saying “There’s plenty of money, and if we don’t have it, we’ll get it. We’ve got more money than we’ve got brains.” A CFP game between Texas Agricultural & Mechanical and the Sand Aggies would be awesome.
NC State 7, No. 15 Miami (FL) 41.
No. 10 Georgia Tech 36, Boston College 34. Georgia Tech with a 19 point fourth quarter to escape Massachusetts with a win. So close despite Haynes King throwing for 371 yards and the Yellow Jackets rushing for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns. Georgia Tech had 266 yards of offense in the fourth.
No. 21 Iowa 21, No. 17 Southern Cal 26. “Trojans to win, Hawkeyes to cover.” ✔️
No. 19 Virginia 34, Duke 17. The Cavaliers were 4.5 point underdogs. Great win for the Hoos.
No. 13 Utah 55, Baylor 28. Utes covered.✔️
UCLA 10, No. 1 Ohio State 48. Buckeyes win and cover.
Texas Christian 13, No. 12 Brigham Young 44. I thought the Cougars by 4.5 line was way low.
Other Games of Interest – Week Twelve
UT San Antonio 28, Charlotte 7. Good win for the Roadrunners, who also covered.
North Texas 53, UAB 24. Mean Green win and cover. ✔️
Texas State 41, Southern Miss 14 in a big upset.
Virginia Tech 14, Florida State 34.
UTRGV Vaqueros 28, McNeese Cowboys 13. What a ride in their first season.
This is interesting:
Washington & Lee University
The Generals fell at Shenandoah 14-17 to finish the regular season 6-4 overall and 6-2 in conference. Ryan Clemens rushed 176 yards on 26 carries and had a score. But the Generals only converted 2 of 4 red-zone chances, and that was the difference in the game.
W&L was chosen to represent the ODAC in the Chesapeake Challenge this Saturday against Lycoming College of the Landmark Conference in the Cape Charles Bowl. Shenandoah will host the Cape Henry Bowl with Wilkes University. Cool post-season tradition for Division III teams that don’t make the playoffs.
Lacrosse opens at York College on February 14. Go Generals.
The Polls
CFP
AP Top 25 & the Coaches:
North Texas did not get ranked by the playoff committee, but they are No. 22 in the AP Poll. That marks the Mean Green’s first appearance in the AP since 1959, ending the longest active streak in the FBS. That inglorious record now belongs to New Mexico State (1960), followed by the Rice Owls, we were in the AP in 1961. Congratulations Coach Morris.
ESPN’s FPI
Arkansas is ranked No. 41, FPI of 7.7.
2025 College Football Power Index – ESPN
Bill Connelly’s SP+
SP+ is a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency. SP+ is intended to be predictive and forward-facing.
Arkansas is ranked No. 40, with a rating of 8.4.
The Ohio State University No. 1, followed by Indiana, Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, Georgia, Texas Tech, Notre Dame, Oregon, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Brigham Young. Land Thieves are 12, Vanderbilt 15, and Texas is 17. Arkansas is No. 71.
PFF
PFF has The Ohio State University No. 1, followed by Indiana, Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, Georgia, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Oregon, Brigham Young, the Land Thieves, and Alabama. Notre Dame is at 12, Vanderbilt at 13, and Texas at 18.
Arkansas is ranked 39.
Kelley Ford Ratings
Max Olson’s Defensive Stop Rates
Arkansas is ranked No. 133 with 45.4% Stop Rate and 3.10 points per drive.
College football defensive stop rate after Week 12 – ESPN
PFF Grades
Music
Oscar Peterson. An extraordinary talent who doesn’t seem to get the recognition he deserves outside of the jazz aficionado community. If you haven’t listened to him, check these out. An exceptional pianist and jazz artist.
Body & Soul
C Jam Blues
Satin Doll
Hymn to Freedom
Peterson & Count Basie – Slow Blues
Jim Nicar
1973: Game day at U.T. Austin’s Texas Memorial Stadium. Clark Field no. 2 – the baseball field – is just to the northeast, while the Penick Tennis Courts, then home to UT’s tennis teams, were on the south side. At bottom left is “Freshman Field,” what today is Clark Field no. 3.
From Jim’s post on X on November 13, 2025.
Picture of the Week
JType. This photo is from his November 18, 2025, post on Instagram.
Reel of the Week – kda.tx:
On X: @tctayloratx
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You can contact me by mail:
Tim Taylor P.O. Box 5371 Austin, Texas 78763-5371