As the story goes, Arkansas hates Texas more than it likes itself.
Texas versus Arkansas is one of college football’s classic rivalries. After a 33-year hiatus, it’s finally returning to conference play. Texas traveled to Fayetteville and was stomped on by the Razorbacks three years ago. Now, heading back to Fayetteville, Texas has the chance to return the favor to an old rival.
Tales of the storied Southwest Conference rivalry are always told, but none of the current Texas players were alive to witness it.
“I don’t know what Darrell Royal did to Arkansas back in the day, but they absolutely hate our guts,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “And I think we learned that the first time around when we went there. You watch some of the clips at the end of that game, and Joe Tessitore is talking about (how) Arkansas hates Texas more than they like themselves. And I (think) he might be right.”
While Sarkisian is making sure his team understands the weight of the rivalry, he’s focused more on the main goal ahead: winning.
Texas showed in a dominant win over Florida that when this team is firing on all cylinders, it’s unstoppable. Similar to the approach against the Gators, Arkansas doesn’t have the best record, but shouldn’t be overlooked. Arkansas is 5–4 overall and 3–3 in conference play but has shown its true potential when the Razorbacks upset then-No. 4 Tennessee 19-14.
Though it’s his first year in the program, junior linebacker Trey Moore is learning the importance of this rivalry, Texas’ team culture and how Texas is constantly enamored with itself. Moore, a transfer from UTSA, is starting to gel into the Texas defense and has had his best stretch of games in burnt orange so far. He understands the importance of the rivalry, but isn’t getting too caught up in it, something that he says could be an advantage.
“We have to recognize that there is some history and there is a tradition there, but at the same time, we got to keep it centered around who we are as a team and be enamored with us and focus on ourselves,” Moore said.
For Texas to win in Fayetteville Saturday, its culture will need to remain strong, especially on defense. Arkansas has one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the country in Taylen Green.
Green towers over everyone at 6-foot-6 and isn’t afraid to run the ball or take shots downfield. So far this season, he has thrown for 2,214 yards and 11 touchdowns. On the ground, he has rushed for 411 yards and five touchdowns.
While Texas should be prepared for Green with one of the best defenses in the country, Sarkisian knows that his defense will have its work cut out for it.
“Coach Petrino is an elite offensive play caller and offensive schemer,” Sarkisian said. “So they put (Green) in really good positions when they’re in the zone read game, the quarterback run game, they put him in really good positions for the shots down the field in the drop back pass game. So you have to defend a lot of offense. And then when you have a guy like him running it, it can be extremely challenging.”
No. 3 Texas and Arkansas will kick off from Fayetteville at 11 a.m. on Saturday for the renewal of a storied rivalry.
