Arkansas football will make its 45th bowl appearance Friday, heading back to Memphis to face Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl.
The Razorbacks (6-6) will make their seventh appearance in the Liberty Bowl, a game in which they own a 3-3 all-time record in entering this year’s matchup with the Red Raiders (8-4). In 2002, Arkansas outlasted Kansas in a 55-53 victory that required three overtimes.
Arkansas will try and move to 3-0 in bowl games under head coach Sam Pittman. No coach in school history has won his first three bowl games.
More:Arkansas football running back Braylen Russell withdraws from transfer portal again
More:Arkansas ranks among country’s top 20 most valuable athletics programs | CNBC
Here are three things to watch and a score prediction for Saturday’s contest between Arkansas and Missouri.
The Razorbacks lost three offensive linemen to the portal and two defensive linemen to the NFL Draft. Players who haven’t logged many snaps in their college careers will be thrusted into major roles against the Red Raiders.
That provides an opportunity, especially for the younger players, but there’s added concern offensively protecting Taylen Green and establishing the run. True freshman Kobe Branham appears set for a start at right guard, while former walk-on Brooks Edmonson could be the Hogs’ center.
Texas Tech rank 64th in rushing yards allowed per game and 105th in sacks. If the new bodies can jell, Arkansas has the chance to exploit the Red Raiders’ weakness along the defensive line.
True freshman Will Hammond is making his first college start, replacing injured quarterback Behren Morton. The Hogs should force Hammond to be a difference-maker and not just a game-manager, and that strategy starts with Brooks.
Texas Tech’s senior was one of the best running backs in the country in 2024, rushing for 1,505 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns. Brooks crossed the 100-yard mark in all 11 games he played in.
Brooks is also a threat to catch passes out of the backfield. He’ll be the primary focus for Travis Williams’ defense Friday.
There is only one team in the country that was worse against the pass this season than Texas Tech. The Red Raiders allowed 305.3 passing yards per game and gave up at least 275 yards in eight games.
Green will be without his top target in Andrew Armstrong, but the Hogs’ leader is still capable of a big day through the air. Isaac TeSlaa and CJ Brown are in line for more snaps, and Green can create some offseason momentum with a strong performance. He’ll be the face of the program in 2025, and it’s important he ends 2024 on a high against a leaky defense.
Bowl games have taken a hit since the inception of the College Football Playoff and transfer portal, but there are some benefits to a game with such low stakes. A win can create a positive push into the offseason, while a loss can be deemed meaningless. Arkansas is without so many of its key players, but the Hogs have their quarterback, and that will prove to be the difference in the Liberty Bowl. Arkansas 38, Texas Tech 34.
Français 
English