Weekly Update

Back in the Gardens: 20 Seasons, Tailgates, and Razorback Football

8/24/25

It’s that time again. Smoke’s about to rise from the tailgates, the grills are getting cleaned off, and we’re hauling the coolers back to Razorback Stadium. There’s just something different about a fall Saturday in Fayetteville—and this year, it hits even harder. It's our 20th season in the Gardens, and we’re ready to celebrate with old friends, good food, and (hopefully) some Hog wins!

But before we fire up the grill, let’s talk football.

The Big Picture

Let’s be honest—there’s some mystery around this offense. The wide receiver room is full of potential but light on proven production. Still, Antonio Jordan turned heads in fall camp and looks like he could be a breakout guy. Mike Washington, a name not many fans had circled back in spring, has flat-out shocked the coaching staff with his development. Don’t be surprised if he becomes a reliable runner this season.

Up front, the offensive line is still trying to find its rhythm—but Fernando Carmona gives us a solid anchor. He’s proven, physical, and brings leadership to a group that needs to jell quickly.

And of course, Taylen Green is the one everyone’s watching. The redshirt-senior has all the tools—size, speed, arm strength. After a full offseason working with Bobby P, this could be the year he puts it all together. If Petrino unlocks Green’s full potential, we might be looking at one of the most dynamic quarterbacks we've had in a while.

Defense Wins in the SEC

If Arkansas is going to make noise this season, it’ll be because of the defense—and Travis Williams has the tools to make it happen.

Up front, the defensive line will feel the loss of Landon Jackson, no doubt. He was a tone-setter, but Quincy Rhodes Jr. is ready to take the next step and become a force. He’s put in the work and has the athleticism to disrupt both the run and the pass. Keep an eye on him—this could be his breakout year. Interior depth is solid, and this unit is being built to rotate and wear down opposing fronts.

At linebacker, this group is fast, physical, and hungry. Xavian Sorey is expected to be electric this season as a starter. He’s got elite sideline-to-sideline speed and is built for the kind of havoc Travis Williams wants to create. The staff has also brought in fresh legs from the portal and younger guys who are ready to prove themselves—so while the names might not all be familiar yet, the talent is real.

n the secondary, there's experience, confidence, and size with corners and safeties who aren’t afraid to come downhill and hit. T-Will’s defenses are known for flying around, and this group should be no different.

Bottom line: This defense is going to keep Arkansas in games. It may not be the flashiest group on paper, but come SEC play, they’ll be the reason we’re still fighting.

September Matters

Here’s the deal: September has to be a launching pad. We’ve got to come out of those first five games sitting at 4-1 or 3-2 minimum. That early stretch will tell us everything about this team’s identity. There are no guarantees in the SEC, but we can’t afford to dig a hole early and hope to climb out of it later.

And while we’re on the topic—Arkansas State is not a trap game. Don’t let the hype fool you. It’s historic, sure. But from top to bottom, the Hogs have the size, depth, and talent to control this game. It’ll be emotional, but the Razorbacks should handle business and move on.

We're Going Bowling

At the end of the day, this is a bowl team. There’s enough returning leadership, enough raw talent, and enough firepower—especially on defense—to get us to six wins and beyond. If the O-line holds up, and Green finds rhythm with this young receiver group, we might surprise some folks down the stretch.

So bring on the brats, bring on the early mornings in the Gardens and bring on 20 years of tradition. We’ll see you at the tailgate—and we’ll see the Hogs go bowling this winter.

Woo Pig.