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Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Malachi Fields (0) dives forward during the third quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Notre Dame won 56-13. Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Bye week gives Hogs fans entire day to coach shop

Originally posted on Arkansas Razorbacks on SI
By Kent Smith | Last updated Oct 4, 2025 9:56 AM ET

There are plenty of games for Arkansas Razorbacks fans to take in for pleasure this Saturday. However, in addition, hour after hour will be filled with chances for Hogs fans to scout a great deal of the most common candidates to take over after Sam Pittman's dismissal.

So, after sifting through yet another schedule, here are the times, television stations and key information of this weekend's games that might warrant the interest of Arkansas fans.

11 a.m.

There are no reports officially indicating Lunney has applied for the job, but there is little doubt he would listen if the Razorbacks came calling. Meanwhile, Odom went out on his own quest to prove he was still head coach material should an SEC opening come back up.

Odom is 21-10 since departing as Sam Pittman's defensive coordinator and morning muse. He has already doubled last year's win total at Purdue.

Getting a win over Illinois would be huge and certainly would go a long way toward Arkansas being willing to pony up the $6 milliion buyout to bring him back to Fayetteville.

2:30 p.m.

The biggest intrigue is seeing whether Texas quarterback Arch Manning has finally grown enough as a quarterback to at least hit receivers running wide open. Chances are, if Florida can somehow get to 17 points, the Gators can pull off the upset.

If it's Manning's coming out party, it could be bad for Petrino and the Hogs. However, if nothing changes, a poll with Arkansas fans already showed they think the Razorbacks can take Texas even during Pittman's era.

If the Arkansas played Texas this week, do you think the Longhorns could score enough to to beat Taylen Green, Hogs with Arch Manning?
— allHOGS (@hogsonsi) September 16, 2025

While the Hogs still technically have the SEC championship as a possibility, Arkansas fans have written off much in the way of hope. That allows room to live vicariously through the undefeated Commodores who are going to take it personally that everyone keeps predicting them to lose by double digits in Tuscaloosa.

While it's unlikely the Irish go an entire game without punting, it's still on the table. Perhaps it wasn't Arkansas. Perhaps Notre Dame is just that awesome.

However, Razorbacks fans definitely need to watch the game and perhaps do a little personal research of their own if they like what they see. Brown has the tools to be successful, but can be an acquired taste, so fans need to make sure they know what they are getting into before backing him with all their might.

3 p.m.

However, not even he could figure out how to make former Arkansas quarterback Malik Hornsby into a viable option under center.

6 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

If he can get into his usual groove and the Minnesota receivers actually catch the ball, there's a puncher's chance Ohio State might go down.

If his team takes a second consecutive loss after an upset at Virginia, the College Football Playoff is probably out of the question. It will then be on Norvell to keep his team from spiraling out of control like last season.

If the Aggies pull it out, it legitimizes them as a contender. It also sets the Bulldogs up for a potential downfall that could greatly benefit Petrino's Razorbacks in a few weeks.

The last thing Arkansas fans want to see is a Mississippi State win no matter how tempting it is to cheer for the underdogs.