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Paul Finebaum Names SEC Program That Can't Have a Year Like Last Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 6:00 PM ET

The 2025 college football season is quickly approaching, starting on August 23 with a series of games for Week 0. The Arkansas Razorbacks are not in action this week but must wait, like most other teams. This season is crucial for the Razorbacks in the Sam Pittman era, as another poor season could end his tenure.

Pittman led the team to a 7-6 record last year after a 4-8 season the year before. That improved performance saved his job for now.

On "The Paul Finebaum Show," the SEC Network analyst was asked about Arkansas for the upcoming season. He mentioned a two-game stretch early in the season that concerns him.

"Here's the problem I have for Arkansas, it's that stretch Ole Miss and Memphis," Finebaum said. "That could be a really dismal two weeks. I think Arkansas will be better, but they have to be consistent, and they can't do what they did last year."

Finebaum's concern aligns with national evaluations of Arkansas’ 2025 slate. Kyle Wood from Athlon Sports noted that Arkansas has one of the toughest schedules in the SEC, ranking it as the fifth most challenging in the conference.

Wood highlighted the challenging road games against the Ole Miss Rebels, Tennessee Volunteers, LSU Tigers and Texas Longhorns. Addit ionally, the Razorbacks will host strong opponents, including the Texas A&M Aggies, Auburn Tigers and Missouri Tigers.

Arkansas faces challenging non-conference games against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Memphis Tigers, making it more difficult to achieve seven wins like last season.

Paul Finebaum Gives His Record Prediction for Arkansas

Last season, Arkansas finished the regular season with a 6-6 record, and a bowl win brought their total to seven victories. Will they improve this year? Finebaum doesn't think so.

“I think 6-6 is a pretty good record,” Finebaum previously said. “I might even go a little bit higher. I think realistically with that schedule, .500 is a pretty good mark.”

The question remains whether a 6-6 record is sufficient to save Pittman's job or if he will be let go. Finebaum expressed skepticism that this record will keep him secure.

Sam Pittman's Buyout is Just Below $10 Million, But It's Complicated

If Pittman were to be fired, his buyout is set at $9.55 million. However, the terms of his contract and buyout are complex. The amount of the buyout depends on whether the Razorbacks have maintained a winning record since the start of the 2021 season, and currently, the team is one game below the .500 mark.

Pittman will receive only 50% of his remaining contract; however, if Arkansas achieves a winning record, he will receive 75%. He is under contract until 2027, and a $250,000 automatic raise was triggered after he led the team to victory against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Liberty Bowl..

His annual salary increases to $5.5 million. Additionally, he is eligible for two potential retention bonuses, each worth $1.3 million. The total remaining value on his contract is $19.1 million. Consequently, half of that amount, which is $9.55 million, represents the buyout.

Arkansas will begin the season against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at 4:15 p.m. ET on August 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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