Three Questions for Arkansas Football Entering Media Days

1. What Are the Expectations in 2025?

We start with the number one question for all Arkansas fans. “How will the team perform in 2025?” While this is a simple question, the answer is quite complicated. Despite the bowl win and just over .500 record, Arkansas had close losses to Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and Missouri, which changes the optics of many factors. 

As 2025 nears, the schedule will not be easy. Ok, the opening game, Alabama State, will provide drastically fewer challenges than the remaining. With this, Arkansas has a three-week stretch in which SEC play on the road, against Ole Miss, followed by a trip to Memphis, and hosting Notre Dame. This stretch provides quite the uptick in challenges early on in the slate of games. 

As to what expectations should be for 2025, this has many factors. At the bottom line, this team should win seven to eight games with a bowl appearance at season’s end. With the roster talent, along with coaching consistency on the sidelines, Arkansas fans should be excited for the 2025 season. Now, will Arkansas win these games? We’ll have to wait and see, but based on Pittman’s previous seasons, we can expect some unexpected wins against teams not usually favored. 

2. How Can Arkansas Recruit in a Changing Landscape?

As we enter a new era of collegiate athletics, many across the nation face the question, “How will my team recruit in this era?”. In the case of Arkansas, Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek has been vocal on how the Razorbacks are “Behind the 8-Ball” in the era. With the recent settlement passed and Revenue Sharing in effect, we look at how Arkansas has performed. 

This conversation has to start with how the NIL is handled in Fayetteville. Yurachek made waves calling on fans to give more to become more competitive within the conference and the nation. Recently, the University made cuts to its staff to free up funds for recruitment and other venues. These cuts did not sit well with many in the state, as it was learned that Yuracheck lost no money in his contract. How does this translate to the football program? 

In an era where “Money Talks”, Pittman has spoken on honest recruiting and relationship building as principles that are important, with this being the, in many cases, deciding factor on your program landing talented players. With this, Arkansas has balanced high school and portal players to build the program. The current 2025 class ranks 29th nationally, including 21 high school players, along with 3 junior college transfers. Additionally, the Hogs were extremely active in the portal as the staff added 34 players between December of 2024 to May of 2025. 

This reflects the answer to the question. Arkansas has shown to be a popular landing spot for talent. Despite a local feel to the class, roughly 17% in-state, Arkansas, and staff are building this roster in a new era effectively. The ability to lean on both program and conference prestige has boded well for Arkansas. Can it translate to more wins? We will soon find out. 

3. What Is Pittman’s Answer to Fans?

Pittman enters the 2025 season with an overall record of 30-31. Included in this are three bowl wins, making him the only coach in program history to win his first three postseason games. His tenure has seen great wins in upset fashion and losses that were head-scratching. 

Entering the 2024 edition of Media Days, Pittman had perhaps the hottest seat in the league. In this, he did not shy away from this as he openly addressed this with confidence in his program. In the 2025 spring camp, Pittman stated, “Our guys have played in the spotlight and in big games, and I know they will embrace this opportunity,” when reflecting on the season while remaining optimistic. 

With a retooled roster and consistent staff, the “Cold Beer” leader will look to use the nostalgia of Petrino to his advantage. Along with youthful talent mixed with experience, Sam Pittman looks to continue to ignite excitement while also showing patience. Can Pittman achieve this? We will soon get our full answer. 

As the Razorbacks travel to Atlanta for SEC Media Days, many questions will be asked. We asked three questions that some may not yet realize the 2025 season is critical. Moreover, in a new world of NIL, Arkansas will have to recruit effectively and with precision. All of these factors affect the fans of the program and how Pittman handles this pressure, in addition to winning and recruiting.