Blowout loss shows Sam Pittman era has run its course at Arkansas

It's time for change in Little Rock.

On Saturday, the Arkansas Razorbacks were no match for Associated Press No. 22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-2), losing 56-13, their worst non-conference home loss since 1987, when they fell to then-independent Miami (Fl), 51-7. The Razorbacks were out-gained, 641-365, with the Fighting Irish becoming the second team (first non-conference) since 1995 to throw for 400 yards and rush for 150 yards at Arkansas. (h/t Stathead)

The resounding defeat put on tape what most had already realized about Arkansas (2-3, 0-1 in SEC) under head coach Sam Pittman. The program is stuck in stasis and watching the rest of the SEC and college football elite pass it by.

The schedule only gets tougher from here

The 56 points allowed by the Razorbacks were their most against a non-conference opponent under Pittman. Overall, Arkansas is 32-34 since Pittman became head coach in 2020. Only Auburn (31-34), Mississippi State (31-34) and Vanderbilt (20-42) have a worse win percentage among SEC teams during that span.

Based on the team's effort against Notre Dame, the 2025 season could still get much uglier. All seven of Arkansas' remaining games are against teams currently with a winning record, including five in the AP poll. Following a Week 6 bye, Arkansas plays at No. 15 Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 in SEC), followed by games against No. 9 Texas A&M (3-0), Auburn (3-1, 0-1 in SEC), Mississippi State (4-0), No. 4 LSU (4-0, 1-0 in SEC), No. 10 Texas (3-1) and No. 20 Missouri (4-0, 1-0 in SEC).

It's unlikely things will get better for Arkansas under Sam Pittman

Things seem unlikely to improve much in future seasons. According to 247Sports, the Razorbacks are No. 11 in the SEC in 2026 recruiting rankings. The program is also in the middle of the pack in the transfer portal, so it probably won't be able to rely on it for an immediate turnaround.

It's time for Arkansas to shake things up. The status quo isn't working, and it hasn't for a while. Since 2012, the Razorbacks are one of two SEC programs without a 10-win season, joining Vanderbilt. Saturday's loss was a stark reminder of how far Arkansas is from being relevant to the national conversation. And that's unlikely to change as long as Pittman is head coach.