Arkansas defense must rise up for Pittman as SEC redemption run kicks off

It’s no secret that our man Sam Pittman came into the 2025 season among the most unlikeliest of coaches to survive another run through the ever-unforgiving fires of the Southeastern Conference. 

Sam gamely survived last season with all manner of Tigers, Bulldogs, Aggies, Longhorns, Volunteers and Rebels to fight through. Somehow he emerged — walking stick in hand while limping on a surgically repaired hip — and secured a third winning season over the last four years and another bowl victory.

Arkansas’ defense to be the difference vs. Ole Miss

For all his trouble, Samwise — the Gamegee — was rewarded with the hottest of hot seats. In SEC Country, there’s no rest for the weary, and the demands to conquer challenges never relent. Pittman's charge to restore Arkansas Razorback football to its rightful place on the national college football landscape remains unfulfilled. The voices predicting his impending demise — and clamoring to replace him — still reverberate throughout Razorback Nation. 

Rejuvenated by a promising infusion of talent out of the transfer portal and from within the state, Pittman re-enters the SEC fray Saturday at 6 p.m. in Oxford, Mississippi. 

Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and quarterback Taylen Green appear ready to build upon leading the second most productive offense in the SEC in 2024. That’s thanks in large part to transfers like O’Mega Blake, Raylen Sharpe, Rohan Jones, Jaden Platt and Jaylen Brown among the receiving corps. 

Transfer Mike Washington has won the starting running back position over promising in-state sophomore Braylen Russell. Meanwhile the offensive line has been rebuilt with transfers like tackle Corey Robinson and Caden Kittler to go with returnees like Fernando Carmona, Emarion Harris and Kobe Branham.

Awaiting them is an all too familiar foe. Hottie Tottie’s darling, coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin turned down Pittman’s job at Arkansas to lead the Ole Miss Rebels. He was last seen in Arkansas after handing Pittman what has to be the most humiliating defeat of his career. 

The ever-front-running Kiffin was a chic pick last season to win Ole Miss’ first SEC title this millennium. Going into last year’s game in Fayetteville, Kiffin was evidently so confident in defeating Pittman that the Rebels brought smoke machines, a world championship belt and a portable basketball goal to dunk on to help celebrate every touchdown scored. 

And boy did they score. 

Only a valiant goal line stance by Arkansas’ defense on Ole Miss’ first possession prevented the Rebels from scoring 7 touchdowns. An incensed Rebel quarterback Jackson Dart had to console himself by hanging 63 points and watching wideout Jordan Watkins run through the smokey sidelines for one dunk after another before donning the world heavyweight title. 

Kiffin said this week that Arkansas’ offense scored more points on his talented defense than any other opponent last season. With a less-talented Ole Miss defense in 2025, Petrino’s offense should have similar success. The question for Arkansas on Saturday will be how much defense can be mustered against a less-talented Ole Miss offense?

Kiffin’s Rebels, who ultimately underachieved last, did go on to get a win over traditional SEC powerhouse Georgia, so it’s hard to say their woodshedding of the Razorbacks was the highlight of their season. What is safe to say is having your defense ravaged in front of your home crowd means it’s time for the Razorback defense to win this one for the gaffer and every shire throughout the Natural State. 

This year’s Razorback team has looked impressive — for the most part — in a pair of wins to open the season against hobbit-sized programs from the SWAC and Sun Belt Conferences. But what does it say when you allow an SEC rival to score more points than you did against your little brothers from Arkansas State?

It says if Sam Pittman’s fellowship with defensive coordinator Travis Williams, defensive backs coach Marcus Woodson and defensive line coach Deke Adams is to continue, it better start when the Razorbacks begin SEC play Saturday. Woodson is on record saying he brought in players like Julian Neal, Kani Walker and Selman Bridges out of the portal because they are a better fits for the man-to-man defense he prefers. So far, the secondary has looked solid against lesser opponents, but Kiffin’s Rebels should clear up any doubts on whether the Razorback pass defense can return to form after going from fourth-to-last in the SEC the last two years. 

Of course, the secondary’s cause would only be helped if Arkansas’ pass rush undergoes a similar revival this season. Defensive ends Quincy Rhodes and Phillip Lee have emerged as leading candidates to get the job done against what looks like a vulnerable Rebel offensive line and unproven quarterbacks. 

Travis Williams’ linebackers are considered the strength of the defense and will need to live up to billing against one of the best running backs in the SEC, Kewan Lacy. Lacy will be helped by a pair of defectors from Arkansas to Ole Miss. Luke Hasz and Patrick Kutas are picking up where they left off at Arkansas by coming off an injury and failing to live up to promises. If Xavien Sorey, Stephen Dix, Bradley Shaw and company can contain the SEC’s leading rusher, Williams’ unit will have earned their keep.

Life in the SEC is always hard, and hardly fair, but hat’s life among the realms of men. So buckle up Razorbackers. Big boy season is about to begin — with no one being the wiser. That is until the dust has settled Saturday night in The Grove at least.