Early start times riddle Arkansas football's 2024 schedule, including Texas

It’s a different season, but same story. The SEC released times and windows for the rest of the 2024 season yesterday, and Arkansas football has another season filled with early games.

The Razorbacks have the potential for five 11:00 to 12:00 starts this year, including games against Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Texas, and Louisiana Tech (TBA). The only game that might not be at 11:00 or 12:00 is Tech. The other four games are set in stone.

Sure, Arkansas doesn’t get the numbers other SEC teams do, so that’s just the way it is. The Razorbacks get stuck with the early times, while the darlings of the conference get the night games. Just look at LSU's schedule.

Sometimes, it makes entirely no sense whatsoever. The Razorback's game against Texas in 2021 was one of the biggest matchups of the season. It was the second most-viewed Arkansas game, cracking over four million viewers. The Razorback's touchdown loss to Alabama beat it by nearly 1.5 million viewers, but the Hogs were on a three-game win streak and the No. 21 team in the country. However,
the historic rivalry is scheduled for the 11:00 A.M. time slot. At least it'll be shown on ABC.

Of course, the dynamic is different between the two teams this year. But to be fair, no one in 2021 thought Arkansas would be good either. Hardly anyone chose them over the Longhorns, but they had a nighttime slot, and the resulting atmosphere was outstanding.

The Hogs have the potential for some good afternoon games in 2024, including Texas A&M, Auburn (Flex), Tennessee (Flex), Louisiana Tech (TBA), and Mizzou. The one night game fixed on Arkansas's schedule in 2024 is against LSU on October 9 for the Golden Boot.