Once again, Arkansas football has one of the toughest schedules in the nation

Three things are certain in life: death, taxes, and Arkansas football having one of the toughest schedules in the country.

When the SEC released the opponents for the 2024-25 football season, most fans were happy. Although, in reality, the single difference between the old and new schedule is Texas taking the place of Alabama, who just played in the College Football Playoffs. 

Arkansas has repeatedly owned a top-5 strength of schedule, and this year will be no different. Brad Crawford of 247Sports released the top-15 toughest schedules for next season. The Razorbacks come in at No. 2.

Crawford wrote this about the Hogs path this fall:

"The schedule at Arkansas for Sam Pittman has been treacherous since his arrival and the 2024 slate is no different. The Razorbacks travel to Stillwater for the first time in decades to take on last year's Big 12 runner-up in Week 2 and have to go to Auburn two weeks after that. From there, Arkansas still has four preseason top-10 teams on the docket, including home bouts with LSU, Ole Miss and Texas."

It's the same story, different year. But from a fan's perspective, it's sure to be entertaining. Between the beginning of October and the middle of November, the Razorbacks play four of their five games at home, including Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas. Of course, the latter is the renewal of a dormant rivalry that Arkansas hasn't had since the Southwest Conference. 2021's beatdown of the Longhorns was just a taste of what's to come.

Arkansas's game in Stillwater will be an early indication of how successful the team might be, but it's also the closest away game on the schedule. It's even closer than the Razorbacks' game in War Memorial Stadium by six miles.

Luckily, the Hogs have a manageable away slate. Arkansas has four away games spread throughout the year, and none are back-to-back. However, there are two back-to-back with neutral games, OSU and Auburn.