The Razorbacks are heading back to Stillwater for the first time in nearly half a century. Arkansas football walked away with a 19-7 win over Jim Stanley's 3-8 Cowboys in 1978, but the Hogs might not be so lucky this time, potentially ending a 5-game win streak.
Oklahoma State finished 10-4 last season, with wins over ranked opponents No. 23 Kansas and No. 9 Oklahoma, and played for the Big 12 title against Texas. However, three of their four losses were big head-scratchers like blowout losses to UCF, 45-3, and South Alabama, 33-7.
Maybe that has something to do with 247 Sports analysis Brad Crawford ranking the game as one of the ten games with the most upset potential. Arkansas has a lot of questions to answer before people are confident enough to predict the upset. But the Hogs have potential with all the new pieces on offense.
When explaining why he thinks Arkansas can pull it off, Crawford wrote,
""Who's picking the Razorbacks, with a head coach on one of the SEC's hottest seats, to beat Oklahoma State on the road in Week 2? Few, if any. That's what makes this game primed for a potential upset in Stillwater. The Cowboys welcome back more starters than any team in college football this fall, while the first-teamers at Arkansas are a blend of returning players and transfer portal additions. Since Arkansas opens against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, this will be the first weekend we see Bobby Petrino's full spread offensively, too."
The nonconference game against UABP is a great advantage. Coach Petrino's offense hasn't been seen at the Power Four level since 2018. Jimbo Fisher didn't let go of the reins during Petrino's only season at A&M, so Oklahoma State won't have a clue what's coming into Stillwater.
If Arkansas somehow does knockoff the Cowboys, the season could take a turn for the better. On the other hand, if Arkansas loses in lopsided fashion, Sam Pittman's already red-hot seat could become unbearable.