TCU @ Arkansas: Saturday, September 9th Fayetteville
(WHY YOU SHOULD GO)
In thrilling, double OT fashion the Hogs knocked off then #15 ranked TCU in Fort Worth last season. While both teams ultimately wound up sputtering throughout the remainder of 2016, the Horned Frogs wound up in worst shape, concluding their season with a shockingly bad 6-7 overall mark. Fast forward to this year, and TCU makes their return trip to Fayetteville for the first time since 1991 and though they have several question marks in term of team personnel, make no mistake they'll be looking to avenge the 14 home game winning streak Arkansas snapped.
The old Southwest Conference lovers can't afford to miss this nostalgic match-up up on the Hill come September.
BONUS:
FAMU @ Arkansas: Thursday, August 31st Little Rock
(WHY YOU SHOULD *MAYBE* GO)
It's perhaps the worst kept secret that Razorback athletic administrators and other officials aren't really fond of the yearly games in Little Rock. As the years have waned, the signs of a SLOW yet pretty obvious retirement of Hog games in Little Rock have been pretty evident from the shortening yearly games from three to two (to now one), to the games evolving from a mix of conference and high quality OOC opponents to now the Rattlers of the MEAC conference. And to add further to the bonfire if you will, the game against FAMU was moved from a Saturday to a Thursday night to accommodate national TV (ESPNU mind you)
While technically there's one more year remaining on the current contract to play games in Little Rock, many pundits and fans alike are convinced that this could be the last game at War Memorial given the reasons I've mentioned along with other factors.
While i'm not fully convinced that'll be the case, also can't say I wouldn't be fully surprised if this would be it for the Hogs time in the capitol city.
Miami @ Arkansas State-Saturday, September 9th Jonesboro
(WHY YOU SHOULD GO)
So unless you have a private jet or can defy the law of time and physics, this might be difficult to pull off with hogs/frogs squaring off the same day. However, the fact remains that this will be the BIGGEST name opponent to ever travel to Jonesboro (needless to say P5 match-ups at Arkansas State are few and far between). Not only that, the Hurricanes will more than likely be nationally ranked and will be led by legendary coach Mark Richt.
It'll be a tremendous challenge to pull off the monumental upset, but Astate darn near came close back in 2015 against then #21 Missouri. And if nothing else, maybe we'll get to see the "Fainting Goat" yet again??
BUUUUUUUUUT, just in case you can't be in two places at the same time, but alternate game I'd suggest for a Red Wolves game would be...
UAPB @ Arkansas State (September 16th)
(WHY YOU SHOULD GO)
Honestly, this game will not be very competitive (despite Astate slipping up to UCA last season in Jonesboro, the Golden Lions are not on the same level with the Bears). However, you go to this game due to the rarity of the seeing the Division I programs face off on the grid iron in the state (this will only be the second time ASU and UAPB have played one another) and also to see the Golden Lion band perform at halftime (for those unaware, many times SWAC schools will stipulate as part of their agreement to come get annihilated is to have their marching bands perform during halftime in away games). They rocked Centennial Bank Stadium in 2013 and I'd be willing to bet they'll put on another fantastic show again in 2017.
UCA vs McNeese State-Saturday, October 28th Conway
(WHY YOU SHOULD GO)
That quaint little trophy right there is awarded to the winners of Central Arkansas and McNeese State. If you've never heard of it before, it's a pretty new rivalry as the Bears and the Cowboys have only squared off for the trophy since 2008 (and have only been conference foes since UCA's first year in the Southland in 2006).
Despite the relative obscurity, it's drawn more attention as the years have gone, with SB Nation going out of their way to write up a nice piece involving the game (which you can read here) not to mention UCA having some of their best crowds in recent years whenever the Cowboys come up I-40 to play in Conway. Furthermore, UCA and McNeese more time than not are in contention for the Southland Title most seasons and if you need anymore reasoning, who doesn't love red beans and rice??
Central State @ UAPB (October 19th, Pine Bluff)
(WHY YOU SHOULD GO)
To experience the HBCU homecoming experience....duh.
You may think all homecomings are the same and you are TOTALLY right....besides HBCUs. They're culturally, dynamically and all around different from "traditional" homecomings. As one columnist wrote...
" I was introduced to the atmosphere at a historically black college through the annual event of homecoming. The unity and family like environment among black people made me want to be a part of the experience for the rest of my life...an HBCU is more than being present in an atmosphere where culture is the foundation for unity...although the purpose of homecoming is for the alumni, students use the week to alleviate stress and have fun. But the main goal is to participate in this iconic experience that alumni and upperclassmen brag about all year long..." (you can read this wonderful article in it's entirety here).
D TWO MATCH-UPS FOR ME AND FOR YOU!!!
Don't think that great football match-ups end with the four divison I schools in the state. Our GAC brethren have some exciting match-ups of their own! Like for starters have we talked about...
92nd Annual 'Battle of the Ravine' OBU vs Henderson State
(WHY YOU SHOULD GO)
We know we've gone on about this historic rivalry before in past blogs, but how can we talk about gridiron match-ups you must see in the state and not mention this long standing game between these two bitter foes from Arkadelphia??
We won't waste time writing about this and instead showcase it from student perspectives from both respective universities...
"BATTLE OF THE TIMBERLANDS" Ark. Monticello vs Southern Ark
Saturday, November 11th Magnolia
(WHY YOU SHOULD GO)
The rivalry series 'Battle of the Timberlands' is pretty new, only having been formed (along with the creation of the trophy) back in 2012. However, the Boll Weevils and the Muleriders have been duking it out since 1913, with SAU leading the series 55-35-1. It's a new evolution to a long standing rivalry and it'll be fun as the years go on to see how the locals of South Arkansas continue to add to the Battle of the Timberlands, whether it be with festivities or other perhaps even a friendly "Lumberjack contests" (you're welcome SAU/UAM officials ;) )).
SUPER BONUS QUIRKY GAME
"Battle for the ScotZilla Trophy-Hendrix vs Lyon (Saturday, September 2nd Conway)
(WHY YOU SHOULD GO)
....Really? Could there be any other reason besides the fact that is, INDEED....an actual collegiate rivalry trophy that's duked out between two squads from Arkansas.
I mean....look at that thing.
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