This matchup will likely be brushed aside as a sleeper by national fans and media, but getting off to a good season start means everything for the Arkansas football program.
You never want to say a non-conference game early in the season is a “must-win”, but let’s be real — this 1:00 PM kickoff in Fayetteville is exactly that.
If Arkansas can’t beat Rice, it will put a significant damper on the most important non-conference game that the program has had in season the following week at Texas. So much of the anticipated hype around Arkansas vs Texas depends on having an Arkansas fan base still enthused to start the season — not one coming off a stunning upset.