FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When Arkansas and LSU meet in Baton Rouge on Nov. 15, both teams will be led by interim head coaches trying to stabilize proud Southeastern Conference programs.
Kickoff is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. on the SEC Network. The matchup marks the 69th edition of the Battle for the Boot, one of the league’s most enduring rivalries.
Arkansas enters the game 2-7 overall and 0-5 in SEC play after parting ways with head coach Sam Pittman earlier this fall. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, who returned to the program this season, is serving as interim head coach for the remainder of 2025.
The Razorbacks opened the year with wins over Alabama A&M and Arkansas State but have since dropped seven straight games, all in conference play.
LSU also made a change in leadership, dismissing Brian Kelly after the Tigers fell to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the SEC.
Defensive coordinator Matt House was named interim head coach to guide LSU through the remainder of the season. The Tigers opened the year 4-0 before losing three of their last four contests, a skid that led to the coaching move.
Both programs now find themselves in a rare situation — two traditional SEC powers led by interim coaches meeting late in the season with rivalry pride at stake.
The Battle for the Boot trophy, introduced in 1996, remains a symbol of bragging rights along the Arkansas-Louisiana border.
In the all-time series, LSU leads 43-23-2 and has won eight of the last nine meetings. Arkansas last won in Baton Rouge in 2021, earning a 16-13 overtime victory.
The Tigers have since won three straight, including a 38-31 decision last season in Fayetteville.
This year’s matchup will be the first of three rivalry games to close Arkansas’s regular season.
After LSU, the Razorbacks travel to Texas on Nov. 22 before hosting Missouri on Nov. 29. LSU finishes its schedule against Florida and Texas A&M following the Arkansas game.
The early kickoff time places both teams in a nationally televised window on the SEC Network, giving interim coaches a chance to make an impression for the future.
Petrino, known for his offensive acumen, has tried to spark a stagnant Razorbacks attack, while House has emphasized defensive toughness for LSU since taking over.
For Arkansas, the game represents an opportunity to break a long losing streak and reclaim some momentum heading into the offseason. LSU, meanwhile, will attempt to defend its home turf and stay in the hunt for bowl eligibility despite midseason turmoil.
Though neither team is where it hoped to be in November, the rivalry still carries significance.
The Battle for the Boot remains one of the SEC’s most competitive border matchups, and both interim coaches will be seeking to leave a positive mark in front of passionate fan bases eager for signs of progress.
The Razorbacks will try to recapture the defensive intensity that delivered their last win in Baton Rouge four years ago.
The Tigers, still adjusting to leadership changes, will look to continue their dominance in the series and steady a season that once held higher expectations.
Regardless of records or coaching changes, this year’s Arkansas-LSU game will again feature two proud programs playing for pride, a trophy, and the chance to restore a sense of direction before the season ends.
