Arkansas vs. Texas A&M kickoff in good time slot on ESPN

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Southeastern Conference announced Monday that the Arkansas Razorbacks will host Texas A&M on Oct. 18 at 2:30 p.m., with the game televised nationally on ESPN.

The matchup marks Texas A&M’s first trip to Fayetteville since 2013, when the Aggies left the old Southwest Conference rivalry dormant for several years before its SEC revival.

Both programs enter the midseason matchup under contrasting circumstances, with A&M unbeaten and Arkansas trying to regroup after a rocky start.

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said his team is still working to find rhythm despite its perfect record.

“They have a lot of confidence in what they are capable of,” Elko told reporters last week. “We would love to start faster … anytime one side of the ball has been struggling, the other side of the ball has stood up.”

Arkansas interim coach Bobby Petrino, meanwhile, is preparing for his second game since returning to the Razorback sideline. The home matchup with a top-five opponent could serve as a measuring stick for the team’s direction under his leadership.

Arkansas–Texas A&M rivalry history and context

Arkansas and Texas A&M have faced each other 81 times, with the Razorbacks holding a 42–36–3 series lead.

The Aggies, however, have won the last three meetings, including a 30–20 victory in Arlington last season.

The rivalry, long known as the Southwest Classic, originated in 1903 and was revived in 2009 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before Arkansas and A&M began rotating home-and-home contests under the SEC’s new scheduling model.

This year’s return to Razorback Stadium restores a sense of campus tradition absent for more than a decade.

Arkansas last beat Texas A&M in 2021, a 20–10 win that briefly lifted the Razorbacks into the national top 10. That victory remains one of the highlights of the Sam Pittman era, which ended earlier this season after a 56–13 loss to Notre Dame.

Both programs view the annual meeting as a statement game, and the renewed home atmosphere adds a layer of excitement that the neutral-site contests couldn’t fully capture.

New kickoff slot fits SEC broadcast model

The 2:30 p.m. time falls in the SEC’s afternoon broadcast window, a slot long associated with marquee games on CBS and now ESPN under the league’s new television deal.

The SEC’s new broadcast system divides game times into four “windows”: early (11 a.m.–noon), afternoon (2:30–3:30 p.m.), night (5–7 p.m.), and flexible (2:30–7 p.m.). Arkansas’s Oct. 18 contest was initially in the flex window before ESPN selected it for the afternoon broadcast.

Arkansas’ 2025 schedule includes several kickoff times already announced, including 3:15 p.m. for the opener against Alabama A&M and an 11 a.m. start at Notre Dame.

Texas A&M’s early season slate includes a 6 p.m. home game against UTSA and another late afternoon slot for Auburn.

The 2:30 p.m. start allows for national visibility and favorable conditions for fans in Fayetteville.

Afternoon kickoffs have historically drawn strong attendance at Razorback Stadium.

Razorbacks navigating coaching transition

The matchup will mark Petrino’s second game as interim head coach after replacing Pittman in late September.

Petrino, who previously coached Arkansas from 2008–11, was elevated from offensive coordinator following a disappointing 2–3 start that included close losses to Memphis and Ole Miss.

Three defensive assistants were also let go as part of a midseason overhaul designed to restore accountability and improve tackling efficiency.

Petrino has said his immediate goal is to simplify execution and restore confidence.

His return to the head coaching role has energized some fans, especially those who remember his 2010 and 2011 teams that finished 10–3 and 11–2.

Still, Petrino will face a tall task against an A&M team playing with consistency on both sides of the ball.

A&M aiming to sustain momentum

Texas A&M enters the game undefeated at 5–0, ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press poll, and showing improved balance. Quarterback Connor Weigman has thrown for 1,280 yards and 12 touchdowns through five games, while the Aggies’ defense ranks third in the SEC in scoring defense.

Elko said he expects Arkansas to play “with a lot of energy” under Petrino, noting the Razorbacks’ familiarity with the Aggies’ scheme. “They’ll be motivated,” he said. “That’s a proud program with players who have been through ups and downs. We’re going to get their best shot.”

For A&M, the trip to Fayetteville begins a tough stretch that also includes consecutive road games at LSU and Missouri. The Aggies’ ability to maintain focus could determine whether they stay in the playoff conversation deep into November.

A&M’s defense has been its backbone, led by linebacker Taurean York and defensive lineman Shemar Turner, both anchoring a unit allowing just 14.8 points per game.

What’s at stake for both programs

A win would help Arkansas move closer to bowl eligibility and validate the changes made under Petrino’s leadership. A&M, on the other hand, is fighting to remain in contention for the SEC title and a potential College Football Playoff berth.

The Razorbacks will rely heavily on quarterback Taylen Green’s dual-threat ability and the ground production of running back Isaiah Augustave to keep pace. For Petrino, establishing rhythm and discipline early will be key.

For fans, the afternoon start on ESPN offers a chance to showcase Fayetteville’s game-day atmosphere to a national audience. The university has designated the matchup as a “red-out,” encouraging fans to wear red throughout Razorback Stadium.

Ticket sales have reportedly been strong, with local hotels near campus nearing capacity. The energy surrounding the return of the Aggies to Fayetteville underscores the enduring significance of this regional rivalry.

Key takeaways

• The Arkansas vs. Texas A&M game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CDT on ESPN on Oct. 18.

• Arkansas, led by interim coach Bobby Petrino, is seeking stability after midseason coaching changes.

• Texas A&M enters undefeated and ranked in the top five, setting up a pivotal SEC West matchup.