Arkansas adjusts under Petrino as Razorbacks prepare for Texas A&M test

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As No. 4 Texas A&M looms on Fayetteville’s horizon, Arkansas players and coaches say they’re still adjusting to the changes interim head coach Bobby Petrino has put in place.

The changes in schedule, structure and expectations have stirred both praise and challenge within the Razorbacks’ locker room.

“He just changed our schedule to what he’s used to,” tight end Rohan Jones said Tuesday night. “So, just different times and getting to different times for meals. But essentially the day before our game, we’re just getting ready to play.”

One of Petrino’s more visible changes is the addition of Sunday practices.

Under the previous regime, players had Sundays off, with film review delayed until Monday. Petrino reversed that, adding immediate film work and conditioning while giving players Monday as a rest day.

Cornerbacks Julian Neal and Larry Worth, both transfers who experienced similar schedules elsewhere, said the structure feels familiar.

“This is the same schedule that I had at Fresno State,” Neal said. “Just kind of NFL-oriented. So, I felt right at home.”

Worth agreed.

“Just kind of a pro-oriented schedule,” he said. “Getting back used to it.”

Backfield of expectation

Arkansas enters the Texas A&M matchup still smarting from a 34-31 loss at Tennessee, a game defined by turnovers and protection breakdowns.

Offensive tackle Corey Robinson pointed to communication as the chief issue.

“We just need to communicate better … in a stadium like that, as well, it’s very imperative,” Robinson said.

Robinson and his teammates say those mistakes are correctable if everyone stays aligned. Tight end Rohan Jones added that the Aggies’ defensive front presents another test.

“Their front seven is pretty much the strength of their defense,” Jones said. “Just communicating and getting after them before they come after us.”

Texas A&M’s defense, led by linebackers Taurean York and Daymion Sanford, has established itself as one of the SEC’s most physical front sevens.

The Aggies rank among the top 25 nationally in total defense and third-down stops. That challenge, Petrino said, will test Arkansas’s protection adjustments immediately.

New regime, old challenges

Petrino’s return to Arkansas marks a striking comeback 13 years after his departure. His current focus is on stability and discipline more than redemption.

“We have to do a better job of playing the game. We got too many errors,” Petrino said Monday.

Athletic director Hunter Yurachek has indicated that Petrino remains under consideration for the full-time role beyond this season. The veteran coach has emphasized accountability and film-room learning in a program that spent much of September searching for an identity.

Still, as one columnist noted, not even coaching brilliance can hide roster gaps overnight. Petrino’s play-calling in the Tennessee loss revealed a team still struggling to execute consistently at every position.

Aggies bring balance and swagger

Texas A&M travels to Fayetteville riding confidence from a 34-17 win over Florida.

The Aggies’ offense and defense have balanced one another, with consistent efficiency from quarterback Conner Weigman and strong trench play on both sides.

Defensively, the Aggies’ front four anchors a group that excels at limiting explosive plays and forcing negative yardage.

Arkansas’s ability to stay ahead of the chains will be critical.

The Razorbacks rank in the bottom third of the SEC in rushing efficiency and third-down conversions, both key metrics Petrino has prioritized improving.

The matchup marks the 81st meeting in the Arkansas–Texas A&M rivalry, with the Razorbacks holding a narrow all-time edge at 42–36–3.

It could be one of the final annual matchups before the SEC’s schedule rotation changes in 2026. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Central on ESPN.

Keys to the matchup

For Arkansas to compete effectively, three areas stand out:

• Communication at the line of scrimmage — the offense must align and react quickly in loud environments.

• Ball security — turnovers have erased strong starts in recent weeks.

• Limiting explosive plays — avoiding defensive lapses that lead to quick A&M scores.

Petrino’s staff has emphasized situational awareness this week, focusing on red-zone execution and late-game management.

With both teams trending in opposite directions, the Razorbacks hope structure and consistency can yield stability.

Key Takeaways

• Arkansas players are adapting to Petrino’s stricter schedule and Sunday practices designed to increase focus and accountability.

• Communication and protection remain pressing concerns for an offense searching for rhythm.

• Texas A&M’s balance across all three phases presents a strong challenge for an Arkansas team in transition.