Razorbacks look for progress under Petrino against Vols in Knoxville

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will look for steady progress under interim coach Bobby Petrino when it faces No. 12 Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

The Razorbacks (2-3, 0-1 SEC) are seeking to rebound after three straight losses and a major coaching shake-up. Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC) brings one of the nation’s most efficient offenses and has won all three home games this season.

Kickoff is set for 3:15 p.m. Central, and the game will air on SEC Network.

Series history and recent meetings

Tennessee leads the all-time series 13-7, but Arkansas has won the last four, including two in Knoxville. The most recent matchup came in Fayetteville, a 19-14 Razorbacks win.

That streak provides limited comfort. Tennessee has evolved under coach Josh Heupel into one of college football’s most consistent offensive programs.

The Volunteers rank among the national leaders in both scoring and total offense.

Tennessee offense combines speed and precision

Quarterback Joey Aguilar has thrown 13 touchdown passes and averages nearly 292 yards per game.

He manages Heupel’s up-tempo attack, which emphasizes spacing, vertical routes, and run-pass options.

Running backs DeSean Bishop (335 yards), Star Thomas (305) and Peyton Lewis (167) give Tennessee balance and depth.

Top receiver Chris Brazzell has 31 receptions for 531 yards and seven touchdowns. Freshmen Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews have combined for 47 catches and 692 yards, giving Aguilar multiple deep targets.

The Volunteers have converted 26 of 28 red-zone possessions into points and use multiple short-yardage packages with shifting tight ends and H-backs.

Arkansas defense faces major test

Arkansas will need to create turnovers against an offense that occasionally makes risky throws. Aguilar has thrown five interceptions over his last three games.

Tennessee’s defense has complemented the offense by allowing just 2.8 yards per carry. Linebacker Joshua Josephs leads the team with four sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. Tyre West has three tackles for loss, and Arion Carter anchors the middle of a 4-2-5 scheme designed to limit big plays.

The Vols often use zone coverage to force quarterbacks into shorter throws. That could leave openings for Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green to exploit intermediate routes if protection holds.

Razorbacks seek cleaner execution on offense

Petrino’s main goal has been to steady the offense and reduce penalties following a 56-13 loss to Notre Dame that prompted staff changes. Defensive coordinator Travis Williams, line coach Deke Adams and secondary coach Marcus Woodson were dismissed.

“The focus is on doing the small things right and staying in games late,” Petrino said this week. “We have to limit mistakes and make drives count.”

Analysts have had that same message, saying Arkansas doesn’t need dramatic plays—it needs four consistent quarters of composure and execution.

Tennessee returns rested from bye week

The Vols are coming off a 48-17 win over Mississippi State and a bye week that gave them extra preparation time.

Heupel said the focus has been on fundamentals and anticipating possible adjustments from Arkansas’ restructured staff.

“Arkansas is a really good football team that’s been through a lot of transition,” Heupel said. “You’ve got to look at what they’ve done and what might change. It’s a balancing act.”

Tennessee has won three straight games after an open date under Heupel and will try to continue that pattern.

What improvement would look like for Arkansas

Arkansas isn’t expected to pull an upset, but incremental progress is the goal. Avoiding turnovers, improving third-down conversions, and sustaining drives will define success more than the scoreboard.

The Razorbacks must rely on controlled passing, clock management, and efficient running plays to limit Tennessee’s possessions. Defensively, the emphasis will be on tackling cleanly and forcing the Vols into longer drives.

Even moderate gains in those areas would mark steps forward for a program trying to stabilize under Petrino’s leadership.

Three key takeaways

1. Arkansas is focused on discipline, consistency, and composure under Bobby Petrino.

2. Tennessee’s balanced, high-tempo offense will challenge Arkansas’ secondary and tackling.

3. The game serves as a midseason benchmark for Petrino’s tenure and the Razorbacks’ response to adversity.