Arkansas, Pine Bluff Set to Meet in Season Opening Tilt

Arkansas Razorbacks — © Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner and the Gainesville Sun/USA TODAY NETWORK

Arkansas and Arkansas-Pine Bluff are set to clash in War Memorial Stadium on Aug. 29 to open their respective seasons. A 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff time will help stifle the Arkansas heat, but which team will have enough firepower to open their 2024 season with a victory?

What's at Stake?

Former Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt used to say that half the teams in the country would trade places with each other after Week 1. A win or loss in the opening game of the season can set the tone for the entire year, making Thursday's contest critical for a pair of teams looking to rebound from poor seasons.

Arkansas has a clear speed and talent advantage, but Pine Bluff has a chance to knock off a Southeastern Conference team and claim one of the biggest wins in school history. It'll be an uphill climb for the Golden Lions to pull the upset, but as Toledo and The Citadel can attest to, crazier things have happened.

The Razorbacks are looking to win their fourth consecutive season opener under Sam Pittman in a crucial season for the fifth-year head coach. A bowl game seems to be the bar Pittman must clear in order to retain his job, and taking care of business against Pine Bluff would be the first step in a long journey.

Key Players: Arkansas

On the offensive side of the ball, Arkansas is a unit of unknowns. A new offensive coordinator, quarterback and running back will compliment returnees in the receiving corps. Look for quarterback Taylen Green and running back Ja'Quinden Jackson to make solid first impressions in front of the Little Rock crowd. Expect Green to have the green light for both deep passes and designed runs early on. Once Arkansas starts to move the ball through the air, Jackson could have his first opportunity to run behind Arkansas' revamped offensive line.

Transfer linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. is perhaps Arkansas' most intriguing defensive player, as the Georgia transfer will look to fill a void left by Chris Paul in Arkansas' front seven. A solid Arkansas secondary shouldn't have too much trouble dealing with Pine Bluff's receiving core, but it will be paramount for Arkansas' defense to snuff out any hope the Golden Lions may have early on.

Taylen Green — © Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports

Key Players: Pine Bluff

Pine Bluff doesn't boast much offensive firepower, but one offensive bright spot is sophomore running back Johness Davis, who ran for 350 yards in 2023. Pine Bluff also returns receiver Daemon Dawkins (199 yards in 2023) as well as quarterback Mekhi Hagens, who was a part of Pine Bluff's quarterback roulette wheel. There's not much production to be found on paper, but there's a reason games are decided on the field and not the stat sheet.

The Golden Lions saw a litany of defensive standouts leave over the offseason, and will rely on a new batch of stars to carry the torch in 2024. Defensive lineman Antonio Johnson could be a factor against Arkansas, as his 300-pound frame will be critical in matching the physicality of an SEC team.

Daemon Dawkins — © KIrsten Fiscus / USA TODAY NETWORK

Trends to Watch

Both teams are looking to erase lackluster 2023 campaigns, but the overwhelming trend going into this game is the size and speed deficit facing Pine Bluff. As long as a prolonged slow start doesn't hinder Arkansas, the Razorbacks should easily win their second straight against Pine Bluff and their fourth consecutive season opener.