AUSTIN, Texas — The recent transition of Texas to the Southeastern Conference has reignited a storied rivalry that once had national championships on the line and even attracted a visit from a U.S. president.
The long-standing feud between Texas and Arkansas, which has captivated fans for decades, will be revived this week when the No. 3 Longhorns face the Razorbacks. This marks their first encounter as conference rivals since 1991.
Currently, the Longhorns hold an impressive 8-1 record, standing at 4-1 in the SEC, while the Razorbacks boast a record of 5-4 with 3-3 in the conference. Although the teams have clashed sporadically over the last thirty years, the rivalry remains steeped in rich history and tradition, especially for longtime followers of both programs.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, a Californian by origin, first experienced the intensity of this rivalry in 2021 when Arkansas dominated Texas 40-21, leading to Razorback fans storming the field. The loss marked Sarkisian’s inaugural setback at Texas, leading him to assert that Arkansas supporters harbor more animosity toward Texas than affection for their own team. This sentiment was echoed by Arkansas coach Sam Pittman.
“I don’t know what (former Texas coach) Darrell Royal did to Arkansas back in the day, but they absolutely hate our guts,” Sarkisian stated this week, highlighting the long-standing bitterness surrounding the rivalry.
With origins dating back to 1894, the Texas-Arkansas rivalry traditionally determined dominance in the old Southwest Conference. From 1960 to 1970, it gained national attention as each of the eight encounters featured at least one team ranked in the Top 10, and on six occasions, both squads were ranked.
A notable moment occurred in 1962 when a crucial Texas goal-line stand secured a 7-3 victory, claiming the SWC title for Texas. In 1963, Texas claimed the national championship while Arkansas went undefeated and shared the national title the following year. Former coach Royal lamented that a defeat in this rivalry cost Texas another championship.
The rivalry reached new heights in 1969 during the highly publicized “Game of the Century” between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams. The game was moved to a later date to become the only match on that day in anticipation of the centennial of college football. President Nixon made a memorable helicopter arrival to witness the event, which was preceded by a prayer from Rev. Billy Graham.
Arkansas took an early lead of 14-0, but Texas fought back to clinch a narrow 15-14 victory through a pivotal fourth down play. Following the match, President Nixon met with the jubilant Longhorns players in their locker room, presenting coach Royal with a national championship plaque.
In the eyes of Texas fans, this game is still regarded as the pinnacle of their program until the 2006 Rose Bowl triumph against USC.
Following Arkansas’s move to the SEC in 1992, the rivalry diminished, with the teams facing off only sparingly in recent years. Texas leads the all-time series 56-23, but Arkansas has claimed four of the last six encounters since the turn of the millennium. With Texas now part of the SEC, the teams are once again set to face each other, though it remains uncertain whether this will become an annual or occasional rivalry.
Saturday’s game carries significant implications for national championship aspirations. Currently, Texas is vying for the SEC title and a spot in the College Football Playoff, making a potential loss to the Razorbacks detrimental to their goals.
To prepare his team for the upcoming clash, Pittman has shared vintage highlights from the 1964, 1969, and 1991 matchups, emphasizing the historical significance of this rivalry. “I think it’s crucial for the players to understand the magnitude of this game to our fans and the institution,” Pittman remarked, underlining the importance of rivalries.
The historical context certainly resonated with the Razorbacks. “Here we are, 60-70 years later, and this game still means the world to Arkansas and Texas,” Arkansas offensive lineman Fernando Carmona said. “I’m thrilled to be part of this historic matchup.”
Several players from the 2021 encounter still remain on the Texas roster; of the 11, nine are starters. Many players vividly recall the hostile environment created by the Arkansas fans during that game. “I remember the intense atmosphere. They definitely didn’t treat us kindly,” said senior center Jake Major.
Defensive tackle Alfred Collins also reflected on that challenging matchup, noting, “It was quite the introduction to the SEC. They came out with a fierce determination, and they prevailed.”
This current Texas squad is not expected to be easily intimidated by the crowd or the stakes at play. The Longhorns have demonstrated resilience, winning nine consecutive games on opponents’ home turf. Pittman emphasized the contrasting rosters compared to the 2021 Texas team, noting the heightened speed and size of the current players.
“Their talent level is certainly much faster and larger,” Pittman noted, setting the stage for a compelling rivalry unveiling this Saturday.