Notre Dame football will travel to SEC-country this weekend and take on the 2-2 Arkansas Razorbacks.
On paper these two teams are very similar, each with a very good offenses and a struggling defense. It should be a very exciting game, one that has potential for the scoreboard to be lighting up most of the game.
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If you were like me, you didn’t know much about the Razorbacks, and I’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find where Arkansas ranks nationally in multiple categories along with info on their coach along with its best offensive and defensive player.
Offensive statistics
Sep 20, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Mike Washington Jr. (4) runs with the ball against the Memphis Tigers during the second half at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Total offense: No. 8 with 552 yards-per-game
Passing offense: No. 15 with 324.2 yards-per-game
Rushing offense: No. 20 with 227.8 yards-per-game
Scoring offense: No. 15 with 43.5 points-per-game
Defensive statistics
Sep 20, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Tigers running back Greg Desrosiers Jr. (13) is tackled by Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Larry Worth III (3) and defensive back Julian Neal (23) during the first half at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Total defense: No. 83 with 371 yards-allowed-per-game
Passing defense: No. 74 with 213.5 yards-allowed-per-game
Rushing defense: No. 87 with 157.5 yards-allowed-per-game
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Scoring defense: No. 73 with 23.5 points-allowed-per-game
Head coach Sam Pittman
Sep 6, 2025; Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman talks to an official during the first quarter against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Pittman has been with the Razorbacks since 2020, and is one game under .500 at 32-33. He has won each of the bowl games that his team has qualified for, showing that with plenty of time to prep, his team can get the job done. They won’t have that luxury against the Irish, so that plays in Notre Dame’s favor.
It’s been a struggle since 2021, after going 9-4, they haven’t won more than seven games in any season. This one could be different, as this might be the most talented team Pittman had had. He’s been coaching since 1984, so most likely he’s seen almost everything. It does seem that Marcus Freeman does have an advantage here, as he’s universally considered the better coach.
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Best offensive player – quarterback Talen Green
The Razorbacks leader in both passing and rushing, Green will pose a pretty big threat for the Irish. He’s been fantastic at home, completing 71.9% of his passes with 10 touchdowns to two interceptions. It took him a season to get used to playing SEC-competition after transferring from Boise State, but he’s taken his game to the next level this fall.
His twelve passing touchdowns are just three behind his career high of 15, and he’s run for more than half of what he did last year in significantly less games. Green through last weekend was leading the nation in total offense, so he’s definitely a player Notre Dame will need to stop.
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Best defensive player – defensive lineman Quincey Rhodes Jr.
The junior is having a huge start to 2025, already with 5 sacks, which is more than Notre Dame has as a team. Rhodes has already tied season’s tackle total, so he’s already on his way to a career-year. A huge frame at 6-foot-6-inches and 276-pounds, he’ll be a load for the Irish offense line, who did play much better against Purdue.
The SEC leader in pressures, there is some chatter that he could declare for the draft in the spring. The Razorbacks move him all around the line, so he’s going to test the tackles, and has the size to slide down inside and wreak havoc. Notre Dame will have its hands full with Rhodes.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Know your foe: Examining Notre Dame’s next opponent, Arkansas
