Arkansas vs. Memphis 2025 Preview: Keys, Players and Predictions

On Saturday, Arkansas and Memphis will square off in the land of the Delta Blues for a game that is a must-win for Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman and a major opportunity for Ryan Silverfield and Memphis. Arkansas (2-1) is coming off of a 41-35 road loss to Ole Miss in its SEC opener, while Memphis (3-0) has had its way with three relatively easy non-conference opponents so far.

Here’s what you need to know before a pivotal showdown between the Hogs and Tigers inside Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Memphis Tigers: Series History

Arkansas and Memphis have played five times, with all five games occurring in the 1990s. Surprisingly, Memphis leads the series 3-2.

The last game between the two schools occurred in Memphis in 1998, with the Razorbacks taking a 23-9 win in Houston Nutt’s first year as the Head Hog. Memphis won the first three games of the series, with Arkansas taking the final two. With a win on Saturday, Arkansas would even the series at three games apiece.

Arkansas vs. Memphis 2025 Preview: Keys, Players, and Predictions

Key Players for Arkansas

For the Razorbacks, everything starts and ends with Taylen Green.

Green proved that the gaudy numbers he put up against Alabama A&M and Arkansas State weren’t a fluke with a 400-plus yard, two-touchdown performance in Arkansas’ loss to Ole Miss. Arkansas’ lackluster defensive play – especially in the secondary – seems to point towards a season in which Green will have to keep up that pace in order for the Hogs to win games.

Green does have help on the offensive side of the ball, however. Mike Washington has emerged as a true RB1 for the Razorbacks through the first quarter of the season. Washington has accounted for 339 total yards and four total touchdowns through the first three games. He showed off his blazing speed with a 47-yard touchdown burst against Ole Miss, proving he can outrun SEC defenses when he needs to.

Key Players for Memphis

It’s Memphis’ defense that has been the star of the show through the first three games of 2025.

The Tigers’ strong defense has been anchored by senior linebacker Sam Brumfield, who has accounted for 17 tackles and three sacks through the first three contests of the season. He’ll have to get through a much-improved Razorback offensive line on Saturday in order to keep those numbers up.

Offensively, quarterback Brendon Lewis will have to play the game of his life to give the Tigers a chance. Arkansas’ secondary was carved up by Ole Miss a week ago, but Memphis will have to contend with SEC speed and size – a much different dynamic than the size and speed of Chattanooga, Georgia State and Troy.

Lewis has been solid to start the season, but he can’t afford to turn the ball over, as he did once against Chattanooga. Lewis will have to take what the Razorback defense gives him – including running lanes, when available.

2025 Game Preview: How Arkansas Wins vs. Memphis in Week 4

Let Taylen be Taylen.

There was a flurry of talk in the offseason among Razorback pundits and fans regarding how successful Bobby Petrino’s offense was in his second year as head coach at Arkansas in 2009. In his second year as offensive coordinator at UA, Petrino’s offense has also taken a huge step forward, led by the efforts of Green.

Arkansas must protect Green in the passing game, and Petrino must take advantage of the quarterback’s speed in the run game. If Green can keep the Memphis defense on its toes, the Hogs should have no problem putting up 40-plus points on the scoreboard.

How Memphis Pulls off the Upset

Keep the pressure on Arkansas.

For all the negative talk surrounding Arkansas going into this game, it’s a game the Razorbacks should win with relative ease.

Yet, the Razorbacks have a tendency to lose games they absolutely shouldn’t. This is a perfect example of a trap game, and one where Arkansas’ worst flaws could bite them.

For Memphis, putting pressure on Arkansas early – either with a turnover or an early score – can get the Tiger faithful on their feet and could plant a seed of doubt in the collective mind of the Razorbacks. In order to win, Memphis must at least keep the game competitive until the fourth quarter – and that’s where the Razorbacks have the opportunity to crumble and lose a game that could be the final nail in the coffin of Pittman’s tenure in Fayetteville.