Arkansas football's 2022 schedule: Ranking the Razorbacks' most difficult opponents

Arkansas football's 2022 schedule is one of the SEC's most difficult. The Razorbacks have a combination of the usual challengers in the SEC West and a loaded non-conference slate, plus an up-and-comer out of the East division to handle.

The Razorbacks' 9-4 record in 2021 was considered a smashing success given the program's recent woes. But now, Sam Pittman and Arkansas have the tall task of matching or improving upon that promising finish.

Of Arkansas' already difficult schedule, which are the Razorbacks' toughest games in 2022? Here's our ranking.

12. vs. Missouri State (Sept. 17)

Arkansas' run-in with former coach Bobby Petrino will have plenty of intrigue, but the on-field action won't be nearly as exciting. Missouri State is a good FCS team, and it returns the Missouri Valley Conference offensive player of the year in quarterback Jason Shelley. But the Bears went 8-4 last season with a loss to the lone FBS team they faced in Oklahoma State. The Razorbacks will get a satisfying win over Petrino and the Bears at home.

11. vs. Liberty (Nov. 5)

Liberty has been a mid-major program on the rise under coach Hugh Freeze. But the Flames lost star quarterback Malik Willis to the NFL draft, and even with him, they were 8-4 in 2021 with losses to both Power Five teams they played in Syracuse and Ole Miss. Arkansas hosts Liberty in between difficult conference games, and the Razorbacks will get past the Flames for a solid non-conference win.

10. at Missouri (Nov. 25)

Missouri had beaten Arkansas in the Battle Line Rivalry five years in a row until the Razorbacks claimed the trophy last season. Missouri struggled in 2021, finishing 6-7 and 3-5 in conference play. The Tigers are without an experienced leader at quarterback and lost the SEC's leading rusher in running back Tyler Badie. Missouri isn't expected to be a challenger out of the East.

9. vs. South Carolina (Sept. 10)

South Carolina is another team on the rise, and there's plenty of attention on the Gamecocks with Oklahoma transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler joining the roster. But Arkansas hosts South Carolina for its second game of the season and first road game, and the Gamecocks will still be adjusting to their new QB1 while the Razorbacks return plenty of experience.

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8. vs. Ole Miss (Nov. 19)

Ole Miss went 10-3 against a solid schedule last season, including a narrow win over Arkansas. But the Rebels lost star quarterback Matt Corral to the draft and will be in a transition period with sophomore USC transfer Jaxson Dart. The homefield advantage will help Arkansas in a good matchup.

7. at BYU (Oct. 15)

Arkansas' farthest-flung opponent is also one of its more difficult non-conference games. BYU went 10-3 last season, including wins over six Power Five opponents. Going on the road is always more difficult, and Arkansas will go to Provo for a third consecutive game away from home. It's a winnable game, but not one to be overlooked.

6. vs. Cincinnati (Sept. 3)

Cincinnati was a playoff team with a perfect regular-season record a year ago, and the Razorbacks have to open the season against the Bearcats. Cincinnati is without its star quarterback from last year, Desmond Ridder, and Arkansas gets them at home, making this a slightly more favorable matchup for the Razorbacks.

5. at Mississippi State (Oct. 8)

Mississippi State isn't expected to be a major contender in the West, but the Bulldogs are returning a number of experienced players. Arkansas needed late-game heroics from kicker Cam Little to beat Mike Leach's squad in Fayetteville last year, and those cowbells certainly make Starkville a formidable road destination.

4. vs. LSU (Nov. 12)

LSU is a team in transition, with new coach Brian Kelly and an unproven quarterback. But Kelly is a proven winner, and expectations are high for a big-name coach with plenty of talent on his roster. If the Tigers start the season strong, they could come to Fayetteville with momentum, and LSU vs. Arkansas has a tendency to get weird.

3. at Auburn (Oct. 29)

Auburn severely underperformed last season, but Jordan-Hare Stadium is one of the toughest places to play in the league. Plus, the Tigers' 6-7 season in 2021 included a 15-point win over Arkansas in Fayetteville. If embattled coach Bryan Harsin remains at Auburn in late October and has enough success to keep fans in the stands, Arkansas will have a difficult road test coming off its bye week.

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2. vs. Texas A&M (Sept. 24)

The Southwest Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is a perennially wacky game. It has been close almost every year it has been played at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, including three overtime finishes in four years. It's Arkansas' first game away from Fayetteville in 2022, and Texas A&M has elite talent and high expectations. A Razorbacks win would be hard-fought but a huge statement early in the season.

1. vs. Alabama (Oct. 1)

Who else but Alabama? The defending SEC champion and national runner-up has beaten Arkansas in each of the past 16 years, and the Crimson Tide return Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young at quarterback. Arkansas managed a close game in Tuscaloosa last season, but difficult is an understatement for a matchup with the Tide.

Christina Long covers the Arkansas Razorbacks. You can email her at clong@swtimes.com or follow her on Twitter @christinalong00.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Ranking Arkansas football's most difficult opponents on 2022 schedule