Tennessee is 13-6 versus the Arkansas Razorbacks, although they are currently on a three-game losing streak. Can Nico Iamaleva and the Vols turn things around?
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the Tennessee Volunteers have enjoyed an excellent start to the season. They have blown past opponents, including knocking down the then-No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners as a “warm welcome” to the SEC.
The Vols dashed the NC State Wolfpack’s hopes of remaining in the Top 25 with a 41-point hammering and outscored their two previous opponents (Chattanooga and Kent State) by a combined 137 points, allowing only one field goal to the Chattanooga Mocs.
However, Tennessee’s journey forward is not without bumps. In Week 6, the Vols travel to Fayetteville to face the Arkansas Razorbacks. While the Razorbacks are unranked and have a 3-2 record this season, they have spoilt many Tennessee seasons in the last decade.
The two SEC programs have met 19 times, and Tennessee leads Arkansas in the all-time series. However, since 2011, the Razorbacks have beaten the Volunteers three times in a row.
Tennessee at Arkansas – Nov. 12, 2011
The Vols were stomped in 2011. There truly isn’t another way to look at it. Playing on the road is always difficult, but playing in Fayetteville raises the bar even higher.
Tennessee only scored one touchdown when it visited Arkansas 13 years ago, but Arkansas was able to neutralise the Volunteers’ defence and score seven touchdowns of its own. Tennessee was sent packing after four quarters, with Arkansas winning 49-7 over the Vols.
Arkansas at Tennessee – Oct. 3, 2015
The game was played at home, and the score was much tighter, but the Arkansas Razorbacks once again defeated the Tennessee Volunteers in 2015.
Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs was making a reputation for himself, but even his high-powered offence was enough to defeat the Pigs. The Vols only lost by four points this time around, but it could have stung more because Arkansas came into Rocky Top to hand them the loss.
Tennessee at Arkansas – Nov. 7, 2020
Recently, the Vols were defeated for the third time in a row. Tennessee was on the road again in Fayetteville, hoping to defeat the Razorbacks for the first time since 2007.
The Razorbacks won their third game in a row against the Volunteers, despite an atrocious and messy performance by both the Tennessee offence and defence. Tennessee lost 24-13 and suffered another defeat at the hands of Arkansas.
This season, Arkansas and Tennessee will face off on October 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Razorbacks’ game against the Vols will be aired on both ABC and ESPN+. Currently, the Volunteers are 13.5 point favourites.