The Arkansas Razorbacks will open their 2026 football season Saturday afternoon in a highly anticipated matchup against North Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
This game marks the beginning of the Ryan Silverfield era, with Silverfield taking the reins as the Razorbacks' 35th head coach. Arkansas is coming off a challenging 2-10 season in 2025 but enters the new campaign with an overhauled roster featuring more than 80 newcomers, including transfers and incoming freshmen. Silverfield has emphasized using the fresh talent to engineer a turnaround in his first year.
North Alabama (1-0) is also bringing new energy to the field. The Lions defeated Samford in Week 0 and carry momentum into what will be their first-ever meeting with Arkansas. The North Alabama roster includes multiple transfers from Memphis, where Silverfield previously served as head coach.
Elsewhere, Arkansas State begins its 2026 season with a road game against Memphis on Saturday evening. The matchup is set for 7 p.m. at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The Tigers (1-0) come off a 27-21 road victory over UNLV, buoyed by a strong defensive showing that included six sacks. Memphis will aim to build on that momentum as the program sees its first year under new management since Silverfield's departure.
Meanwhile, Arkansas State (0-0) continues under head coach Butch Jones, who has led the Red Wolves to bowl games in each of his five seasons with the Sun Belt program. Jones enters his sixth year looking to sustain the team’s success in postseason play.
The Missouri State Bears also begin their season on Saturday in a significant challenge against the Texas A&M Aggies. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. The Bears are entering their second season at the FBS level as a member of Conference USA, and they welcome a new head coach to lead the program this year.
Texas A&M, which made a run to the College Football Playoff in 2025, is aiming for its second consecutive 10-win season — a feat not accomplished by the Aggies since the early 1990s. Head coach Mike Elko will look to carry over that success and push for another postseason appearance.
The 2026 football season is officially underway, bringing fresh opportunities and tough matchups for teams across the Natural State.