Razorbacks Might Not Beat Georgia, But Offer Test Kirby Smart Didn't Expect

Disruptive defense, questions around Bulldogs QB could turn SEC opener into a four quarter fight

Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart complains about a inadvertent time out call as Auburn Tigers take on Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Georgia Bulldogs defeated Auburn Tigers 20-10. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas doesn’t have to beat Georgia to make them feel uncomfortable.

With conference play opening at home for the first time since 2022, new coach Ryan Silverfield knows his roster may not match up on paper. However, winning what he calls "controlables" could be enough to keep things tight inside Razorback Stadium.

Arkansas has started SEC play at home in:

2026 vs. Georgia
2022 vs South Carolina
2020 vs Georgia*
2012 vs Alabama
2009 vs Georgia
2008 vs Alabama
2005 vs Vanderbilt
2004 vs Alabama
2002 vs Alabama
2001 vs Tennessee
2000 vs Alabama
1998 vs Alabama
1996 vs Alabama
1995 vs South… pic.twitter.com/hqG9MBOfqn

— Jacob Davis (@jacobdaviscfb) May 7, 2026

Win the Small Battles

Every minor detail can build a winning brand of football.

Silverfield has made it his priority to fix the turnovers, penalties, effort, and being the best at situational football that Arkansas has struggled with previously.

Arkansas can play a perfect game in that department and still lose by double-digits against Georgia in Week 3.

What the Razorbacks can do to make fans feel a bit more optimistic about a quick rebuild is show fight on every down on both sides of the football.

On offense, it's not about just picking up the first downs, it's extending plays by moving the pile. Show more enthusiasm when a big play happens. Hurry to the line of scrimmage juiced up and ready to roll again.

Celebrate with a teammate when he scores. Give fans a reason to stay out of their seats after the kick-off.

Defensively, the loafing days are probably over considering only three players at linebacker and secondary return from last season.

If defensive coordinator Ron Roberts and Silverfield have truly drained the "loser mentality" within the locker room, then there should at least be a semblance of a more dialed in unit this fall.

Arkansas Razorbacks coach Ryan Silverfield at spring practice. | Nilsen Roman-allHOGS Images

Testing Gunnar Stockton

By no means was Georgia's starting quarterback the lone reason for another SEC Championship and College Football Playoff appearance. However, Stockton sure helped with efficient play by completing nearly 70% of his passes for 2,894 yards, 24 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

He also contributed with another 462 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground that will force Arkansas to show a little bit more lane integrity.

For Georgia to take that next step this offseason, Stockton must improve how he attacks the field by adding better touch on his intermediate-to-deep passes. Bulldogs' offensive coordinator Mike Bobo didn't ask him to do a whole lot aside from finding playmakers behind or just beyond the line of scrimmage before turning up field for a big play.

Bobo's simplified scheme is even more eye opening when looking at a passing chart, as roughly 60% of plays designed for Stockton were screens, RPOs and off play action. With elite playmaker Zachariah Branch off to the NFL, there's a wide open competition at the receiver spot.

This will test chemistry between Stockton and receivers throughout fall camp and into the regular season as London Humphreys, Georgia Tech transfer Isiaiah Canion, and others contend for starting roles.

If Stockton even moderately improves on his accuracy it can cause some issues for Arkansas' rebuilt secondary. But if Georgia's offense remains a bit more predictable by forcing throws into coverage, then the Razorbacks can create a little havoc on defense.

"When you watch us play, what should you see?" Roberts asked in February. "You want to be able to see that we’re technically sound, fundamentally sound, aligned to formation, all that. The general things in football. We line up things right when defensive formation properly leverages it.

“Our kids should play extremely hard. You should be able to see it in the way we play, that we love the game. And love each other and respect each other by the performance that we put on the football field. You should be able to see that in the tape, in how well we pursue the football, and we’re going to create havoc. Look at how defenses are built nowadays, it’s creating negative plays, turnovers, and getting the ball back for your offense soon as you can.”

Arkansas Razorbacks running back Cam Settles at spring practice. | Munir El-Khatib-allHOGS Images

Area Arkansas Can Expose Bulldogs

Georgia was seemingly giving up up 100 yards at will over the first nine regular season games in 2025. Then, the Bulldogs buckled down to flip their run defense into a strength over the final five games of 2025, allowing just two touchdowns and 47.8 yards per game on the ground.

Arkansas presents a slight challenge given offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey's desire to implement a versatile attack with physicality at the forefront.

Junior running back Braylen Russell and Michigan transfer Jasper Parker will use their bigger bodies to move the pile.

Scatback Sutton Smith likes to get out in space in the passing game, but also has speed that can make defenses pay for not taking the right angles.

Sophomore Cam Settles emerged as a versatile option in the backfield with the ability to line up at multiple positions in the offense.

"Georgia's defense is susceptible to the quick passing game," Eric from the "Bulldawg Report" said. "Quarterbacks who get the ball out quickly limit the Bulldogs' ability to apply pressure."

Bosie State transfer Chris Marshall is known for his speed in the open field, and junior receiver CJ Brown plays well in space.

There's a chance if Georgia hasn't improved its pass rush that jump ball opportunities out wide to redshirt freshman Antonio "AJ" Jordan and Courtney Crutchfield come available.

If Smart's defense continues to lack a serious pass rush compared to last season's 20-sack output, that can allow Arkansas quarterback KJ Jackson to process reads quickly with early tempo. Should the Razorbacks cause disruption early on, then Georgia might be in for an unexpected four quarter fight in the SEC opener.

Razorbacks' 2026 Season Preview

Sept. 5: North Alabama
Sept. 12: at Utah

Sept. 19: Georgia

Stay up to date on all things Razorbacks by bookmarking Arkansas Razorbacks on SI, subscribing to allHogs on Youtube, and following allHogs on Twitter or the allHogs Facebook page.