Future Ole Miss opponents look dangerous in Thursday night rout

Despite facing an FCS team they were expected to beat, with Vegas having them at -52.5 against the spread, Arkansas looked impressive in their week 1 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Razorbacks scored 70 points without their defense giving up any points.

Arkansas scored ten touchdowns, seven of them coming in the first half. Quarterback Taylen Green was involved in four of those, rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for two, picking out Tyrone Broden and Ty Washington. Green was an off-season transfer from Boise State, with questions on how he would step up to the Power 4 level. This game will not answer those questions, but Ole Miss will need to scheme against his threat as a dual-threat QB when they meet.

Another offensive transfer, running back Ja'Quinden Jackson, showed out alongside Green, rushing for 101 yards and two touchdowns. As a team, Green also added 88 rushing yards, totaling 279 rushing yards. The Razorbacks have leaned on the run heavily over the years, and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino does not look to be moving away from that. Talented tight end Luke Hasz was back after missing most of his freshman season in 2023 through injury. This is all good news for head coach Sam Pittman.

Pittman was one of the early candidates to be fired first this season, alongside Florida head coach Billy Napier. Although there will be much more challenging times ahead, the emphatic win gives the roster some needed positivity as they head to play a tough Oklahoma State side in week 2.

The Ole Miss-Arkansas game is in the distance so that things will change before then. However, the Razorbacks have always made it difficult for the Rebels, even when they aren't playing top-level football. It will be interesting to see if the new offensive players help improve the team in 2024.