Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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40 SEPT. 27, 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED GAME PREVIEW: ARKANSAS Being better on fourth down on both sides of the ball, big special teams plays — blocked kicks and well-executed fakes — and a top-five showing in turnover margin. Those were less pronounced or even reversed in Notre Dame's first two games, but at least the Irish were the 11th-least penalized team in the FBS early on. Arkansas, meanwhile, hadn't even attempted a fourth-down conversion through three games and hadn't blocked a kick or punt, nor had one blocked, nor had a fourth-down converted against them in only two tries. In more traditional intangibles, the college foot- ball world still believes Notre Dame has at least a chance to transform into the College Football Playoff participant the Irish were thought to be in the on-ramp to the season. The Associated Press panel of voters, in fact, made Notre Dame the first 0-2 team since 1988 to be ranked (24th). That 0-2 team 37 seasons ago? Michigan. The Irish may have to hold their noses, but they could take inspiration that the '88 Wolverines never lost a game thereafter, and finished No. 4 in the final poll with a 9-2-1 record, three spots behind the national champion Irish. Notre Dame handed Michigan one of those two early-season losses, 19-17, in the season opener. Translation? Notre Dame has something more to play for, a ceiling to try to touch, and that should help them transcend Taylen Green and a hostile environment in Lou Holtz's old stomping grounds. Advantage: Notre Dame Staff Predictions Todd D. Burlage: Notre Dame 37, Arkansas 34 A game that once had the appearance of a mundane business trip for Notre Dame at Arkansas is now one that could set the course for the rest of this season. While the Irish continue to search for a defensive identity, the Razorbacks showcase one of the most prolific offenses in the country. Led by dual-threat quarterback Taylen Green, the Razorbacks entered Week 4 ranked fifth nationally in total offense (569.3 yards per game) and 11th in scoring offense (47.7 points per game.). Through three games, Green already had 866 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and 2 interceptions to go along with 307 rushing yards and 2 scores. In what's best described as an opportunity game for Arkansas, and a season-survival outing for Notre Dame, gimme the Irish, just barely. Steve Downey: Notre Dame 31, Arkansas 27 Marcus Freeman and Co. have been at their best when their backs are against the wall, responding to difficult defeats during the first month in each of his first three seasons at the helm. An Irish defense that was unrecognizable the first two games will have its hands full with dual-threat quarterback Taylen Green. However, the Razorbacks — who were picked to finish 14th out of 16 teams in the SEC's preseason media poll — are not as talented along the offensive and defensive lines as Mi- ami and Texas A&M, which gives the Irish an avenue to control this matchup and win a close one against an Arkansas team that is just 7-18 in one-score games under head coach Sam Pittman. Eric Hansen: Notre Dame 41, Arkansas 34 If the Irish hold the nation's No. 1 player in total offense, Arkansas' 6-foot-6, 235-pound dual-threat quarterback Taylen Green, and his cohorts to less than 35 points in the first-ever meeting between the two schools in football, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Chris Ash should actually be lauded. Heading into a nonconference matchup with Memphis Sept. 20, the Razorbacks ranked in the top 16 nationally in every significant offensive category except turnovers lost (53rd). The downside? They don't have the defensive prowess to match. Another growth spurt by Irish redshirt freshman CJ Carr should be enough to get Notre Dame the win on the road in Fayetteville, Ark. Tyler Horka: Arkansas 35, Notre Dame 34 The Razorbacks' best side of the ball goes against the Fighting Irish's worst. Couple that with being on the road, and it's not the easiest matchup for Notre Dame to handle. The Irish will do plenty of good in their first-ever game in Fayetteville. There's too much to like about redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr and his array of weapons to think Notre Dame is just going to lie down in this one. But there's also a lot to like about Arkansas signal-caller Taylen Green, and just as Texas A&M's Marcel Reed did versus the Irish in Week 3 it'll be Green who makes the decisive play in another loss versus SEC competition for Notre Dame. Until Marcus Freeman and Chris Ash fully figure out what's wrong with the beyond-leaky defense, the Irish will remain susceptible to falling in games like this. Tyler James: Notre Dame 34, Arkansas 31 Notre Dame might not deserve the benefit of the doubt following this start to the season. The Irish defense still has so much to prove about its potential heading into a matchup with Arkansas and dynamic quarterback Taylen Green. But Notre Dame's coaching should continue to make strides in improving its talented team by flattening the learning curve. The Irish offense has enough firepower to trade blows with the Razorbacks and even sustain through shaky moments in a hostile atmosphere. Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman hasn't been able to win one-score games with any consistency during his tenure, and that trend will continue. Kyle Kelly: Notre Dame 38, Arkansas 37 Although this year is a different Notre Dame team, last year Marcus Freeman's squad went down to College Station and beat Texas A&M in front of a lively Aggies crowd in Week 1. Arkansas has waited to host the Irish in Fayetteville for quite some time, so its fans will be similarly demanding of a win. The difference between Notre Dame's road SEC games last year and this year? Arkansas is an 11 a.m. local time kick. Regardless of the way this season has started, I am picking the Irish to win on the road until proven otherwise. Jack Soble: Notre Dame 38, Arkansas 34 The "one coach has been better than the other in close games" logic failed against Miami, but I'm us- ing it again this time around. Sam Pittman is 7-18 in one-score games throughout his time at Arkansas, and as bad as Notre Dame's defense was through two games, the Razorbacks gave up 41 points to Ole Miss' backup quarterback. After two early-season heartbreakers, the Irish finally break through in Fayetteville and re-enter the national conversation. Redshirt senior linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. tallied a team-high 23 tackles through three games, with 2 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 2 QB hurries, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble. PHOTO COURTESY ARKANSAS ATHLETICS