Alabama game scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN

Alabama game scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN

Contest will feature two top 20 teams

UA Media Relations FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 20 Arkansas’ SEC home opener against No. 1 Alabama at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 8, will be televised nationally on ESPN starting at 6 p.m. CT, the SEC announced Saturday night.

It marks the third time in the opening six games that Arkansas will be the evening game on ESPN.

With the updated national polls scheduled to be released on Sunday, Arkansas could potentially face the No. 1 team in the Associated Press poll for 22nd time in program history and the ninth time at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Three of the Razorbacks’ last five showdowns against the No. 1 team in the nation have been against Alabama.

Both teams could enter the game ranked for first time since 2011. Arkansas’ 4-1 start is also its best start through five games since 2011, as it picked up its 10th win in its last 12 games with a 52-10 triumph over Alcorn State at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. With a win over Kentucky, Alabama would enter Saturday’s game with the longest win streak in the nation at 17 games, including 10 straight SEC contests.

By Brandon Langlois