What's at stake in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl between Arkansas and Texas Tech

Bowl Season rolls on with a sneaky great matchup in Friday’s AutoZone Liberty Bowl from Memphis where the 8-4 Texas Tech Red Raiders face off against the 6-6 Arkansas Razorbacks.

It’s a classic Big 12-SEC matchup, and one where we should expect to see a ton of points scored. Texas Tech averaged 39.6 points per game (the fifth-most in FBS) while giving up 34.5 during the regular season. Arkansas averaged just a hair over 30 points per game.

Both programs would love a win to sustain some postseason momentum. The Red Raiders are seeking their fourth consecutive season with a bowl win — and third straight under head coach Joey McGuire. The Razorbacks, meanwhile, can win their third bowl game under Sam Pittman after failing to reach six wins last year.  

The Liberty Bowl has become a common destination for Arkansas with the Razorbacks making their second trip back to Memphis in three years and fourth overall since 2009. They should be just as familiar with a Texas Tech program they’ve faced 37 teams. The two schools played every year from 1957–1991 as members of the Southwest Conference.

Arkansas leads the all-time series 29-8, however the Red Raiders are 3-1 in their last four matchups against the Hogs going back to 1990. This is their first meeting since 2015 and first ever on a neutral field.