Back to the Arkansas Razorbacks Newsfeed

Bret Bielema: Arkansas is ‘never’ playing Arkansas State

Don’t expect Arkansas to play a certain in-state foe any time soon.

Speaking at the Northwest Arkansas Razorback Club Golf Tournament, Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema didn’t mince his words when asked if he would like to see his team play Arkansas State.

“No,” Bielema said. “Never. Never.”

This decades-old discussion has resurfaced in light of Michigan backing out of an upcoming home-and-home series with Arkansas, leaving the school in a scheduling bind.

Arkansas’ policy against playing in-state schools goes back to the 1940s, and then-athletic director and football coach John Barnhill.