Texas vs. Arkansas 2025 Football Game Set for 2:30 p.m. CT Despite FLEX Designation

The Texas Longhorns and Arkansas Razorbacks are scheduled to clash on November 22, 2025, DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas — with a kickoff time of 2:30 p.m. Central Time listed on the official game center page, even as the matchup retains its FLEX designation. That’s the twist: the Southeastern Conference still reserves the right to move the game’s start time up to 12 days before kickoff, yet the clock is already set. Fans in Austin aren’t just planning tailgates — they’re marking calendars for what could be a pivotal late-season showdown in the SEC’s Western Division.

Why FLEX? It’s Not Just About TV Ratings

The Southeastern Conference uses FLEX scheduling to maximize viewership for games with high stakes — think playoff implications, rivalry tensions, or conference title implications. The Texas-Arkansas game fits all three. Both teams joined the SEC in 2024 (Arkansas in 2012, Texas in 2024), making this the first time since 2011 they’ve met as conference foes. The June 11, 2024 announcement from CJ Vogel, moderator of the On Texas Football Forum, confirmed the FLEX status alongside Georgia’s game as the only two on the 2025 schedule still in flux. But here’s the oddity: texaslonghorns.com lists the game at 2:30 p.m. CT — a time that’s rarely assigned until after FLEX is lifted. Was this a slip? A preview? Or is the conference quietly treating this as a de facto fixed time, knowing how big this game will be?

What We Know About the Game — Even If It’s Still in the Future

The texaslonghorns.com Game Center page, dated November 22, 2025, already shows the final score: Texas 52, Arkansas 37. The Longhorns exploded for 21 points in the third quarter, turning a 20-20 tie into a decisive lead. Arkansas, meanwhile, struggled to sustain drives after halftime, scoring just three points in the third frame. Quarterback Tyler Shough — who, by 2025, would be a senior — threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns, according to the box score. Running back Quinn Ewers added 98 yards and two scores on the ground. For Arkansas, freshman phenom Quinn Ewers (yes, same name — coincidence? Maybe. But fans are already arguing about it online) threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns, but his two interceptions in the red zone proved costly.

It’s unusual for future game results to appear on official sites — but this isn’t just any matchup. It’s the first time Texas and Arkansas have met in Austin since 2011, and the first as SEC rivals since Texas joined. The stadium — DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium — will be packed. With a capacity of 100,000, it’s one of the loudest venues in college football. The noise alone could be a deciding factor.

Television and Broadcast Expectations

While no network was officially named in the June 11 announcement, the pattern is clear. When Arkansas played Texas A&M in October 2025, the kickoff was moved from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT due to storms — a move orchestrated by ESPN. That same network, or its sister channels ABC, ESPN2, or ESPNU, is almost certain to carry this game. The 2:30 p.m. slot is prime for national broadcast: it avoids direct competition with NFL games on Sundays and gives fans in the Central and Eastern time zones a chance to watch before dinner. If the game moves, it’s likely to shift to 7 p.m. CT for ESPN’s primetime slot — especially if both teams are ranked.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Game Matters

This isn’t just another SEC game. It’s a symbolic bridge between two programs with deep histories. Texas was the dominant force in the old Southwest Conference. Arkansas was the scrappy underdog. Now, they’re both in the same league — and both hungry to prove they belong among the elite. The 2025 season will be Texas’s second in the SEC. A win here, especially in a high-scoring affair like the one already recorded on their site, could cement their credibility. For Arkansas, it’s about proving they can compete with the conference’s biggest names — not just survive.

And then there’s the schedule ripple effect. After this game, Texas faces Texas A&M University Aggies on November 28, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. CT — a game that could decide the SEC West crown. If Texas beats Arkansas and wins out, they’ll be in the College Football Playoff conversation. If they lose? The Aggies might get the spotlight.

What’s Next? The Clock Is Ticking

The final decision on kickoff time won’t come until November 10, 2025 — exactly 12 days before the game. Until then, fans should prepare for both 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. CT. The FLEX designation is real. But the fact that the official site already shows 2:30 p.m. suggests the conference is leaning toward keeping it. That’s not a guarantee — just a strong hint.

One thing’s certain: the atmosphere at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium that day will be electric. The Longhorns are playing for legacy. The Razorbacks are playing for respect. And millions of fans across the country will be watching — whether the game starts at 2:30 or 7.