Thanks to Michigan dropping out of scheduled games against Arkansas in 2018 and 2019, the Razorbacks currently have two spots open to find marquee opponents to play in the near future. Thus far, the process hasn’t been a successful one.

When recently asked about the status of finding a replacement for Michigan, Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long described the situation as ‘not going very well’ months after learning of the Wolverines’ decision to drop the Razorbacks for Notre Dame.

“It does leave us in a bind, and it’s a kind word to say we’re ‘struggling’ to fill that opening,” Long said, according to Bob Holt of Arkansas Online. “Schedules are done so far in advance. There aren’t any Power 5 teams — or very few — that want to play us that are available.”

Shortly after Michigan announced its intentions to pull out of the series, both head coach Bret Bielema and Long expressed their disappointment in the decision.

Despite the disappointment and tough position the move has left Arkansas in, according to Long, the school continues to work tirelessly to fill the void in the schedule.

“There’s not a day that goes by that we aren’t having a call trying to convince somebody to do something different. It’s very late (in the process). We knew that when [Michigan] pulled out.”