Conference Southwest Conference 1981 record 8–4 (5–3 SWC) Offensive coordinator Larry Beightol | Coaches No. 16 Head coach Lou Holtz (5th year) Defensive coordinator Don Lindsey | |
The 1981 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. The biggest win of the year was against a #1 Texas team, which the Razorbacks were rivals with already. Although unranked, the Razorbacks came out on top by 31 points, removing Texas' #1 ranking. The Hogs received a Gator Bowl berth against a 10–2 North Carolina team ranked 11th, while the Hogs were unranked at the time. The SWC's champion, SMU, could not participate in a bowl game due to probation.
Defensive lineman Billy Ray Smith was a consensus All-American for Arkansas. Bruce Lahay, a kicker, also received first-team honors. Lahay was in a three-way tie for field goals per game in 1981, hitting on 1.73 per game. This mark was also held by Kevin Butler of Georgia and Larry Roach of Oklahoma State.