FAYETTEVILLE — If you’re keeping score at home, the Arkansas Razorbacks have been outscored by 100 points in their six games this season.

But the Razorbacks, somehow, are 3-3 in Coach Bobby Petrino’s first season.

Arkansas has plenty of blemishes for all to see, most notably a three-game stretch in which it was beaten by Alabama, Texas and Florida by a combined total of 108 points.

Yet, there is also reason for hope after a 25-22 upset of then-No. 20 Auburn last Saturday.

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To date, Arkansas has won both games in which it was favored and took out Auburn on the road as a 17-point underdog.

Arkansas struggled mightily in its three other games, losing to now-No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Alabama and No. 5 Florida and enduring embarrassment over the vast margins of defeat.

The next six games, beginning Saturday at Kentucky, will tell the tale. Will the Hogs continue to show improvement and challenge for bowl eligibility by winning at least three of their remaining games ?

Petrino cannot predict how many more games the Hogs will win, but he likes what he has seen in recent weeks.

“I do like the improvement that we’ve made and our under- standing of how to practice and prepare for a game and taking it on the field for four quarters is better,” Petrino said this week. “We are improving.” Now, let’s break down the Razorbacks, position by position:

OFFENSE Offensive line The Razorbacks rank 118 th out of 120 teams in giving up 3 1 / 2 sacks per game, a statistic that was accentuated when Texas sacked Arkansas quarterbacks seven times. The trend did not continue last week at Auburn, where the Tigers managed one sack — attributed after the game — on Casey Dick. Center Jonathan Luigs is this unit’s leader, and tackle Jose Valdez has been pretty good. There has been considerable shuffling in the lineup, with the season-long absence of guards Mitch Petrus and Kareem Crowell, injuries to DeMarcus Love and Michael Aguirre and tackle Ray Dominguez missing one game. Arkansas’ total offense figure of 363 yards per game isn’t half bad. GRADE C

Receivers Two key points: Tight end D. J. Williams is turning into the playmaker he was touted to be in the spring; and freshman Joe Adams is an emerging star, who commands multiple touches per game because he makes things happen. Glaring drops marred the performances of the wideouts in the first two games, but they’re catching the ball better now. Their downfield blocking at Auburn was the best they’ve shown all season. Junior London Crawford, Adams and Williams are the only receivers with a reception in every game. Freshman Jarius Wright has six of his catches in the Hogs’ three losses and no catches in the victories. GRADE B-minus Running backs Where would this team be without mighty mite Michael Smith ? He leads the SEC in rushing (119. 8 ypg ) and allpurpose yardage (166. 4 ypg ). Smith averages 22 rushing attempts, and he’s third on the team with 20 catches for 217 yards. There is a concern about loading up Smith, a 5-7, 173-pound junior, with too many opportunities to get hit. Freshmen Dennis Johnson and De’Anthony Curtis need to become more integrated into the plans. GRADE B

Quarterback Casey Dick has had a peaks-andvalleys career at Arkansas, and this season has been a microcosm of it. Dick led fantastic finishes to win the first two games and had a solid second half against Auburn when he ran for a score and caught a touchdown pass, but didn’t throw one himself, wiping out the memory of forgettable performances in losses to Alabama, Texas and Florida. Freshman Tyler Wilson has promising days ahead, but the coaches have no doubt that Dick gives them the best chance to win. It would have been difficult picturing Wilson guiding that second-half comeback at Jordan-Hare last Saturday. GRADE C-plus

DEFENSE Defensive line This group came alive last week, led by junior Adrian Davis, who forced a fumble, had an interception and posted three sacks. Tackle Malcolm Sheppard harassed Chris Todd into a bad throw that led to Davis’ interception, and end Damario Ambrose sacked Kodi Burns (Fort Smith Northside ) on the first snap of the game. True freshman Zach Stadther has been a pleasant surprise filling in for injured senior tackle Ernest Mitchell. More physical play against the run and a stiffer pass rush is still needed, so there is still plenty of room for improvement. GRADE B-minus

Linebackers Positive things started happening when Freddy Burton came off a twogame suspension and Wendel Davis recovered well enough from knee surgery to fill the middle, allowing Jerry Franklin to move to the outside, where he is best suited. The return of Elston Forte from a knee injury was also helpful. The Razorbacks have been more solid against the run, and Franklin and Davis each have an interception in the past two games. Arkansas must continue to drop its average of allowing 183 rushing yards per game. GRADE C

Secondary Isaac Madison hasn’t been flashy at one corner, and he’s given up some plays, but he’s starting to gain confidence as a sophomore. Another sophomore, cornerback Ramon Broadway, showed some aggressive tackling, though he was flagged for a pass interference call, in a solid first start last week in Jamar Love’s spot. The starting safeties are now both true freshmen — Elton Ford and Jerico Nelson — and there has certainly been some misreads. But they like to hit, and this Hogs defense will grow with them the next few years. Dallas Washington and Matt Harris are picking up steam after a tough day against Alabama. Harris secured the upset at Auburn with a diving interception. GRADE C-minus

Special Teams The field goal team is 3 of 7 on the year, with one blocked attempt. Alex Tejada, who missed three field goals and an extra-point attempt before being replaced by Shay Haddock, must regain his confidence somehow. Kickoff coverage ranks last in the SEC, averaging almost a full 10 yards less per kickoff and return than this week’s opponent, Kentucky, and allowing a 97-yard touchdown return last week. On the good side, Jeremy Davis boosted his average to 44. 2 yards per punt with a big game last week, and he now ranks second in the SEC. Both freshman kick returners, Elton Ford and Dennis Johnson, have fumbled away kicks to open a half this season. GRADE D

Coaching For a while there, it looked like Bobby Petrino and staff might have pounded this team’s nose into the ground. But their gritty efforts began showing with a quality performance for three quarters against Florida and in last week’s 25-22 victory at Auburn. There are still confidence issues, but the staff has kept emphasizing the positives, and when the games have gone down to the wire, Arkansas has come out on top in every one. Alabama recently went four consecutive seasons without winning one game in which it trailed entering the fourth quarter. Petrino’s Razorbacks have done it three times in six weeks, and they’ve positioned themselves to at least be in the bowl conversation during the final month of the season. GRADE B-minus