FAYETTEVILLE -- Bret Bielema said his Arkansas Razorbacks might have been beaten, but they aren't broken after a harrowing 0-4 run through half of their SEC schedule.
The Razorbacks (3-4) take a one-game SEC respite today to celebrate homecoming and face Alabama-Birmingham (4-3) under first-year Coach Bill Clark in an 11 a.m. game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Game sketch
ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM AT ARKANSAS
WHEN 11 a.m.
WHERE Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville
RECORDS Ala.-Birmingham 4-3; Arkansas 3-4
BETTING LINE Arkansas by 27
COACHES Bill Clark (4-3 in first year at Alabama-Birmingham and overall); Bret Bielema (6-13 in second year at Arkansas, 74-37 in ninth year overall)
SERIES First meeting
TELEVISION SEC Network
RADIO Razorbacks Sports Network, including KABZ-FM103.7, in Little Rock; and KQSM-FM, 92.1, KEZA-FM, 107.9, KUOA-AM, 1290 and KUOAFM, 105.3, in Fayetteville. XM-Radio 191, Sirius 126
Arkansas is a 27-point favorite to end its three-game losing streak during which the Hogs' string of SEC losses reached 16.
"Believe me, I so want to be over this," Bielema said Monday in reference to Arkansas' SEC skid. "I want to be where we need to be."
A return to top-10 SEC opponents awaits Arkansas in November -- No. 1 Mississippi State looms next Saturday -- but first the Hogs would like to dodge an upset from the Blazers, who are gunning for their first winning record since 2004.
"This is a good football team, no doubt about that," Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. "We've got to be prepared for that, but at the same time our focus has been on us and our improvement."
Arkansas turned its attention to re-establishing its growing reputation as a punishing team on both sides of the ball. The Hogs struggled to leave an imprint with their ground game in losses to Alabama and Georgia and gave up seven sacks.
"We came into the season and we brought fear to people," offensive guard Sebastian Tretola said. "People were concerned. I don't want to say in the last two weeks we lost that, but we definitely have lost the 'it' factor about us."
After going against the third-rated Alabama rush defense and the 12-ranked Georgia rush defense in back-to-back weeks, Arkansas has seen its rushing average drop from 316.0 yards per game (No. 6 in the nation) to 256.9 yards (No. 17).
"A point of emphasis was for us to get back to who we wanted to be as far as running the ball and being physical, and I feel the kids have tried to do that all week," Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said. "So we'll see how it plays out."
Clark said Alabama and Georgia, with their personnel and schemes, played a role in limiting Arkansas' throwback offense.
"I haven't seen anybody like that for a while," Clark said of Arkansas. "They do it from a myriad of formations and personnel groupings. The next thing you know, you get everybody packed in there and they throw the ball deep down the field ... and that's when you give up the 60, 70 and 80-yard plays.
"You're trying to get these guys stopped before it gets going, but it's scary. They're just so big and they get on you quick."
Chaney said the Blazers' defensive attitude comes through clearly on tape.
"They do not lack for aggression," Chaney said. "They will hit your butt, from the front line of their defense to the linebackers, all the way to the back.
"I've been really impressed watching them play. How they've been successful, it's easy to see. They're hanging their hat on effort and physical play and it shows up in every ballgame."
Arkansas is hoping to get a more determined effort from sophomore tailback Alex Collins, who has lost fumbles each of the past two games while being limited to 44 rushing yards and an average of 2.6 yards per carry. Collins and UAB tailback Jordan Howard, who has 752 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, ranked first and second in rushing among freshman running backs last year.
The Blazers have shown an up-tempo offense that wants to establish the run and take plenty of deep shots through the air.
"The biggest thing for us is we have to stop the run," Smith said. "Their running back is an excellent football player."
Injuries could have an impact. Quarterback Cody Clements and top receiver J.J. Nelson were injured last week and are questionable for the Blazers. Arkansas linebacker Brooks Ellis (knee) is likely a game-time decision.
Nelson has 446 receiving yards and averages 22.3 yards per catch as one of five receivers with 20 or more yards per catch on the Blazers' roster. Former Razorback Maudrecus Humphrey is one of the key wideouts.
"It's a good receiving corps because they have so many with speed and they can catch the ball and they're going to challenge you when the ball is going up in the air," Arkansas cornerback D.J. Dean said.
Arkansas' four losses have come against SEC opponents who were all ranked in the top 10 when the game was played, while the Blazers have road losses to No. 1 Mississippi State and against Conference UCA opponents Florida International and Middle Tennessee State.
"We've done enough positive things to make me feel this team is continuing to take steps in the right direction, but we've got to get a win," Bielema said. "We've got to get a win as many times as possible with our five remaining opportunities to get where we need to be."
Sports on 10/25/2014