ARKANSAS VS. NO. 6 TEXAS A&M

Sneaking up on respectablity

Hogs eye Aggies as beast to end SEC burden

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Arkansas has freed itself from the burden of two long losing streaks in Coach Bret Bielema's second season, but the Razorbacks can unload even more unwanted baggage today with a victory over No. 6 Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium.

There's that 13-game losing streak against SEC opponents still hanging over their heads, along with 10 consecutive losses to ranked teams, dating to Arkansas' last appearance at AT&T Stadium, a 29-16 victory over Kansas State in the 2012 Cotton Bowl.

Arkansas vs. Texas A&M

WHEN 2:30 p.m.

WHERE AT&T Stadium (80,000)

RECORDS Arkansas 3-1, 0-1 SEC; Texas A&M 4-0, 1-0 SEC

RANKINGS Texas A&M is 6/7; AP/Coaches

BETTING LINE Texas A&M by 9 1/2

COACHES Bret Bielema (6-10 in 2nd year at Arkansas, 74-34 in 9th year overall); Kevin Sumlin (24-6 in 3rd year at A&M, 59-23 in 7th year overall)

SERIES Arkansas leads 41-26-3 overall, 3-0 in Arlington

TELEVISION CBS

RADIO Razorbacks Sports Network, including KABZ-FM103.7, in Little Rock; and KQSM-FM, 92.1, KEZA-FM, 107.9, KUOA-AM, 1290 and KUOA-FM, 105.3, in Fayetteville. XM-Radio 91/191, Sirius 91/126

The Razorbacks (3-1, 0-1 SEC) get a chance to keep polishing their improving image at 2:30 p.m. against Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0) in a game that will be televised nationally on CBS.

"We just want to go out there and shock the world and get a 'W'," Arkansas cornerback D.J. Dean said.

"That would be a big thing to get off our record," safety Rohan Gaines said.

Arkansas broke its program-worst 10-game losing streak and a 13-game skid against teams from Power 5 conference teams in back-to-back weeks earlier this month.

Asked early in the week whether he was confident Arkansas could shed the lengthy conference losing streak, Bielema flipped the tables.

"We have a streak, correct?" Bielema said. "We've won four games in this stadium ... three against A&M."

The Aggies, who are averaging 55.2 points per game, are favored by nine points, a line that reflects the power of Arkansas' three consecutive victories, most notably back-to-back routs of Texas Tech and Northern Illinois.

"We've made progress," Bielema said. "We've done certain things better. I think, without a doubt, our guys have a lot more confidence than they maybe had a year ago. But until you've done it on a big stage and against a quality opponent like we're going to see Saturday, it's really just talk."

Third-year Texas A&M Coach Kevin Sumlin said he thinks Arkansas has turned it around after back-to-back losing seasons.

"They're running the ball really well and the play-action game has become a big deal," said Sumlin, 24-6 with the Aggies. "They are a much improved football team over last year. I would argue they should be ranked."

Six SEC West teams are ranked between No. 3 and No. 17 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll, making the Razorbacks, who received nine votes in the poll, the only unranked SEC West team.

The Razorbacks are third nationally in scoring with 48.8 points per game, but they've done it more with the nation's No. 7 run game and by controlling the clock. A&M is No. 4 in passing and No. 117 in time of possession.

Sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill has replaced the departed Johnny Manziel without a hint of a drop-off, completing 69.8 percent of his passes for 339.8 yards per game with 13 touchdowns and 1 interception.

Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith said the Hogs must limit big plays.

"We've got to make them drive the field," Smith said. "We've got to tackle in space and then find a way to create some takeaways and give our offense an extra possession or two. If we can do those things, I think we'll like the results come Sunday morning."

Texas A&M offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said he understands the importance of maximizing possessions.

"Especially playing a team like Arkansas that can control the ball offensively, it's very important for us to get some points out of each drive," Spavital said.

Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney emphasized the importance of the Razorbacks holding the ball and eating time off the clock.

"We can't give them another possession," Chaney said. "We have to secure the football, without any question. When we get it, we have to score as often as we possibly can and be as efficient as we possibly can doing what we do."

A&M defensive coordinator Mark Snyder recalled the success Texas A&M had in its opener, a 52-28 victory at No. 9 South Carolina, because its defense played just 62 snaps.

"Our offense was on the field almost the whole time and that really helped us," Snyder said. "To me, this is going to be our first real test for the run defense."

The Aggies are likely to load the box to stop Alex Collins (122.5 rushing yards per game) and Jonathan Williams (97.8).

"They've played good teams, but they haven't played anyone quite like us yet or quite like our offensive line, the physicality that we have," Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen said.

The Aggies are full of offensive confidence.

"Coach 'Spav' always tells us nobody can stop us, we can only stop ourselves," Texas A&M receiver Malcolme Kennedy said.

Arkansas won the first three games when the series was revived in 2009 at Cowboys Stadium, but the Aggies have won both games against the Hogs as a member of the SEC by a combined 103-43.

"We're just trying to get back up and be a winning program again," Dean said. "If we get this win, we'll most likely be a ranked team, so that would be big for us."

Sports on 09/27/2014

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