This is the kind of game Arkansas has been waiting for since Bret Bielema arrived in Fayetteville – a chance to get Arkansas back in the national discussion.

“We’re not ranked and I don’t like being the one that’s not. I’m not a big rank guy but I kind of want our place in the history, in that nostalgia,” Bielema said.

Seeking his first career SEC victory, Bielema and his squad are playing some of the best football in the SEC right now. With the exception of a quiet second half in a season-opening loss to Auburn, Arkansas has outscored opponents 174-49 in the midst of their three-game winning streak and possess one of the most dominating offenses in college football.

Facing the Razorbacks this afternoon is Texas A&M. The No. 6 ranked Aggies are one of college football’s most exciting times this season, led by quarterback Kenny Hill. Despite the large discrepancy in the rankings, this game may be more evenly matched than people think as the contrasting styles of both teams should provide an intriguing and close game.

Earlier this season, Arkansas made a statement with a 49-28 blowout road win against the Big 12’s Texas Tech, but today’s game against the Aggies represents another kind of statement. For Bielema, it’ll be an opportunity for him to get rid of his SEC “outsider” label as the only coach outside of first-year coach Derek Mason at Vanderbilt to still not have an SEC victory among conference coaches.

Behind a large and physical offensive line, Arkansas’ strengths lie in their ground-and-pound offense, a style that can wreak havoc on opposing defenses if they avoid turnovers. The pieces are there for the Razorbacks to pull of an upset, but it’ll come down to how they respond when facing adversity against an explosive Aggies offense.

 

In front a large, energetic crowd at AT&T Stadium and a national television audience, it’s a big moment for the Arkansas program, and if they can take advantage of it, it’ll be a monumental step forward for Bielema and his Razorbacks back into SEC relevance.