FAYETTEVILLE – Several times in fall camp did Bret Bielema break down his outlook on the season.

There is the “pre” season, aka: nonconference.

There is the SEC season.

And there is the postseason. In that he meant both the bowl game and the practices leading up to it.

The first one has been a mess for the Arkansas coach and team. It’s been so bad, actually, it’s led most to believe that third one stands almost no chance of coming to fruition.

Unless, of course, the middle one. Arkansas starts the second portion of Bielema’s three on Saturday against Texas A&M. Two straight losses, to Toledo and Texas Tech, have the mood sour in Arkansas, maybe even somewhat hostile. But a win against the Aggies would strengthen the Razorbacks resolve and maybe even keep hope alive for that third season after all.

Here are five players to watch in Arkansas versus Texas A&M.

Arkansas WLB Dre Greenlaw – This time last year Greenlaw was preparing for his first Class 7A West conference game at Fayetteville High School. Now he’s a mile up the road from the FHS stadium. Greenlaw had nine tackles last week against Texas Tech as he moved into his first significant duty of the season. He’s taken over for the team’s best and most experienced linebacker, Brooks Ellis, who moved back to the middle.

Arkansas MLB Brooks Ellis – The reason Ellis moved, part of it, is because the middle of the field was continually being torched. UTEP, Toledo and Texas Tech all made their most significant hay straight up the gut. Passing or running. It didn’t matter. There was too often a gaping hole in the smack center of the field. Ellis is there to close to that.

Arkansas RB Alex Collins – Collins had his best game of the season against the Red Raiders, running for 170 yards and a touchdown. It took him 28 carries, though, an easy career high. Arkansas finished with more rushing yards against Texas Tech than did UTEP when the Miners visited Lubbock. Collins’ numbers looked good, but more efficiency is needed at a higher clip.

Arkansas RB Rawleigh Williams III – If Williams continues to come on, Collins won’t have to carry the load by himself. The freshman had eight carries for 31 yards against Texas Tech. That’s 3.9 yards per carry. It isn’t great. But it’s something. With Kody Walker injured and his likely focus on fullback when he does return, Williams will have to grow up quickly if the rubber is going to stay on Collins’ tires, so to speak.

Texas A&M QB Kyle Allen – The Arkansas pass defense is ranked 11th in the SEC. Texas Tech threw for 315 yards against the Razorbacks. Texas A&M threw for 302 last week. The secondary is supposed to be the strength of the Arkansas defense, and while the numbers are a little skewed considering Texas Tech’s pass-happy offense, the Aggies are hardly the opposite. Kyle Allen will throw the ball. It will be up to a (so far) underachieving Arkansas defensive backfield to stop him.