Texas A&M @ Arkansas preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2016 ) Arkansas 24, Texas A&M 45

Texas A&M has built itself some momentum following a heartbreaking season-opening loss - and the Aggies are going to need all the good mojo they can get as they visit Arkansas on Saturday afternoon. Texas A&M has two winnable games on the ledger before opening a brutal four-game stretch against teams currently ranked in the top 20 in the nation.

That 45-44 loss at UCLA in the season opener - a game in which Texas A&M led by as many as 34 points - could have crippled the Aggies' season before it really began. But they bounced back nicely with victories over Nicholls and Louisiana and rank inside the top 40 in points per game (37.7) heading into their SEC opener versus the Razorbacks. Arkansas looked sensational in its opening-week win over Florida A&M, but it followed that up with a lackluster offensive showing in a 28-7 loss to TCU. These teams were ranked when they met a season ago, with No. 10 Texas A&M rolling to a 45-24 victory over No. 17 Arkansas - its fifth straight win in the series.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN. LINE:Texas A&M -2.5

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (2-1, 0-0 SEC): The Aggies' already impressive offense will get a significant boost this week with the return of running back Trayveon Williams, who sat out last week's win over Louisiana with an ankle injury suffered in the victory over Nicholls. Williams rumbled for 203 yards and two touchdowns in Texas A&M's loss to the Bruins and had 11 carries for 53 yards and a score against Nicholls before departing. Coach Kevin Sumlin told reporters that offensive lineman Connor Lanfear and linebacker Otaro Alaka will also be returning from injury.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (1-1, 0-0): The Razorbacks come out of their bye week looking to build on a solid defensive showing to date; Arkansas ranks fifth in the SEC and 17th in the nation in total defense, allowing an average of 268 yards per game. That defense is anchored by standout linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who racked up a career-best 17 tackles in the loss to the Horned Frogs - the most by an Arkansas player since 2010 - and ranks third in the conference in tackles per game (9.5). The Razorbacks hope for a better effort from quarterback Austin Allen, who is completing less than 55 percent of his passes with just two TDs in two games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Williams had 153 rushing yards and two TDs on just 12 carries in last year's win over Arkansas.

2. The Razorbacks have won each of their last three games coming out of a bye week.

3. Texas A&M faces No. 1 Alabama, No. 20 Florida, No. 17 Mississippi State and No. 15 Auburn in consecutive games beginning Oct. 7.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 34, Arkansas 27