Coastal Carolina @ Arkansas preview

One can't blame Arkansas if it sees this week's home date with Coastal Carolina as an opportunity for the Razorbacks' beleaguered defense to get a much-needed breather. Arkansas is coming off a thrilling 38-37 victory over Ole Miss, the first time this season the Razorbacks held an SEC opponent below 40 points.

After surrendering a whopping 191 points in losses to Texas A&M, South Carolina, Alabama and Auburn, Arkansas rallied from a 24-point deficit - and did just enough on the defensive end - to stun the Rebels for their first conference win of the season. "Obviously, we didn't start as fast as wanted," Razorbacks coach Bielema said afterward. "But we definitely finished strong." The Chanticleers are in free-fall, having dropped seven consecutive games following a season-opening victory over Massachusetts. It's the longest losing streak since Coastal Carolina first started competing in football in 2003.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Arkansas -23.

ABOUT COASTAL CAROLINA (1-7): Chanticleers running back Osharmar Abercrombie leads the team in rushing yards (495) and rushing scores (five) but had just four carries for five yards in last weekend's loss to North Texas. Quarterback Tyler Keane went 8-of-16 for 91 yards in the defeat after racking up 332 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 37-29 loss to Appalachian State a week earlier; 900 of his 1,327 passing yards and nine of his 10 scores through the air have come in three games. Coastal Carolina ranks last in the Sun Belt Conference in sacks (11) and second from the bottom in interceptions (two).

ABOUT ARKANSAS (3-5): Look for the Razorbacks' defense to work on several areas of concern against the toothless Chanticleers. Arkansas comes into the weekend allowing FBS opponents to gain 5.6 yards per carry, while opponents have converted 45.1 percent of their third-down opportunities through eight games - ahead of only 17 other Division I teams. Discipline has been one of the Razorbacks' areas of strength so far in 2017; they're averaging just 35.4 penalty yards per game, the sixth-best mark in the nation.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Coastal Carolina ranks fourth in the Sun Belt in yards per carry (4.5) and fifth in total rushing yards (1,290).

2. Arkansas WR Jonathan Nance leads the team in receiving yards (436) but has just eight catches for 62 yards over his last three games.

3. The Razorbacks have allowed 28 sacks, fifth-most in the country.

PREDICTION: Arkansas 41, Coastal Carolina 14