Florida A&M @ Arkansas preview

After a disappointing end to last season, Arkansas is anxious to get a head start this year when they travel to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Ark., to host Florida A&M on Thursday in the Razorbacks' season opener. Arkansas wants to erase the bitter taste of two late-season defeats that saw a potentially successful campaign head south in a hurry.

The Hogs hope to find consistency on offense led by a traditionally strong running game that can control the clock and wear down opposing defenses with a punishing offensive line. Though Arkansas lost star running back Rawleigh Williams to a career-ending neck injury during spring practice that forced him to retire, Devwah Whaley figures to fill those cleats admirably as the new featured tailback. The sophomore saw success in a limited role last season, rushing for 602 yards while averaging 5.5 yards per carry and landed on the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award. "Last year, as the season wore on, we really thought in certain situations he was a guy that we thought would beat out Rawleigh by the end of the spring and fall," Arkansas coach Bret Bielema told reporters. "And he hasn't done anything to disappoint us in that regard ... I think he's got the bag of all tricks.''

TV: 8 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: None

ABOUT ARKANSAS (2016: 7-6): The Razorbacks struggled on defense last season, allowing 6.75 yards per play. That led to a change at defensive coordinator as former Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads, who served as defensive backs coach last season, takes over a defensive unit that was victimized too often by the big play last season. "I don’t know if embarrassed is the wrong word, but I don’t know if it’s the right word,” Rhoads told Tulsa World. “Nonetheless, we gave up too many yards last year; we gave up too many points and too many big plays.''

ABOUT FLORIDA A&M (1-0): The Rattlers opened their season against Texas Southern on Aug. 26, using a strong defensive effort and balanced offense at home to carve out a 29-7 victory. Florida A&M held the Tigers to 202 yards of total offense -- 62 on the ground, but figure to be in for a bigger challenge while facing an SEC opponent. Quarterback Ryan Stanley threw for one touchdown and ran for another while the backfield tandem of Devin Bowers and Ricky Henrilus combined for 122 yards on the ground.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arkansas opens the season in Little Rock for the first time since 2009.

2. The Razorbacks have won 10 consecutive home openers, outscoring their opponents by an average of 44.2-14.8.

3. Returning Arkansas QB Austin Allen led the SEC in 200-plus yard games (11), yards per attempt (8.6) and completions for a first down (150). He also threw for 300 or more yards four times -- all in SEC games.

PREDICTION: Arkansas 45, Florida A&M 13