Texas El Paso @ Arkansas preview

A strong finish - and some help - could allow Arkansas to sneak into the BCS at-large picture.

The No. 14 Razorbacks will take a break from their Southeastern Conference schedule when they host Texas-El Paso in their final home game of the season on Saturday.

Arkansas (7-2), one of the more underappreciated teams in the country, has been lost in the shuffle because of a brutal SEC schedule that has included losses to then-No. 1 Alabama in September and No. 2 Auburn last month. But three straight victories, including a 41-20 win over South Carolina last week, have brought the Razorbacks back into the picture as far as the bigger bowl games are concerned.

Arkansas, 15th in the BCS, finishes the season with games against ranked opponents Mississippi State and LSU. Three victories, coupled with some attrition from the teams above, would likely move the Razorbacks back into the Top 10, and possibly into a big money BCS bowl with a 6-2 record in the SEC.

Arkansas' offense is playing better as junior quarterback Ryan Mallett has gotten help from the running game. Sophomore running back Knile Davis has averaged nearly 123 yards per game, and has eight touchdowns over the last three games.

Davis, who totaled 121 yards in the first four games this season, was at his best against South Carolina. He rushed for 110 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries to earn SEC Player of the Week honors. Mallett completed 21-of-30 passes for 303 yards and one touchdown, and ran for a touchdown.

Mallett has drawn the attention of pro scouts after breaking or tying 16 school records last season, and has done nothing to decrease his stock in 2010.

UTEP (6-2), which is 3-4 in Conference USA, became bowl eligible last week with a 28-14 victory over Southern Methodist. Senior quarterback Trevor Vittatoe threw for 183 yards and three touchdowns. He needs one touchdown pass to break Jordan Palmer’s school record of 95.

Vittatoe also passed Brady Quinn, Chase Holbrook and Byron Leftwich last week to move into 15th on the NCAA passing yardage list.

The Miners are 0-22 in front of crowds larger than 55,000. Saturday's attendance is expected to be 72,000 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.