When Arkansas lost its season opener to Auburn last season, it was the first time the Razorbacks went down in the first game since 2006, when the Razorbacks lost 50-14 to Southern California in Fayetteville.
The Hogs will try to get back to their winning ways Saturday when they host Texas-El Paso, a school famous for winning the 1966 NCAA basketball national championship when it was known as Texas Western.
The Miners are the only school in the state of Texas to win a national championship in basketball.
It is an interesting campus that has a view of the Rio Grande, but it is not steeped in football tradition.
The last football coach with a winning record at UTEP was Bob Stull, who was 21-15 in 1986-1988.
The five head coaches before Stull and the five since had losing records. That includes Coach Sean Kugler, who is starting his third season in El Paso. Dating back to 2000, the Miners are 0-5 in bowl games.
However, after going 2-10 in his first season Kugler led the Miners to 7-6 last season.
Kugler basically cleaned house after the first season, and he runs a disciplined program. The line for Saturday's game may be Arkansas by 33, but Kugler's team will be playing hard, not betting.
There is no way the Razorbacks are taking this game lightly, and neither should the Razorbacks Nation, even though the Miners are picked third in the West Division of Conference USA.
They have a big offensive line, with every lineman on the two-deep going more than 300 pounds. They have three starters back, including talented running back Aaron Jones, who rushed for 1,321 yards last season on 242 carries.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Mack Leftwich has been named the starter. He started four games for the Miners as a true freshman in 2013.
He's a dual-threat quarterback and smart. His dad Spencer is the assistant head coach and offensive line coach, so Leftwich grew up with football 365 days and year and those guys up front are going to make sure they do everything in their power to protect him.
Still, they are playing an improving Razorbacks team that has bottomed out and is on the way back up.
Arkansas' offensive line, especially the starting five, may be one of the best offensive lines in school history with four starters back.
Denver Kirkland has been moved to his natural position at tackle. Dan Skipper, as everyone knows, is fearless and a fiery fighter on every snap. Mitch Smothers has developed into a very good center.
Sebastian Tretola was athletic last season but will be even more effective after losing about 30 pounds. Frank Ragnow will start at right guard after playing in nine games last season and earning a spot on the league's All-Freshman team.
There are some new faces at receiver, and where that position was thin last season it is now pretty deep with a couple of speedsters who can stretch the field.
Brandon Allen is a fifth-year senior with two seasons as a starter under his belt.
Running back Alex Collins is at least back to his freshman speed and can move a pile.
Last season the defense made huge strides from the season before, and the only question marks this season may be at linebacker. Outside of Brooks Ellis, there has been some shifting around with the other linebackers in the final week of preparation.
The weather forecast is for highs in the 80s, and that is great tailgating weather for this time of the year.
Expect the Hogs to need a couple of possessions to get in a groove, but their pounding will eventually take a toll on UTEP, a school with a good coach trying to get on the right track the right way.
Sports on 09/03/2015