By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

FAYETTEVILLE — The protection problems were obvious, especially in the second half.

The cornerbacks struggled to keep pace with Troy’s wideouts all game. And there was a distinct sloppiness in the second half, which made Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino feel as if he watched “two different games.”

Arkansas’ struggles from the 38-28 win against Troy were still fresh in everyone’s mind Monday, as the 14th-ranked Razorbacks (3-0) began preparation for their Southeastern Conference showdown at No. 3 Alabama (3-0) on Saturday. But Petrino also played the role of optimist, assuring it didn’t mean the Razorbacks were in big trouble as the competition level increases.

“You know, we’re all right guys,” Petrino said. “We scored 38 points, you know? We had a good win. We threw the ball for a very good percentage for a lot of people in the world. We’re all right. We’re doing OK. Our standards are high. We’re going to push them hard to work for perfection.”

There’s good reason to press for it. Arkansas will have to be at its best as it travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., facing its first true test after three nonconference games this month.

The Crimson Tide also is the first hurdle in Arkansas’ eight-game SEC schedule. And what an obstacle. Alabama has placed itself in the early-season national title discussion after a dominant start, which included a 27-11 win at Penn State on Sept. 10 and a 41-0 tune-up victory against North Texas last Saturday.

And Alabama has been a frustration, in particular, for the Razorbacks.

The Crimson Tide has won four straight against Arkansas, including last season’s 24-20 victory in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks jumped out to a 20-7 lead in that game, but struggled to move the football in the second half and lost.

Safety Tramain Thomas said it’s something Arkansas has been thinking about since.

“Pretty much since last year’s game we have been wanting to get back at these guys,” Thomas said. “We have the opportunity and now we have to seize the opportunity.”

Alabama safety Robert Lester, who had two interceptions in last season’s game, knows the Razorbacks are looking for an upset.

“They’re a great team,” Lester said. “They’re going to come and try to get a ‘W,’ and that’s exactly what we’re going to try to do.”

Arkansas has prepared for the rematch for some time as well. Petrino revealed Monday the Razorbacks treated one week of their preseason practice as if it was Alabama preparation.

Petrino said Arkansas does that every year, usually for the SEC opener. Last season there was extra time spent on Arkansas’ conference opener at Georgia. Now it’s Alabama.

“We had it in the back of our mind that it was going to be our opener for SEC and it was really going to dictate how the season will go for us,” Wingo said. “I feel we’re going to come this week in practice and be ready Saturday.”

And with the real Alabama week’s arrival, Wingo said the work will be important.

“We’re going to have a lot of energy and intensity,” Wingo said. “But we’ve also got to be level-headed and not have too much energy where we’re making stupid mistakes that we shouldn’t be making in practice.”

Arkansas’ goal, instead, is to clean up the problems that persisted against Troy.

Petrino wasn’t overly concerned with some of the issues, believing his team may have lost its concentration after jumping out to a 31-7 lead.

“We lost some focus. We lost some energy, you know?” Petrino said. “We didn’t have the ball as much. When you got three-and-outs you’re not going to have the ball as much. It was a combination of really everything.”

Petrino said the technical issues (pass protection, cover skills, etc.) must be addressed when Arkansas practices this week.

But no one needs to remind Arkansas how important it is to be at its best Saturday.

“It’s big,” Thomas said of the SEC opener. “Not just for our team but our whole program. We want to get the win. That’s what our main goal is. We have been working on that the whole offseason and I think we are capable of doing it.”

Saturday’s Ticket
No. 14 Arkansas (3-0) at No. 3 Alabama (3-0)
When: 2:30 p.m.
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
TV: CBS
Radio: Razorback Sports Network
Satellite Radio: Sirius (Ch. 91), XM (Ch. 91)
Series Record: Alabama leads 13-8
Last Meeting: Alabama 24, Arkansas 20 in 2010
Coaches: Arkansas — Bobby Petrino (26-15 in fourth season); Alabama — Nick Saban (41-11 in fifth season)