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Previewing Alabama vs. Arkansas: The Razorback defense

After a dramatic improvement under defensive coordinator Robb Smith in the last two seasons, the Razorbacks still have to prove themselves an SEC-caliber unit

After years of languishing in the cellar of SEC defensive performances, there's change afoot in Fayetteville. While head coach Bert Bielema has done his best to transform the air attack of former coach Bobby Petrino to his own patented flavor of "ground and pound," one of the biggest transformations required to keep the Razorbacks competitive has come on the defensive side of the ball.

Before the arrival of defensive coordinator Robb Smith, a relative unknown to most of the SEC, the Arkansas defense was nothing short of putrid.