FAYETTEVILLE – USA Today ranks Arkansas 19th in its preseason Top 25 coaches' poll. The Razorbacks tallied 438 points in the initial poll released Friday.

"Preseason rankings are largely based on how many players you have returning and how a team finished the previous year," UA head coach Bobby Petrino said. "We have great leadership from within the team, and we are aware of the excitement surrounding the program. We are focused on working hard to prepare for the upcoming season."

Arkansas went 8-5 in 2009, ending with a 20-17 overtime win against East Carolina in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The UA offense led the Southeastern Conference in passing offense (278.8) and scoring offense (36.0) for the first time in program history. UA returns 40 players who started at least one game last season.

Six schools from the SEC are ranked in the USA Today Top 25, which is the most of any conference. Alabama is rated No. 1, followed by Florida (3), LSU (16), Georgia (21) and Auburn (23).

The Razorbacks kick off the season at 6 p.m., Sept. 4 at home against Tennessee Tech.