FAYETTEVILLE - Despite the Arkansas Razorbacks wallowing 0-2 in the SEC West, voters in the Associated Press and Amway Coaches polls kept perspective on Arkansas because of who beat Arkansas.

The Razorbacks (4-2 overall) remain in the Top 25 at 22nd in both the Associated Press and Amway Coaches poll, dropping from last week 16th in the AP poll and 17th in the coaches poll.

No. 1 reigning national and SEC champion Alabama beat Arkansas 49-30 Saturday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

Now No. 6 Texas A&M beat the Razorbacks 45-24 three weeks ago at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The next two Saturdays bring Arkansas two more ranked SEC West opponents.

The Ole Miss Rebels (3-2 overall and 1-1 in the SEC) rank 12th in AP and 13th in the Coaches poll and come to Reynolds Razorback Stadium for Saturday’s 6 p.m. on ESPN.

The Auburn Tigers (4-2, 2-0 in the SEC West) won last week at SEC West rival Mississippi State , now rank No. 23 in AP and is he leader among vote-getters just short of the Coaches’ Top 25.  At its Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., Auburn hosts Arkansas at 5 p.m. on Oct. 22 on ESPN.

The Arkansas vs. Auburn kickoff time and TV coverage was announced Monday.  Like Ole Miss this Saturday, Auburn will enter its Arkansas game after an open date.

Arkansas’ open date is Saturday Oct. 29 prior to the Razorbacks hosting Florida on Nov. 5 in Fayetteville. Florida  of the SEC East ranks 14th and 18th in Monday’s Coaches and AP polls.

GREENLAW’S REPRIEVE
Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said Monday he was “too quick”  presuming last Saturday night  that sophomore weakside linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s season ended after breaking a bone in his foot on the second series against Alabama.

Greenlaw did undergo surgery Monday, Bielema said, but the coach said he’s been told Greenlaw possibly could return in four to six weeks.

SCOOTA AND EUGENE  SUMMONED
*Though each missed some alignments, freshman De’Jon “Scoota” Harris made four tackles and forced a fumble, and junior Dwayne Eugene logged an interception and made three tackles, splitting weakside linebacking time against Alabama after Greenlaw’s exit.

“I thought both De’Jon Harris and Dwayne Eugene did an admirable job when they got in there,” Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith said Monday. “We are going to look at ways to put them in some  better positions this week when they get in the football game.  I think both those guys have worked really hard and earned this opportunity. We will kind of see how things shake out this week but I am excited to see these guys progress through this week of practices and see them in action on Saturday.”

Which one starts in Greenlaw’s place?

“I think we are going to take it one day at a time,” Smith said. “Both those guys are going to prepare as if they are starters and  whoever performs the best will emerge there. I think both of those guys are very, very capable. I am excited to work with them them this week and  excited to see what they do.”

From the first day that Harris practiced in preseason, Bielema projected big things in Harris’ future but said Eugene’s junior experience put him ahead last Saturday.

Because Greenlaw’s injury depletes depth, junior Khalia Hackett, a backup at the season’s outset demoted to scout team, practices with the varsity this week.

And because Scoota Harris will cease practicing as the reserve middle linebacker behind senior Brooks Ellis, senior Josh Williams and sophomore Josh Harris of Watson Chapel, will alternate at second-team middle linebacker, Bielema and Smith said.

Josh Harris has been a demon on special teams, making seven tackles in five games.

Hackett’s career has been marked by ups and downs, but his ups have had him practicing first team at times.

“I actually just had a conversation with Hack,” Bielema said.  “We wanted him to take a step in maturity. He's pretty much been out of the game plan the last three or four weeks, and he expressed to me he needed to do it and he’s  shown signs of that the last two weeks down on scout team and his details in the classroom as well. That's why I'm rewarding him with an opportunity.”

ALLEN BOUNCES BACK
Despite officially taking a six-sacks beating from Alabama  and unofficially far worse considering how often he was hit right after delivering most of 48 passes, junior quarterback  Austin Allen announced himself ready to go Sunday, Bielema said.

I walked into the QB room Sunday afternoon and I just said ‘How you doing my friend?,” Bielema said. “And he says ‘I feel great.’ What he put on film gains great respect from our players and coaches. When you’ve got No. 8 (Allen's number) playing quarterback back there for you, you better play until that whistle blows. Don’t give up on a route. Don’t give up on a block. Don’t stop protecting, because he’s going to keep it alive.”

Offensive coordinator Dan Enos lauded Allen trying to take out a tackler on his 18-yard run.

“Man, that's awesome, watching him do that!” Enos said. “Third-and-20, he makes that 18-yard run. Lowers his shoulder. I mean, what a competitor. Tough guy. I'm really, really proud of the way he competed.”