Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema has his work cut out for him in the tough SEC West. (Tom Lynn/Getty Images)

Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema certainly did his best to fire up the fan base by commenting on Alabama coach Nick Saban’s record when he was coaching Michigan State in the Big Ten.

Bielema, who was hired by the Razorbacks from Wisconsin in December, spoke Wednesday night to the Saline County Razorback Club, who were having their annual fish fry.

He was asked about the challenges of playing in the SEC West and what Bielema said was interesting:

“I came to the SEC for a variety of reasons, but the major one in my mind was to win an SEC championship. You can take Saban’s record when he was at Michigan State and when he was a coach in the Big Ten and put it against mine, and he can’t compare,” Bielema said, according to Hootens.com.

Arkansas plays nine teams this season that made it to a bowl in 2012. Saban’s SEC team, Alabama, on the hand, has dominated college football in the past several seasons, winning two of the past three national championship

Days after its disappointing football season ended with a 20-13 loss to LSU, Arkansas has engaged in talks with representatives of Tigers coach Les Miles, and a five-year, $27.5 million offer is on the table, according to SportsByBrooks.

Exclusive: SbB has learned Arkansas is engaged w/ reps of the interests of Les Miles & a $5-yr $27.5M offer is on the table—
  (@SPORTSbyBROOKS) November 27, 2012

The day after the LSU game, the Razorbacks announced that head coach John L. Smith would not return next season. After beginning the season with national championship aspirations, the team fell out of the top 10 and finished just 4-8 and 2-6 in SEC play.

Smith signed a 10-month contract in April to replace the fired Bobby Petrino. Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said Saturday that Smith would be reassigned as a consultant until his deal expires on Feb. 23, 2013.

Miles’ Tigers, meanwhile, are currently ranked No. 7 after going 10-2 and finishing second in the SEC West. The coach chose to sign a seven-year contract in January of 2011 to remain at LSU, turning down an offer from his alma mater Michigan.

In eight years with the Tigers, Miles has compiled an 85-20 record and won two SEC championships and one BCS National Championship.

Arkansas and Texas A&M have reached an agreement to play their annual game at Cowboys Stadium from 2014 to 2024, according to reports on Twitter.

Texas A&M and Arkansas announce new deal to play at Cowboys Stadium 2014-2024.

—
Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) August 29, 2012

The two schools had previously reached a 10-year deal to play their game at Cowboys Stadium, but they halted those plans when Texas A&M moved to the SEC. Instead, the two will play at Texas A&M in 2012 and at Arkansas in 2013.

The move back to Cowboys Stadium in 2014 will give the two teams a strong event for recruiting.

Bobby Petrino lost his Arkansas job after affair with co-worker. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Bobby Petrino lost $21 million in future earnings when he lost his “dream job” as head football coach at Arkansas, but he’s still haunted by the emotional losses he’s suffered with his wife and family.

Petrino broke down several times in his interview with ESPN’s Joe Schad.

Petrino’s affair with Jessica Dorrell, former Arkansas volleyball player and football recruiting organizer, came to light after the pair was involved in a motorcycle accident April 1 in Arkansas.

Petrino told Schad that he immediately realized the crash would also bring his life crashing down.

Petrino discussed the emotions he went through facing up to his wife, his children and his parents, and accepts responsibility for his downfall. He and his wife are in counseling working to save their marriage.

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson announced today that he will stay in school for his senior season.

QB Tyler Wilson announced today he is returning to the Razorbacks for the 2012 season! #WPS

—
Arkansas Razorbacks (@ArkRazorbacks) January 13, 2012

Wilson helped lead the Razorbacks to an 11-2 record in his junior season. The 22-year-old threw for 3,638 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions in his first year as the team’s starter.

He also helped lead Arkansas to a 29-16 win in the Cotton Bowl Jan. 6. In that game Wilson threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns.

Arkansas’ only two losses this season came to SCC rivals Alabama and LSU. In those two games Wilson threw for 392 yards three touchdowns and two interceptions.