With UGA on the way, Bielema expects Arkansas to rebound from losses

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Just because Bret Bielema was emotional following yet another Southeastern Conference loss doesn't mean he's close to abandoning hope for Arkansas' season.<br /> <br /> The Razorbacks' second-year coach fought back tears following a 14-13 loss to No. 7 Alabama on Saturday night, the school's 15th straight defeat in SEC play.<br /> <br /> What made the loss particularly difficult for Bielema to handle was that it was the second straight game in which Arkansas (3-3, 0-3 SEC) led in the fourth quarter before losing. The Razorbacks also led by two touchdowns against No. 21 Texas A&M before falling in overtime two weeks ago.<br /> <br /> Despite the struggles, Bielema said Monday, he isn't worried that the late-game woes will snowball into a lost season like a year ago when Arkansas lost its final nine games of the season - though the search for an elusive SEC win doesn't get any easier this week against No. 10 Georgia (5-1, 3-1).<br /> <br /> "I think the negative effect comes from those that don't live in our program," Bielema said. "... I think that is a thing that from the outside world looking in maybe you get amazed at, but I am not concerned the least bit as a head coach."<br /> <br /> The Razorbacks led 13-7 against Alabama in the fourth quarter despite a season-low 13 yards rushing on six carries from sophomore running back Alex Collins.<br /> <br /> Collins, who entered the game second in the SEC in rushing yards per game, was held out of the first quarter because he missed a pair of early-morning workouts. Once the Florida native entered the game in the second quarter, he was clearly out of sync - losing a fumble on his second carry and never establishing himself as a threat.<br /> <br /> "The kid needs to learn to be on time," Bielema said, noting that Collins missed the second workout because he was studying for a test but forgot to tell his strength coaches that he'd be absent. "... Hopefully, this last one will put him over the top, because we're a better team when he's in there."<br /> <br /> Collins is still fourth in the SEC with an average of 105.7 yards rushing per game, but the Razorbacks will need him in top form - for the entire game - against the Bulldogs.<br /> <br /> "I can't do (anything) but blame myself and keep moving forward," Collins posted on his Instagram account Sunday. "On to Georgia."<br /> <br /> Even without Collins at his best, Arkansas nearly upended Alabama behind quarterback Brandon Allen. The junior had several key runs and finished with 246 yards passing - including a 54-yard touchdown pass to tight end A.J. Derby.<br /> <br /> The Razorbacks cost themselves several scoring opportunities in the loss, most notably fullback Kody Walker's fumble just inches before crossing the goal line on the game's opening drive. Also, a high snap kept Arkansas from attempting a 43-yard field goal in the first quarter, and kicker John Henson had an extra-point attempt blocked in the second quarter.<br /> <br /> The miscues, and ensuing disappointment, led to Bielema's emotional reaction following the loss - though he put his most positive spin on the continued difficult times on Monday.<br /> <br /> "I wish I could give them a win," Bielema said. "But on the same account, I'm glad I can't because if you give somebody something they haven't earned, it usually doesn't mean much in time. And we did a lot of really good things, but we did enough to take it away from us."