Razorback football ranked 18th in AP preseason poll

The University of Arkansas will enter the 2015 football season ranked No. 18, according to the Associated Press who released its annual preseason poll on Sunday (Aug. 23).
 
It is the first time Arkansas has been ranked in the AP poll under head coach Bret Bielema, and first time the Razorbacks have been ranked since Sept. 4, 2012, according to the UA Athletic Department. This is the 26th appearance for Arkansas in the preseason AP poll. The Razorbacks have been ranked in the AP poll on 410 occasions in school history.

Of the 25 ranked teams, eight of them come from the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas is scheduled to play six teams ranked in the preseason poll.

Arkansas is bringing back key seniors and players for the 2015 season. The Razorbacks are led by Brandon Allen, the most experienced quarterback in the SEC, and Alex Collins, a 1,000-yard rusher in each of the past two seasons. Overall, Arkansas returns 16 starters and 49 lettermen, its most returning lettermen since 2010.

The team recently had six players named to All-SEC teams.  Running back Jonathan Williams, tight end Hunter Henry and offensive linemen Dan Skipper and Denver Kirkland were named to the All-SEC second team while running back Alex Collins and offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola collected All-SEC third team honors.
 
The Razorbacks kick off their season on Sept. 5 at 2:30 p.m. when they host University of Texas at El Paso. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU.