FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino has been clear about his expectations for the Razorbacks.

Improving on last year's 5-7 record is important for the program's growth. He is stressing progress on the field and in Southeastern Conference play. So it's no surprise Petrino and the Razorbacks (4-4, 1-4 SEC) have been using phrases like "must-win" and "big game" to describe Arkansas' clash with South Carolina in Reynolds Razorback Stadium today.

"It's something we've been building for," Petrino said Monday afternoon. "This is a big game for our program. ...

"Hopefully we can take some steps forward."

Arkansas, which snapped its two-game losing skid against Eastern Michigan last week, is looking to continue its climb to bowl eligibility against the Gamecocks. The Razorbacks -- who have suffered plenty of up-and-down moments in 2009 -- enter the final month of the season with four chances to grab two wins. They believe the first must come today.

"We need a win," quarterback Ryan Mallett said. "We need to win this one. And we need to win the next one, and the next one and the next one. But it starts with this one.

"We need to go in there and play the best game we've played all season, just to keep it going to get rolling and finish the season strong and go to a good bowl game."

Petrino has expressed publicly the Razorbacks need to go bowling this season. The extra practices are vital for a program still leaning on young players. The postseason trip a nice reward to veterans who have played important roles, too.

But the Razorbacks also view the South Carolina game as a chance to prove they can win SEC games. Arkansas, despite its obvious growth, is just 3-10 in SEC play under Petrino.

So Arkansas cornerback Ramon Broadway said a win today could go a long way toward wiping away many of those frustrations, which included the 30-17 loss at Ole Miss two weeks ago.

"It don't matter what you've done since August, September," Broadway said Wednesday. "It don't matter. Everybody remembers in November. We come out and win these last four games, they're not going to remember those games we lost."

Beating South Carolina would be noteworthy accomplishment.

The Gamecocks (6-3, 3-3) were ranked in the top 25 until tumbling out of the polls after their loss to Tennessee last week. It was a performance that has created some concern in Columbia, S.C., because the Gamecocks have typically struggled down the stretch. But South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier balked at the "here we go again" attitude, saying the Gamecocks don't feel bad about being 6-3.

"We're not going to have a losing regular season, that's for sure," Spurrier said. "There's a lot of teams out there that still can have one. We'd love to get that seventh win, love to get it this week if we possibly can and go from there."

It's certainly a position the Razorbacks would like to be in right now. But it's one they're hoping to get to soon, with the help of a win against South Carolina today.

"I certainly know that our players understand what's at stake and understand this is a big game for our program," Petrino said. "We've done a real nice job of preparing in meetings. We've practiced hard. We've practiced with good effort. I've been impressed with the leadership from within the team and the way our players have approached the week.

"I feel like we'll get up early and be ready for the game."

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