This week and next, we're looking at some of the top nonconference opponents to appear on the schedules of Big 12 teams this fall. The idea, as the days dwindle before the start of preseason camp, is to provide an overview of the top challenges in front of league teams in the early weeks of this season.

Up next is Arkansas.

Opponent: Arkansas Razorbacks (at TCU, Sept. 10)

Names to know: QB Austin Allen; RB Kody Walker; RB Rawleigh Williams; WR Drew Morgan; OL Frank Ragnow; DT Jeremiah Ledbetter; LB Dre Greenlaw; LB Brooks Ellis; DE Deatrich Wise Jr.

Offseason storyline: Arkansas loses a pair of playmakers in quarterback Brandon Allen and running back Alex Collins, who combined to account for 5,120 of Arkansas’ 6,047 total yards on offense. The Razorbacks will need to find a way to replace those two stars if they hope to improve on an 8-5 record in 2015.

The good news for the Razorbacks is Allen's replacement is set to be his little brother, Austin Allen, who mentored under his older brother for the past two seasons.

"He was raised in the same home, same set of parents, everything the same," Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said. "They are different cats. They have different personalities, different temperament. He's got a little bit different demeanor. He's a very aggressive person by nature. I think we'll have to calm him down rather than juice him up."

Collins is a tough loss at the running back position, but Walker, Williams, Devwah Whaley and T.J. Hammond are among the ball carriers hoping to replace him.

What’s at stake for TCU? When conversations about the Big 12’s struggles in nonconference play rise to the forefront, nobody can point the finger at TCU. Gary Patterson’s program is 13-2 in nonconference play -- including wins against Virginia, Minnesota, Ole Miss and Oregon -- since joining the Big 12 in 2012. Thus, TCU simply wants to continue to represent itself (and the Big 12) extremely well in key nonconference matchups.

A home win against the Razorbacks would also kick-start TCU’s season, with Iowa State visiting to open conference play the following weekend. A victory would send an early message to the rest of the Big 12 and set the Horned Frogs up a potential run at College Football Playoff spot.

What’s at stake for Arkansas? A road win at TCU in its second game of the season would be a pretty strong statement, especially considering the offensive talent the Razorbacks must replace. It would also prevent back-to-back nonconference September losses to Big 12 opponents after falling to Texas Tech last September.

Arkansas faces Texas State, Texas A&M and Alcorn State in its following three games, so the Razorbacks should have the chance to recover from a loss, but a victory really could set the tone for the season.