Bielema remains confident at Arkansas despite a series of gut-wrenching losses

Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen, left, and Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema confer prior to their teams meeting in an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (The Associated Press)

Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen (10) is sacked by Mississippi State defensive lineman Chris Jones, left, in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. No. 1 Mississippi State won 17-10. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (The Associated Press)

Even Bret Bielema is impressed Arkansas' players haven't given up on the season despite a series of emotionally trying losses.

Now the second-year Razorbacks coach would like to finally turn that frustration into his first Southeastern Conference win.

Arkansas (4-5, 0-5 SEC) lost its 17th straight conference game last week, a 17-10 defeat at No. 1 Mississippi State. It was the fourth time the Razorbacks have either led or been tied in the second half of an eventual defeat this season, and it sent Bielema to 0-13 in the SEC.

Arkansas must now win two of its final three games if it wants to earn its first bowl berth since 2011, a difficult prospect with remaining home games against LSU and Mississippi before a season-ending game at Missouri.