Lets look a head!

[eoltmer]

Moving on to week 2 in the 09-10 schedule we have yet another cup cake match up with the Sun Belt Conference...but this time its Arkansas State! Let’s see what they have to offer:

 

Arkansas State (Red Wolf's) 6-6, (3-3)

 

National Stats:

#39 in Total Offense

#52 in Scoring Offense

#79 in Passing Offense

#18 in Rushing Offense

#46 in Total Defense

#53 in Scoring Defense

#63 in Pass Defense

#32 in Rush Defense

 

Sun Belt Conference Stats (per game):

#3 in Total Offense: 398.0

#3 in Scoring Offense: 27.0

#6 in Passing Offense: 195.5

#2 in Rushing Offense: 202.50

#2 in Total Defense: 336.5

#2 in Scoring Defense: 23.8

#2 in Pass Defense: 211.3

#1 in Rushing Defense: 125.17

 

Most embarrassing loss: 35-0 vs. Alabama (Utah>Bama>Arkansas State )

 

Most embarrassing win: 83-10 vs. Texas Southern (Seriously Texas Southern )

 

Most impressive win: 18-14 vs. Texas A&M (Beat a BCS conference team...although it’s tA&M )

 

Most heart breaking loss: 22-21 vs. Florida International (anytime you lose by 1 point your going to be salty )

 

Key Offensive returning player: I had to have two here both are sum what impressive;

QB Corey Leonard (Sr.)

2008 Passing Stats: 130.7 QB rating (#3 in Conf.), 2347 Passing yards (#4 in Conf.), 16 TD, 8 Int

Rushing Stats: 157 attempts, 516 yards (#11 for rushing in Conf. & he's a QB ), 3.3 yard avg, 4 TD

Corey's passing stats were not all that impressive but his dual threat ability can make for a long day, (i.e. Baylor's QB Griffin last year). Corey was named to the Sun Belt 2nd team all conf team.

RB Reggie Arnold (Sr.)

2008 Stats: 1074 yards (#3 in Conf.), 5.5 yard avg (#6 in Conf.), 7 TD (#6 in Conf.)

Reggie is only one of two returning 1k yard rushers in the conference next season. So it’s hard not to ignore his ability to help carry the team and being a senior he will be looked upon for leadership. Reggie earned 1st team all conf. honors.

 

Key Defensive returning player: DE Alex Carrington (Sr.)

2008 Stats: 36 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, 53 total tackles, 19 TFL, 10.5 sacks (one shy of a Conf. record), 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked punt, 1 Int, 2 pass breakups

This kid has a motor that doesn't quit at 6'5" 280lbs he has a good frame to really break away. Alex earned Sun Belt defensive player of the year & 1st team all conf. honors.

 

This team was one game away from playing for the conference championship. After the end of season loss to Troy the team was sitting 6-6 and was thus snubbed from bowl consideration. ASU's previous bowl appearance was in '05 New Orleans bowl with a loss to Southern Miss. Look for this team to be an almost mirror image of the '08 Baylor Bears. They have the dual threat to go along with a decent rushing attack.

 

This team has 18 seniors lost due to graduation and 5 of them being offensive linemen. But don't be fooled this team has plenty of depth to cover the loss. The skill players on this team will all be a healthy mix of senior's and juniors so look for a veteran team wanting to make an impact. Five different players under ASU Head Coach Steve Roberts have now been named the Sun Belt’s Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year or Newcomer of the Year.

 

ASU’s 2008 team had 11 All-Sun Belt Conference choices and is the most to any all-conference team since 1986 when it was a member of the Southland Conference. The Red Wolves have now seen at least nine players tabbed All-SBC each of the last four years and had the second most selections among the league’s eight teams this season.

 

Coach Roberts has been the head coach at Arkansas State University since 2002. Before coming to ASU, he had been the head coach at Southern Arkansas University (1994-1999) and Northwestern State University in Louisiana (2000-2001). He has an overall record of 78-76-1, in his 6 seasons at ASU (Sun Belt Conf.) he is 31-41 with one bowl trip. His two seasons at Northwestern State (Southland Conf.) he was 12-11, and at Southern Arkansas U. (Independent) he was 35-24-1.

 

So in week 1 we go from a middle of the pack Sun Belt team, to week 2 a possible leader of the pack Sun Belt team. I don't suspect a real struggle here; if NU is able to lock down the rush offense anything like last season this might be another run away. Yet another perfect opportunity for NU to test multiple QB's throughout the game, and earn some more experience for that RFr. class.

 

Please feel free to respond/talk, or just tell me to stop writing these things LOL.

[papersun87]

Weren't they a touchdown away from taking down Texas in Austin? Or was that last season?

[eoltmer]

Weren't they a touchdown away from taking down Texas in Austin? Or was that last season?

That was '07 the first game of the season lost 21-13

Texas didn't have this one wrapped up until Brandon Foster recovered an onside kick with less than a minute to play, and that came after the Indians (0-1) were forced to re-kick because of a penalty that negated an onsider they recovered.

That was the following week of the Mich vs App. State game. Oh so close to another upset that season.

[glm09]

this should not be close. They should not be able to move the ball on us at all.

 

I predict very few third down conversions for them and about as many points.

 

NE - 41

ASU - 0

[redout22]

I think this will be closer than the Florida Atlantic game but shouldn't be a probleem in the end.

[gobigredkent]

This will be the second shutout of the year for us. They'll keep it close in the first 5 minutes but we'll pull away with 21 second quarter points.

[WIHusker]

I think its crap they had to change their mascot from Indians to Red Wolves

[hskrpwr13]

Halfway through our quest for the Sun Belt conference title.

[REDSTEEL]

Halfway through our quest for the Sun Belt conference title.

 

Does that come with an automatic BCS bid?

[Enhance]

Don't forget we almost beat Texas in 2007, and we were piss poor that year. Texas is very inconsistent defensively. They've had Muschamp for a few years and have still been inconsistent, and our defense turned itself around and came in second, right behind them, in one year. We have the best defensive mind in the Big 12.

 

Arkansas State is going to get pasted, there is no question about it.

[skerinKansas]

Don't forget we almost beat Texas in 2007, and we were piss poor that year. Texas is very inconsistent defensively. They've had Muschamp for a few years and have still been inconsistent, and our defense turned itself around and came in second, right behind them, in one year. We have the best defensive mind in the Big 12.

 

Arkansas State is going to get pasted, there is no question about it.

In correct. Boom M'fer has been in austin 1 year, and they played hard every snap. UT Could very well start #1 next season.

[caveman99]

Don't forget we almost beat Texas in 2007, and we were piss poor that year. Texas is very inconsistent defensively. They've had Muschamp for a few years and have still been inconsistent, and our defense turned itself around and came in second, right behind them, in one year. We have the best defensive mind in the Big 12.

 

Arkansas State is going to get pasted, there is no question about it.

In correct. Boom M'fer has been in austin 1 year, and they played hard every snap. UT Could very well start #1 next season.

Last year was the first one for Muschamp at Texas and they turned into the best D in the Big XII. Do I think Bo is better, yes. Partly because of the NU D turn around from dead last to finishing 2nd in the Big XII, and pretty close to UT in many categories, with a lot less talent and in part because of my Rose Colored Glasses.

[eoltmer]

I think its crap they had to change their mascot from Indians to Red Wolves

Yep total crap but whatcha gonna do in a PC world.

 

Halfway through our quest for the Sun Belt conference title.

 

Does that come with an automatic BCS bid?

 

If the MWC has its way maybe...not this year though.

 

Don't forget we almost beat Texas in 2007, and we were piss poor that year. Texas is very inconsistent defensively. They've had Muschamp for a few years and have still been inconsistent, and our defense turned itself around and came in second, right behind them, in one year. We have the best defensive mind in the Big 12.

 

Arkansas State is going to get pasted, there is no question about it.

In correct. Boom M'fer has been in austin 1 year, and they played hard every snap. UT Could very well start #1 next season.

Last year was the first one for Muschamp at Texas and they turned into the best D in the Big XII. Do I think Bo is better, yes. Partly because of the NU D turn around from dead last to finishing 2nd in the Big XII, and pretty close to UT in many categories, with a lot less talent and in part because of my Rose Colored Glasses.

 

But also this will be the best defense the Sun Belt has to offer. So if we don't have a good consistancy on O after the FAU game, then this (could) be more fun that previously thought. I will be happy to see this game competative until the third quarter when NU just lights it up. Cause we all know that voters only look at the final scores.