College Football Predictions – Arkansas St Red Wolves 2020 College Football Preview
August 8, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 8-5
ATS – 6-7
The Red Wolves had their season go off the rails with a pair of conference losses in the middle of the season (at Georgia St, Louisiana) but they got on a roll and won five of their next six games, and that included a Camellia Bowl win over FIU. They had to deal with a lot of injuries and their fine head coach Blake Anderson endured the tragic death of his wife.
Do they have what it takes to challenge the SPICY Ragin’ Cajuns?
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
West Division – #2
Sun Belt – #3
Arkansas St Red Wolves 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
Yes, guy.
Things look pretty good for the Red Wolves as they return a PAIR of solid QBs that are both capable of putting up big numbers. Layne Hatcher was rock solid LY throwing for over 2,900 yards and 27 TDs as a freshman (!). Hatcher took over for starter Logan Bonner who was lost for the year due to injury (10-1 TD to INT). The THROW GAME will take a hit with the departure of superstar WR Omar Bayless to the NFL (Panthers) and recall that he bagged a whopping 1,653 receiving yards and 17 TDs a season ago. They’ll also miss WR Kirk Merritt (12 TDs) but at least #2 wideout Jonathan Adams is back in the mix (851,13.7, 5 TD). Texas A&M transfer Roshauud Paul could be a SURPRISE PACKAGE. The run game should be fine with #1 RB Marcel Murray returning for battle (820, 4.8, 6 TD) and he’ll be glad to know that all five (!) starters return up front including their excellent center Jacob Still.
They have one of the most experienced offensive lines in college football and a pair of legit #1 QBs. We look for top-3 Sun Belt finish in total offense (#5 LY).
DEFENSE
The Red Wolves suffered a yuuuuuge decline in defensive production last season, as not only did they allow more than 30 PPG (34.2, #7 Sun Belt) for the first time since 2015, but they ended the year ranked #118 in the FBS in rushing defense and #111 in passing defense. There were an insane amount of injuries to deal with but it was still a pretty dreary performance. It’s hard to know what to expect this season with only three returning starters, and it was a yuuuuge blow when DE William Bradley-King decided to transfer to Baylor (8.5 sacks, #1 on the team).
The stop unit appears to be a big unknown and we wonder how they’ll be able to cobble together a decent pass rush given the departure of Bradley-King. It figures to be a long year on defense.
<Update August 30: They added LB Justin Rice, one of the best defensive players in the Mountain West. Rice transferred due to the scamdemic that shut down the season in that conference. Availability is TBD.>
SPECIAL TEAMS
There’s good news at PK where Blake Grupe returns after nailing 19/22 FG attempts (6-9 from 40+) but they’ll definitely miss ace punter Cody Grace. The Red Wolves were a disaster on returns LY and it’s unclear who will handle the duties in 2020.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – WHOA NELLIE. Check out that road schedule, yo. Even with the canceled road date at the Big House in Ann Arbor, they have to HIT THE HIGHWAY to take on Memphis, Appalachian St, and Louisiana. Things lighten up at the end of the campaign as they finish with ULM, at Texas St, and South Alabama.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – October 31st (Troy)
They’ll be coming off a tough road date with Appalachian St and have the yuuuuuge game with Louisiana on deck that is most likely for all the West division MARBLES.
Season Win Total
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
MEGALOCKS says:
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Arkansas St has rattled off an impressive 9 (!) consecutive winning seasons.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Get the calculators out. The Red Wolves are going to be able to SCORE THE FOOTBALL but will they be able to stop anyone on defense? If they can stay in the hunt until the big game with Cajuns, anything is possible. A winning record seems highly likely but we don’t think they’re good enough on defense and special teams to win the division.
Want more Arkansas St football ?
WEBSITE
https://astateredwolves.com/sports/football
FORUM
https://247sports.com/college/arkansas-state/Board/The-Den-105452/
https://247sports.com/college/arkansas-state/Board/The-Densider-105446/
https://arkansasstate.forums.rivals.com/forums/red-wolf-insider.6/
NEWS
https://www.kait8.com/sports/ncaa/a-state/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2032/arkansas-state-red-wolves
TWITTER
Hashtags – #WolvesUp
Accounts to follow