The Arkansas State Red Wolves need to shore up a defense that is allowing 42.38 points per game before their contest on Saturday. Arkansas State and the Appalachian State Mountaineers will face off in a Sun Belt battle at 2 p.m. ET at Centennial Bank Stadium. Appalachian State will be strutting in after a win while the Red Wolves will be stumbling in from a loss.
The matchup between Arkansas State and the South Alabama Jaguars last week was not particularly close, with Arkansas State falling 31-13. QB Layne Hatcher had a memorable game, but not in the way you want to be remembered: besides failing to produce a single touchdown, he threw three interceptions with only 186 yards passing.
Meanwhile, the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks typically have all the answers at home, but last week Appalachian State proved too difficult a challenge. The Mountaineers made easy work of the Warhawks and carried off a 59-28 victory. The game was pretty much decided by the half, when the score had already reached 49-7. Appalachian State QB Chase Brice was slinging it as he passed for four TDs and 256 yards on 30 attempts.
Appalachian State's defense was a force to be reckoned with, as it collected three interceptions and two fumbles. Those interceptions were spread across their defensive unit.
The Red Wolves are the clear underdogs, so they're hoping it's the size of the fight that determines this one. Those playing the odds have seen things go back and forth with Arkansas State, who are 3-4 against the spread.
Arkansas State's defeat took them down to 1-7 while Appalachian State's win pulled them up to 6-2. Giving up four turnovers, Arkansas State had had trouble holding onto the ball. We'll see if the Mountaineers can exploit that vulnerability.