2013 Arkansas State
College Football
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Schedule and Odds
The Red Wolves have controlled the Sun Belt the last two seasons en route to two straight bowl appearances. To make it three, they will have to get over a few humps along the way. Their Four-year starter at quarterback is gone in Ryan Aplin which will be their hardest obstacle to climb for a team that averaged 35 points per Game a season ago.
While Aplin is just one player, he led this offense to 24 TDs and just Four INTs as a two-time offensive player of the year in the Sun Belt. Incoming transfer Adam Kennedy from Utah State looks like the hot option to replace Aplin, but nothing will be set in stone before the fall begins. The good news is that whoever is at QB will have plenty of options surrounding him. Running back David Oku is back after going for 1,061 yards and 16 touchdowns. The receivers also look rather nice led by J.D. McKissic (103 receptions) and Allen Muse, who is back after taking a year off due to personal reasons. The offensive line looks just as good with Four starters returning.
The questions are a little bigger on the defensive end for Arkansas State with only five starters returning. No matter, they still have a couple all-Conference studs returning that should help. Tackle Ryan Carrethers is one of the best in the middle of the line and linebacker Qushaun Lee was the MVP in last year’s bowl win over Kent State. And even though only five full-time starters are back, plenty of the players stepping in have experience. The defense won’t be amazing, but they will get the job done.
2013 Arkansas State College Football Schedule
Aug. 31 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Sept. 7 at Auburn
Sept. 12 vs. Troy
Sept. 21 at Memphis
Sept. 28 at Missouri
Oct. 12 vs. Idaho
Oct. 22 vs. LA-LAfayette
Nov. 2 at South Alabama
Nov. 9 at LA-Monroe
Nov. 16 vs. Texas State
Nov. 23 vs. Georgia State
Nov. 30 at Western Kentucky
Arkansas State will have an easier all-around Schedule which should help them as they get their QB struggles under control. Instead of playing Oregon and Nebraska on the road, they get Auburn and Missouri, quite a step down.
The only problem is that the Red Wolves have to play two of their top three opponents on the road in Conference play. After getting LA-LAfayette at home at the end of October, they will have to go to LA-Monroe and Western Kentucky later in the season. ASU’s lone Conference loss last year came at home against the Hilltoppers. It’s going to be tough for them to win a third Conference title with those two road Games and a new QB.
Aplin was the main factor in their biggest wins last year and this year it will have to be someone else. SCoring 40-plus points against their main competition will be tough. Nevertheless, the Red Wolves should be able to get at least to the seven-win mark this year.