The Old Dominion Monarchs (1-2) are hosting the Arkansas State Red Wolves (1-2) on Saturday in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams. This will be the first time these programs have ever met. The Monarchs are favored by five points at home with a total of 56.5.
In 2021 Arkansas State went 2-10 and according to Phil Steele magazine, came in ranked 117th in returning production. However, having alot of turnover isn't necessarily terrible when you are coming off a season like that. According to the preseason coaches poll, the Red Wolves were predicted to finish sixth out of seven teams in the conference's West Division. Arkansas State opened the year with a 58-3 win over Grambling, followed by road losses to No. 3 Ohio State 45-12 and 44-32 to Memphis.
FINAL.#WolvesUp x #ADifferentBreed pic.twitter.com/KIkh7TCvox
— Arkansas State Football (@AStateFB) September 18, 2022
Arkansas State is 70th in the nation averaging 162.3 yards per game, and 72nd with 243.7 passing yards per contest. The Red Wolves have used two quarterbacks due to having two colossal blowout games, but the top signal-caller is James Blackman, who has completed 68.2% of his passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Blackman is in his second season at Arkansas State after playing four years at Florida State.
On defense, the Red Wolves are 64th allowing 135 rushing yards, and 99th allowing 260.7 passing yards