The Arkansas State Red Wolves and South Alabama Jaguars share the #4 spot in the Sun Belt Conference. Finishing the season above Louisiana Lafayette is a tough order for either school, but finishing in the top four is attainable for one of these. Those teams that finish in the top half of the conference will find themselves in a Bowl game in December.
Like Cats and Dogs…
The Jaguars from South Alabama host the Red Wolves from Jonesboro, Arkansas on Saturday afternoon. South Alabama is coming off a tough loss at the hands of Texas State.
They are eager to finish strong as well, looking for post season play. Texas State outplayed the Jaguars for 3 quarters and finished in a shoot out to win by 2. Those two points moved South Alabama from a 2-1 conference record to the 1-2 they are saddled with now.
QB Ross Metheny threw for one of his best games last week passing for 300 yards. He completed 27 passes in 43 attempts. Ross ran for an additional 40 yards in his attempt to beat the Bobcats. Southern Alabama is averaging 31.3 points per game and only allowing an average of 29.1 per game. Close games all season, especially the losses, have kept the Jaguars competitive since week 1.Two losses came by one point, another by two points and their biggest defeat was by 7 points. The defense is doing the work and letting Metheny keep them in the game.
Big Wins, Big Losses
Arkansas State has the same record, 3-4, however two of those losses came at the hands of Missouri and Auburn. The other loss was against Memphis. Their wins have been a bit bigger in conference match ups. The Red Wolves pummeled Arkansas Pine Bluff as well as Idaho, 29 points and 24 point margins respectively. Like Southern Alabama their average points per game and points allowed per game are only 1.3 points different, but in the case of the boys from Jonesboro they are giving up more than they are scoring on average.
The Red Wolves are led by the capable and tested QB Adam Kennedy. He is hitting over 2/3 of all his passes. He has given up only 4 interceptions and has connected 7 times with receivers for touchdowns. Kennedy is also the teams 4th most effective rusher. Moving on his feet for almost 200 yards and had a touchdown on his ledger. Arkansas’ closest game this season came against Troy University (Ala) with a hard fought 7 point win in week 3. Saturday’s game maybe the best match up for the Red Wolves this season.
#RLBowl Watch
If you are on Twitter follow us @RLCarriers and look for the hashtag #RLBowl for news form around Conference USA and the Sun Belt Conference. We have our eyes on Sun Belt leader Louisiana Lafayette as they take on Independent New Mexico State. In Conference USA play this weekend we are watching to see how Marshall bounces back after a close loss to Middle Tennessee. They are welcoming Southern Miss to Huntington Saturday morning.
Vote
Be sure to tell us who you think has the advantage this weekend. Will the Jaguars defend their field in South Alabama against the attacking Red Wolves of Arkansas State?
