The Arkansas State Red Wolves and South Alabama Jaguars do battle Saturday in week 9 college football action from Centennial Bank Stadium. South Alabama is fresh off a matchup versus Troy. In that one, the Jaguars fell in a low-scoring outcome. As for Arkansas State, they played Louisiana in their last outing. The Red Wolves lost that game by 20 points. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
South Alabama won their first two games over Nicholls State and Central Michigan before a tough 32-31 loss to UCLA in game three. The Jaguars bounced back from that defeat with wins over Louisiana Tech, Louisiana and LA-Monroe in their next three outings.
In the Troy game back on Thursday, the Jaguars had a pretty good defensive showing but couldn’t compliment it on the other side in a 10-6 loss. QB Carter Bradley managed 215 yards and a pick, while Omni Wells rushed four times for 21 yards.
Over on the Arkansas State side, they lost three of their first four games to Ohio State, Memphis and Old Dominion (with a win over Grambling State). After a win over LA-Monroe, the Red Wolves fell in consecutive games to James Madison and Southern Miss.
In the Louisiana game last weekend, the Red Wolves were down 38-12 by the end of the third quarter and limped to a 38-18 loss. QB AJ Mayer finished with 155 yards, one TD and one pick. Ja’Quez Cross rushed six times for 33 yards as well.
PICK: I’ll probably try South Alabama here. The Jaguars defense showed up in the Troy game, holding the Trojans to 266 total yards, 16 first downs and a 1-of-12 rate on third-down tries. The offense was another story, however: 246 total yards (31 rushing), 15 first downs and 26:36 in time of possession. The good news is that the Jaguars should have an easier matchup here.
As for Arkansas State, they’re coming off an ugly showing with 271 total yards, 13 first downs and 0-of-11 on third-down tries. I like a better outcome here but South Alabama still seems like a more logical cover.