2011 Arkansas State Football Predictions

Written by Steve Janus

In 2010 the Arkansas State Red Wolves finished with an overall record of 4-8, but were actually a much better team than their final record would indicate. Six of the Red Wolves eight losses came by 10-points or less. All four wins in 2010 came inside conference play, as Arkansas State finished 4-4 in the Sun Belt. Each of those four losses were decided by seven-points or less. Despite how close this team was to really putting together a great season, the Red Wolves decided it was time for a coaching change, as offensive coordinator Hugh Freeze will take over for Steve Roberts as head coach this season. Freeze will have 13 starters back from last season, and will look to lead Arkansas State to their first seven win season since moving up to 1A in 1992. Here is a look at who the Red Wolves will send to the field on both sides of the ball, plus my prediction on where they will finish in the Sun Belt Conference.

Offense:

The Red Wolves passing attack really took off under Freeze in 2010, and the expectations are sky high for the 2011 season. In 12 starts, Ryan Aplin completed 61.5% of his passes for 2,939 yards and 21 touchdowns, and ended up breaking numerous school records. Heading into his junior season, Aplin figures to be the front-runner for the starting job, but Freeze has made it clear that sophomore Phillip Butterfield will compete for the starting job.

Not only did Aplin help the Red Wolves average 255 yards per game in the air, but he was also a factor in the running game. Aplin finished second on the team with 477 yards and easily led the way with 11 rushing touchdowns. Derek Lawson finished with a team best 500 yards to go along with 5 touchdowns, and is expected to really take off in his senior season. Arkansas State also returns Jermaine Robertson and Sirgregory Thornton, but both could lose carries to freshmen Frankie Jackson and Artez Brown.

What really makes the Red Wolves dangerous on this side of the ball, is the fact that they return their three top receivers from 2010 and will add in junior college transfer Josh Jarboe, who originally signed with Oklahoma. Dwayne Frampton led the way with 69 catches for 738 yards and six touchdowns, while Allen Muse added 42 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns and Taylor Stockemer hauled in 34 passes for 560 yards and five scores.

While the Red Wolves return one of the top centers in the Sun Belt in senior Tom Castilaw, he is the only starter back on the offensive line. This unit is a major concern heading into the 2011 season. There is no question that Arkansas State has the skill players to send out one of the top offenses in the conference, but if this unit struggles they won’t come close to reaching their full potential.

Defense:

While the offense took off in 2010, the defense took a step back. Arkansas State went from allowing 23.3 points and 341 yards a game in 2009, to giving up 30.8 points and 436 yards per game in 2010. While the Red Wolves bring back seven starters, they will have to learn the new schemes of defensive coordinator Dave Wommack.

Up front the Red Wolves have the potential to have one of the top defensive lines in the Sun Belt. They bring back senior defensive ends Dorvus Woods and Brandon Joiner, and will start a couple of very talented sophomore defensive tackles in Amos Draper and Derek Johnson. This unit has to improve on the 206 yards a game the Red Wolves allowed on the ground in 2010.

At linebacker, Arkansas State returns one of the top outside backs in the conference in senior Demario Davis and also brings back starting middle linebacker Nathan Herrold. They do have to replace Javon McKinnon, who led the team with 95 tackles, but believe junior Tausean Holmes is ready to step in and get the job done. As a whole this unit should really improve in 2011.

In the secondary the Red Wolves return two of the top defensive backs in the Sun Belt in senior corner Darron Edwards and senior strong safety Kelcie McCray, but will have to find replacements for the other two starting spots. There is plenty of room for improvement from last year, as the Red Wolves allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for 230 yards per game.

2011 Prediction: 4th Sun Belt – Normally I don’t expect much out of a team who will be in the first season under a new head coach, but with Freeze apart of the coaching staff in 2010 it should an easy transition. While there are concerns with the offensive line, there is simply too much talent on that side of the ball for the Red Wolves to not put up enough points to win games. It is going to come down to whether or not the defense can improve enough to make that happen. With home games against both FIU and Troy, the Red Wolves have a chance to surprise everyone and win the Sun Belt this season.

Sun Belt Football Predictions by Team
Troy Football Predictions	Florida International Football Predictions
Arkansas State Football Predictions	Louisiana Monroe Football Predictions
Middle Tennessee State Football Predictions	North Texas Football Predictions
Western Kentucky Football Predictions	Louisiana Lafayette Football Predictions
Florida Atlantic Football Predictions

College Football Predictions
ACC Football Predictions	Big 12 Football Predictions
Conference USA Football Predictions	Independents Football Predictions
PAC 12 Football Predictions	SEC Football Predictions
Big East Football Predictions	Big Ten Football Predictions
MAC Football Predictions	Mountain West Football Predictions
Sun Belt Football Predictions	WAC Football Predictions

Comments

Got something to say?