Welcome to Four Down Territory which is a post I will make weekly with a few thoughts I have about things that are going on.
So, I’ll give you three thoughts on Arkansas State football or college football in general. Then, the last thought will be whatever I want it to be.
1: THE OFFENSE HAS TO STEP UP THIS YEAR
We can sit here and debate back on forth on what all has to happen for Arkansas State to have success again, but the fact of the matter is that the offensive side of the football is going to have to step things up and increase production and scoring this year. There have been improvements on both sides of the football, but at the end of the day you have to put points on the board.
One thing the offense has struggled with last year was moving the chains on a consistent basis. The lack of a gamebreaking passing game played into that in a major way, but with Corey Rucker returning to help out the wide receiver room I think we are going to see the passing game elevate this year.
In a recent conversation I had with Butch Jones I told him that this offense can absolutely cause problems for opposing defenses if you have Rucker and Jeff Foreman on the field at the same time. That is an absolute coverage nightmare for defenses. Even if they go all in on those two that is going to leave others guys either in one on one situations or wide open to make plays.
Of course you have to have protection from the offensive line and a QB that can make the right reads during his progressions. Not only that, this offense has to get more production out of the running game. A better passing game can help open up better running lanes, so hopefully we will see everything come together for this offense.
2: THE DEFENSE NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO GROW
I have actually been impressed with the job that Defensive Coordinator Rob Harley has been able to do with the defense despite a major lack of talent that he inherited when he first got here. There are some challenges this year, especially with the entire defensive line having to be replaced, but there will be help with experienced linebackers and a serviceable secondary returning.
The defensive line is going to have to grow up quickly this year, and I think that the defensive ends are going to have to be a major part of the game plan this year. If they can crash down and put pressure on the QB and offensive backfield it will go a long ways to help this defense this year.
As I said, I think the Red Wolves will be in good shape at LB. Melique Straker and Jaden Harris will lead this group, and I'm expecting a lot out of Kansas transfer Gavin Potter as well.
The secondary has a couple of dudes in it with Trevian Thomas and Eddie Smith returning. They combines for over 130 tackles last year, and the Red Wolves will need their production again this year.
At the end of the day, the defensive side of the football has to be solid. You can do a lot to help yourself in regards to a win-loss record if the defense is solid enough to force turnovers and keep the opposing offense out of the end zone.
3: EVERYONE NEEDS TO GEL QUICKLY
One of the major issues plaguing college football right now is a combination of the transfer portal and the NIL. It is hard to keep teams together now due to these two things, especially at the Group of Five level where any player that stands out will be targeted by other schools. When those other schools are Power Five schools with a ton of backing it makes it hard to keep guys on campus.
Then you also have the built in turnover with graduation or careers ending due to injury that you have to endure.
All of those things lead to having to bring in new players - be it transfer players or recruited high school players - that you have to get on the same page with one another and the coaching staff.
One big thing that I've heard from NUMEROUS sources I have is that one thing that has held things up the past two years is a group of guys that just refused to buy in. That is a major issue, and it is one that I hope has been rectified in order to help this program grow.
It all boils down to this, the sooner this team comes together and plays together as one unit, for one another, the better things will be for Arkansas State football.
4: SUN BELT PRESEASON AWARDS AND RANKINGS HAVE BEEN RELEASED
Arkansas State has one player that received preseason awards from coaches in the Sun Belt Conference, and that is kicker Dominic Zvada. He was named
Preseason First Team All-Sun Belt by conference coaches.
Additionally, Arkansas State has been picked to finish sixth in the SBC West by conference coaches:
2023 SUN BELT CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
East Division
1. James Madison – 78 Points (4)
2. App State – 75 Points (4)
3. Coastal Carolina – 71 Points (3)
4. Marshall – 68 Points (2)
5. Georgia Southern – 52 Points (1)
6. Georgia State – 31 Points
7. Old Dominion – 17 Points
West Division
1. Troy – 92 Points (10)
2. South Alabama – 85 Points (4)
3. Louisiana – 64 Points
4. Southern Miss – 62 Points
5. Texas State – 36 Points
6. Arkansas State – 33 Points
7. ULM – 20 Points
arkansasstate.rivals.com
