The Red Wolves come to Columbus for their first-ever matchup with the Buckeyes.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Breaking down Ohio State’s non-conference opponents: Arkansas State
The Red Wolves
A week after the Irish, the Arkansas Red Wolves will enter Ohio Stadium to face the Buckeyes. The two teams have never played each other; there’s no history to examine. While conferences have come and gone and changed member schools, Arkansas State has been in the Sun Belt since forever — and there have been some successful years.
In his one year in Jonesboro (2012), Gus Malzahn went 10-3, using the year as a handy steppingstone to Auburn. Coach Blake Anderson had some nice seasons in his seven-year tenure, but a 4-7 campaign in the COVID-tainted 2020 season cost him his job. His successor, Butch Jones, struggled last year, leading the Red Wolves to a sorry 2-10 record. In their lone high-profile game, they lost to Washington, 52-3.
If you look at last year’s stats, it’s easy to identify the problems. The Wolves gave up a lot of yards (over 500 a game) and a lot of points. Meanwhile, Arkansas State had a decent passing attack, but couldn’t supplement it with any sort of ground game. The bottom line is that they really couldn’t handle the top Sun Belt teams – Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina and Louisiana-Lafayette.
There’s an old joke where a coach is asked about this year’s prospects, and he answers, “we had nothing last year, and they’re all back.” Not really the case with Arkansas State in 2022: they had nothing last year, and a lot of them are gone.
At quarterback last year, James Blackman vied with Layne Hatcher for the starting role. Hatcher is gone, but Blackman returns to lead the Red Wolves in 2022. He completed almost 60% of his passes last year (109-of-183) and had eight touchdown passes to four interceptions. Corey Rucker, last year’s top receiver, has moved on, but the second and third leading receivers from last season will be on hand to face the Buckeyes. Te’Vailance Hunt pulled in 52 passes in 2021, and Jeff Foreman was right behind him with 31. So, the passing attack will return some veterans and looks to be the strength of the offense.
Let’s face it. Butch Jones’s team had trouble rushing last year. In fact, they averaged only 83 rushing yards per game. Granted, there were frequent sacks and negative plays to affect the net total – but, really, 83 yards a game? Lincoln Pare, last season’s top runner, is gone. And it’s likely that Johnnie Lang will start at running back. He ran for 263 yards on his 65 carries last year (4.0-yard average). Clearly, the Wolves will have their hands full against the Buckeye defensive line.
None of last season’s top tacklers are still on the roster for 2022. It’s really hard to predict what the defense will look like. Given how bad they were a year ago and how potent the Ohio State offense will be, it probably doesn’t matter. They’ll take a beating.
The good news is that the Red Wolves’ 2020 recruiting class was rated tops in the Sun Belt by Rivals, and 247Sports gave it a composite ranking of 67th nationally. Not bad. The class is loaded with three-star recruits (no fours or fives), and I imagine that a lot of them will see plenty of snaps.
Both the College Football News and ESPN forecast that Arkansas State will finish ninth (of 14) in the Sun Belt this year. A 6-6 record seems the most likely finish. A sharp improvement from last year and good enough for a bowl bid – if they can do it. After hosting Grambling in their initial game, the Wolves face a nearly impossible task, however, against the Bucks.
Prediction: Ohio State 62, Arkansas State 10
Entire article: https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2...ence-opponents-arkansas-state-red-wolves-2022
The Red Wolves
A week after the Irish, the Arkansas Red Wolves will enter Ohio Stadium to face the Buckeyes. The two teams have never played each other; there’s no history to examine. While conferences have come and gone and changed member schools, Arkansas State has been in the Sun Belt since forever — and there have been some successful years.
In his one year in Jonesboro (2012), Gus Malzahn went 10-3, using the year as a handy steppingstone to Auburn. Coach Blake Anderson had some nice seasons in his seven-year tenure, but a 4-7 campaign in the COVID-tainted 2020 season cost him his job. His successor, Butch Jones, struggled last year, leading the Red Wolves to a sorry 2-10 record. In their lone high-profile game, they lost to Washington, 52-3.
If you look at last year’s stats, it’s easy to identify the problems. The Wolves gave up a lot of yards (over 500 a game) and a lot of points. Meanwhile, Arkansas State had a decent passing attack, but couldn’t supplement it with any sort of ground game. The bottom line is that they really couldn’t handle the top Sun Belt teams – Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina and Louisiana-Lafayette.
There’s an old joke where a coach is asked about this year’s prospects, and he answers, “we had nothing last year, and they’re all back.” Not really the case with Arkansas State in 2022: they had nothing last year, and a lot of them are gone.
At quarterback last year, James Blackman vied with Layne Hatcher for the starting role. Hatcher is gone, but Blackman returns to lead the Red Wolves in 2022. He completed almost 60% of his passes last year (109-of-183) and had eight touchdown passes to four interceptions. Corey Rucker, last year’s top receiver, has moved on, but the second and third leading receivers from last season will be on hand to face the Buckeyes. Te’Vailance Hunt pulled in 52 passes in 2021, and Jeff Foreman was right behind him with 31. So, the passing attack will return some veterans and looks to be the strength of the offense.
Let’s face it. Butch Jones’s team had trouble rushing last year. In fact, they averaged only 83 rushing yards per game. Granted, there were frequent sacks and negative plays to affect the net total – but, really, 83 yards a game? Lincoln Pare, last season’s top runner, is gone. And it’s likely that Johnnie Lang will start at running back. He ran for 263 yards on his 65 carries last year (4.0-yard average). Clearly, the Wolves will have their hands full against the Buckeye defensive line.
None of last season’s top tacklers are still on the roster for 2022. It’s really hard to predict what the defense will look like. Given how bad they were a year ago and how potent the Ohio State offense will be, it probably doesn’t matter. They’ll take a beating.
The good news is that the Red Wolves’ 2020 recruiting class was rated tops in the Sun Belt by Rivals, and 247Sports gave it a composite ranking of 67th nationally. Not bad. The class is loaded with three-star recruits (no fours or fives), and I imagine that a lot of them will see plenty of snaps.
Both the College Football News and ESPN forecast that Arkansas State will finish ninth (of 14) in the Sun Belt this year. A 6-6 record seems the most likely finish. A sharp improvement from last year and good enough for a bowl bid – if they can do it. After hosting Grambling in their initial game, the Wolves face a nearly impossible task, however, against the Bucks.
Prediction: Ohio State 62, Arkansas State 10
Entire article: https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2...ence-opponents-arkansas-state-red-wolves-2022
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Jake
Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye
‘17 The Deuce Champ
Fantasy Baseball Champ
'18 The Deuce Champ
Arkansas State will be heading into town coming off a 58-3 blowout of Grambling.
I think the Buckeyes can pose a slightly greater threat than the Tigers, while Eddie Robinson rests in peace.
I think the Buckeyes can pose a slightly greater threat than the Tigers, while Eddie Robinson rests in peace.
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So, game 2 against a team that's here for little more than a paycheck. We play our other starting QB in this one, right? Then figure out who is better in week 3?
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Actually I am hoping we do that in the 3rd and 4th quarter because we're beating the crap out of them.
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LovelandBuckeye
You never lose to those pricks. Ever. Ever. - UFM
Shhh, don't let our conference rivals see our plan. This is brilliant!
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
JONES HELPED BAMA BEAT BUCKS IN 2020
COMING OFF WORST SEASON IN 21 YEARS
FORMER BUCKEYE AT RUNNING BACK
BLOWOUT WIN IN WEEK 1
FORMER FSU STARTER AT QUARTERBACK
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