Arkansas State Red Wolves

Trey Owens won the four-man quarterback competition but threw four interceptions in his first start at Memphis. He has since settled down, completing 24 of 31 passes for 244 yards against Kennesaw State and then exploding for 418 yards and four touchdowns on 32-of-43 passing in the 56-49 loss to South Alabama. Owens has also shown mobility, scoring on a 34-yard keeper against TCU and a 1-yard plunge versus South Alabama. His development is the biggest reason Arkansas State's offense has found balance, and his continued growth is critical for the Red Wolves to make a run at a fourth straight bowl game.

Arkansas State is breaking in six transfer tackles and five transfer ends, with Ryan Reese the only returning regular contributor inside. The results have been ugly: Memphis rushed for 335 yards and averaged 9.6 yards per carry in the opener, and South Alabama piled up 296 yards on 50 carries. Opponents have consistently controlled the line of scrimmage and kept Owens off the field. Until the front seven can hold up on early downs, the Red Wolves will struggle to get stops against competent running teams, putting immense pressure on the offense to score every possession.

Despite the front-seven issues, Arkansas State's defense has shown a knack for creating short fields and scoring. The Red Wolves intercepted Memphis twice, forced three turnovers against West Georgia (including a 68-yard fumble return and a 91-yard interception return for touchdowns), and have continued to generate takeaways. Five Hamilton and AG McGhee lead a secondary that can turn mistakes into points. This big-play ability is the equalizer that keeps Arkansas State competitive even when the defense is giving up yards, and it will be key to swinging close games down the stretch.

Clune Van Andel has been reliable, making 21 of 27 field goals last season and already hitting three field goals (29, 40, 44 yards) in the win at Southern Miss. Chauncy Cobb is a first-team All-Sun Belt return specialist who averaged 26.9 yards per kick return and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2025. Jaylen Bonelli adds punt-return ability after breaking a 35-yarder in the Xbox Bowl. In a season where margins are thin, these specialists give Arkansas State an edge in field position and a way to steal points.

Arkansas State is 0-2 on the road this season, losing at Memphis and at Louisiana, and its only wins came at home against an FCS opponent (West Georgia) and a one-score escape against Kennesaw State. The Red Wolves have already logged 1,221 travel miles and played a short-week Thursday night game against South Alabama that turned into the highest-scoring FBS game of the season. While they get a full week to prepare for Georgia State, the cumulative toll and lack of road success raise questions about their ability to win away from Jonesboro. Improving in these situations is essential for a late-season push.