Photo: Arkansas State Athletics
Noon starts have come to mean fans will endure a game that is expected to be a yawner. A contest between teams out of the running for any meaningful postseason glory or a less talented program collecting a paycheck from a Power Five powerhouse in exchange for an easy victory for the home team.
Georgia fans should be paying attention to the warnings issued by Coach Smart and his players as Saturday approaches. Arkansas State boasts a loaded offensive that will test the Bulldogs defense.
The Red Wolves have developed a winning culture. Arkansas State enjoyed winning seasons since 2011 and won 10 games in 2011 and 2012 when they were coached by Hugh Freeze and Gus Malzahn respectively.
The strength of the visitor’s team with be their quarterback and wide receivers. Although Logan Bonner is a first-year starter, he has shown the ability to run a wide-open offense that will utilize multiple talented receivers. Here is a clip for their 43-17 victory of UNLV in game two of this season:
A-State opened the 2019 season with SMU and fell 37-30 to the Mustangs:
Another factor that could serve as a motivator for the Red Wolves is the return to the sidelines of Blake Anderson. Anderson’s wife Wendy passed away in late August after a battle with breast cancer. Anderson took a leave of absence but will return to the sidelines for the game in Athens. Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer is encouraging UGA fans to wear pink to the game to honor Wendy Anderson.
My prediction is that the Dawgs will maintain focus and win the game. However, I do expect the game to be closer than many fans may anticipate. Arkansas State is going to score. Its skilled offense will consistently move the football. Las Vegas is giving the Wolves 33.5 points and predicting them to score 26 points, so don’t sleep on the visitors from Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Be ready Dawg Fans. This one will be interesting until Georgia’s depth allows the Bulldogs to pull away in the third and fourth quarters.
