When Texas State was playing Sweet 16 Debutant with other conferences, I admit to some mixed feelings of dismay. After all, I’ve spent years seeding “Bobcats vs Red Wolves” as a premier Sun Belt rivalry, doing everything from passive-aggressively accusing Texas State of owning an “FCS Mentality” to calling them “Boobcats” at every opportunity. I don’t do this out of genuine rancor – I do this out of need of a rival. Without an in-state conference feud to boil my passions, I needed somebody to serve as target to my outrage. Bobcats, also without an in-state conference rival, seemed a qualified candidate.

And in recent years, the Bobcats have not failed to infuriate. Upon winning six of the first seven meetings, Red Wolves watched in horror as Texas State took the next three contests – each by three or fewer points! Arkansas State finally repaid this egregious disrespect by pounding the Bobcats in Jonesboro last year 77-31, putting an unsightly bruise on what was otherwise a magic season for first year head coach GJ Kinne.

“They got after us last year. It was tough to rewatch that game and relive it.” said Coach Kinne during Monday’s SBC presser. The Red Wolves poured in seven rushing touchdowns that game, and the defense force four turnovers. “Last year, we turned the ball over way too much,” recalled Kinne. “We can’t win a ball game that way.”

Texas State won’t likely turn the ball over four times when the two teams meet in San Marcos on Saturday, and it’s improbable that the Red Wolves will score another seven touchdowns on the ground. But both teams are coming off solid in-conference wins, both teams bear identical 3-2 records, and both understand that any divisional loss could have devastating consequences for reaching a conference championship game.

Marshal your rage, Bobcats and Red Wolves fans. Saturday is hate’n day.

The Redemption of Clune Van Andel

On Arkansas State’s opening possession against Michigan, the Red Wolves marched down the field only to be stopped in (or, at least near) the red zone (a familiar outcome this season). Out jogged kicker Clune Van Andel, who just two weeks previously was named the Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week. Van Clune set up for the 42-yard field goal – and doinked it off the upright. He would doink his second attempt, too. Van Andel had also missed a 44 yard attempt in Week 2 against Tulsa. In all, his last four attempts had yielded three misses.

So when Van Andel hit the upright again against South Alabama (this time with a favorable carom), Red Wolves fans felt the terrible chagrin one only feels when you follow a program that has not a reliable kicker. However, Van Andel rediscovered his Week 1 consistency and delivered three more successful kicks, the last the game winner to bury the Jaguars. The performance earned Van Andel a second SBC Special Teams Player of the Week honor.

Butch Speak

“You can have no JV moments.”

Butch Jones

Have the Red Wolves Become a Defense Team?

It wasn’t many seasons ago when the Red Wolves were an abysmal defensive team bereft of big playmakers. These days, Arkansas State ranks second behind James Madison in interceptions (7) while ranking a reasonable (and nice) 69th nationally in defending the pass. There’s still plenty left to be desired. Arkansas State ranks last in the conference for fumbles forced and third-to-last in sacks.

But you have to be pleased with the aggressive play of the unit’s linebackers, with Charles Wilekes, Marvin Ham and Justin Parks ranking in the top 12 in the Sun Belt for tackles. SMU transfer Jayden Jones has been a force at defensive end, and both Dontay Joyner and Justin Hodges have provided growing moment of excellence at the corners. The defense – expected to be a team weakness this season – limited a Jags offense that had put 48 points on Appalachian State in Boone and scored a conference record 87 in Week Three.

Should the Red Wolves continue to play above expectations on defense, this team will be formidable should it ever rediscover offense.

Texas State Sometimes Forgets To Win

The talent the Bobcats have on both sides of the ball is impressive, with McCloud, running back Ismail Mahdi and Joey Hobert powering the offense, and defensive end Ben Bell and safety Tory Spears leading the defense. As a whole, the team can be overwhelming, jumping to early leads.

Scoring isn’t necessarily an issue for the Bobcats, but nailing down the win can be. Against Arizona State, while in control during a close game at home, turnovers from McCloud and Madhi doomed the Bobcats to a 31-28 loss. After pouncing on Sam Houston for a quick 22-0 lead, the team experienced a rash of penalties and mental lapses that resulted in a one point loss. Acquiring a shutdown mentality in the fourth quarter is a skill developed by seasoned coaches and a veteran roster. The Bobcats have every physical tool with which to win games. The mindset may not always be there.

Bobcat To Discombobulate: Steven Parker, Senior, Defensive End

Texas State’s big #0 Steven Parker is on the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List for a reason – he ranks third in the SBC for TFLs (6’4″ 263-pounds), captaining a defensive front that leads the conference in sacks and forced fumbles. Quite frankly, Parker (formerly of Incarnate Word) is among a number of defensive linemen that could be called out here – Kalil Alexander, Ben Bell and Jo’Laison Landry will all provide challenges for Arkansas State’s yet-to-fully-meld offensive line.

Who Wolfs Out: Corey Rucker, Junior, Wide Receiver

After hinting at huge potential in previous seasons, Rucker now seemed determined to become the go-to leader on the team, as evidenced by the 172 hard yards the 6’0″ wideout amassed in the win over South Alabama. Like Omar Bayless and Jay Adams before him, Rucker is rapidly become the 50%-ball receiver that benefited past A-State quarterbacks like Fredi Knighten and Justice Hansen. The Texas State run defense may be the best in the Belt, but you can throw on the Bobcats – if given the time. Look for Rucker to be asked to accrue more hard yards.

“No Blink”

Before embarking on the two game road swing, we noted Arkansas State’s uncanny coolness under pressure. The difference between this year’s team and of teams past is a resilience against adversity, I wrote. In the first years of Jones’ tenure, a mistake like a botched punt return or even an ugly three-and-out would have sapped the entire team of its spirit. This team seems to relish the challenge. Down 10 points at the half? It’s just an opportunity to make a comeback.

That spirit returned Saturday against South Alabama, when the Jaguars took a 16-15 lead with 1:49 left in the game. “The way we responded, third and 25, we give up a catastrophic touchdown pass, and there was no blink,” said Butch Jones. All three victories for Arkansas State this year were comebacks. This is a team that doesn’t falter in the fourth quarter.

Will We See More Malik Hornsby?

When Hornsby transferred from Texas State to Arkansas State, many expected to see the big, speedy 4-star athlete play a significant role at wide receiver. Thus far, we’ve only seen him active on a handful of plays.

Coach Jones said in the Tuesday presser that getting Hornsby more involved is a priority, and that the former QB is still getting a grasp on the playbook. Will we see more Hornsby now that he’s playing his former team in San Marcos? Butch Jones strongly implied no (by saying “no.”) but you never know.

The Final Analysis

Coach Butch Jones made it clear that he considers the Bobcats, with its aggressive defense and “special” quarterback, the best team in the Sun Belt. It’s hard to argue with him. Texas State has massive talent on both sides of the ball. But does this team have the veteran state-of-mind to win a championship? Does it have the fourth quarter cool to win this game?

We know the Red Wolves have the fourth quarter cool, having already secured two comeback wins on last possession drives. Arkansas State quarterback Jaylen Raynor, who’s had his issues with accuracy and decision making, seems most comfortable and potent when time is running out and the game is on the line. Whatever the Bobcats toss at this team, the Red Wolves won’t be ruffled.

That said, defeating the Bobcats in San Marcos is no easy feat. This team has so many weapons, it should be given an invite to join NATO. Expect this battle of wolves and cats to be a real dog fight.

Images from Sun Belt Media, Arkansas State Media, and an AI generated monstrosity