Separated by 970 miles, the two meet eye-to-eye in a conference matchup that will determine the trajectory for both programs.

The Red Wolves are, after a mere two weeks, the nation’s leading pass offense, racking up 920 yard via the air while bombing the end zone 9 times. A-State’s Corey Rucker is second in the nation with 4 TD grabs, and he’s richly accompanied by exceptional talent in Jeff Foreman, Te’Vailance Hunt and about half-a-dozen other guys who can step in and make big plays.

On September 11, the Tigers darken The Cent in Butchboro. The win over UCA was jolly good fun, sure. But the stakes are higher on Saturday, somehow. We don’t share a conference. We have few common opponents. Though we claim the same recruiting grounds, the beef between the two programs is more personal than professional – especially with Memphis recently enjoying the national success Arkansas State has always wantonly craved.