FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Of course Sam Pittman and his Arkansas Razorbacks are listed as one of 28 power conference teams predicted to miss postseason play in 2024 by 247sports. After falling to 4-8 last season, the Hogs missed postseason play after three consecutive bowl berths which turnsedup the heat in Fayetteville to right the ship.
“Arkansas committed to coach Sam Pittman for another year, but how long would his leash be if he fails to achieve bowl eligibility? His Razorbackss’ win total plummeted last fall for a second year in a row, and their ability to recover from a down season largely hinges on transfer quarterback Taylen Green. If he hits, this could be a .500 squad. But 247Sports and CBS Sports agree that getting to the postseason is a tall order.” -247Sports
– Brad Crawford, Jerry Palm of 247Sports
There is talent on this team, but quality depth is a concern at critical positions. Quarterback Taylen Green impressed during spring ball with better accuracy than what was shown at Boise State. Green’s dual threat abilities will be counted upon as new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s hand-picked leader for lead his scheme.
Linebacker has been a consistent concern during the offseason after losing three major contributors from last season. Most skepticism is due to unknown commodities outside of former 5-star Georgia transfer Xavian Sorey.
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Jacksonville State transfer Larry Worth has been somewhat of a surprise given his short stint at the FBS level. His athleticism is a topic defensive coordinator Travis Williams has raved about during fall camp.
At points, Arkansas’ best offense was its special teams with Cam Little booming kicks for from 50+ yards with regularity. Now, with Little in the NFL with Jacksonville, it’ll be up to a group of experienced transfers like Matt Shipley (Hawaii) to fill an important role if the Razorbacks offense goes anemic at times.
Arkansas’ schedule is tough, but that’s totally old news at this point. The Razorbacks start the season with UAPB, a perceived early season victory in Little Rock where many back-ups likely get to shine.
Oklahoma State, however, will welcome Arkansas into Boone Pickens Stadium for the first time since 1978. The Cowboys have college football’s oldest offensive line with seven players who have started a game averaging out at 23.6 years old. Whew, COVID eligibility exceptions ought to become extinct soon.
UAB isn’t the same program it was after being revitalized under Bill Clark after football operations were shuttered in 2014. A road trip to Auburn under second year coach Hugh Freeze will be a tough one before going to Jerry’s World for the finale of a one-sided Southwest Classic rivalry against Texas A&M.
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Pittman’s team will need to be 3-2 at best before a huge swing of games inside Razorback Stadium during the meat of its schedule. Ranked teams like Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas come calling with a road game against Mississippi State sandwiched in between.
The Razorbacks will likely be underdogs in every match-up unless they pull off road upsets against either Auburn or the Aggies. There may not be a strong chance to steal a win from any of the playoff contenders visiting Fayetteville, but Arkansas is said to be confident ahead of a monumental year in the sport.
Arkansas’ regular season closes with a non-conference buy-game against Louisiana Tech before traveling to Missouri. The Tigers hope to contend for a spot in the first 12-team playoff and, if still in contention, Drinkwitz and company will be zoned in for the Razorbacks.
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A pair of 7-5 teams from the Sun Belt and MAC are set to square off at South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, on Dec. 26 as Arkansas State meets Bowling Green in the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl.
The game has existed since 1999 and gone by quite a few names, most recently the LendingTree Bowl, and this year’s iteration pits two teams that finished with winning records in conference play against each other.
Former Tennessee coach Butch Jones leads the Red Wolves in his fourth season, and they finished third in the Sun Belt West but suffered blowout losses to Louisiana and Texas State, which finished ahead of them.
The Falcons, led by sixth-year coach Scot Loeffler, finished tied for third in the MAC as they were predicted before the season. After a 2-4 start, Bowling Green strung five wins together in a row, a streak that ended in the final week of the regular season against Miami (Ohio).
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A victory in the 68 Ventures Bowl would give Bowling Green its first bowl win since 2014 and the first under Loeffler. It would also mark his first eight-win season and the Falcons’ first since 2015. Jones is also looking for his first eight-win season at Arkansas State, a program that boasts four bowl wins since moving up to FBS in 1992 but none since 2019, before Jones took over.
We’ll see which coach can reach eight wins for the first time at their respective programs when Arkansas State and Bowling Green head to Mobile on Boxing Day.
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Harold Fannin and the Bowling Green Falcons and the Arkansas State Red Wolves play in the 68 Ventures Bowl. The bowl matchup is December 26, 2024, starting at 9 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN.
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Interested in watching the matchup featuring the Falcons and Red Wolves? You can find it on ESPN.
Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.
USMNT goal filled weekend: Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Johnny Cardoso & more! | SOTU
Alexi Lalas and David Mosse broke down the United States Men’s National Team’s goal-filled weekend, where Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Johnny Cardoso, and Brenden Aaronson scored for their respective clubs. The guys are excited, as the USMNT players continue to stack strong performances one after another in Europe.
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Learn more about the Bowling Green Falcons and the Arkansas State Red Wolves.
How to Watch Bowling Green vs. Arkansas State
When: Thursday, December 26, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET
Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama
Live Box Score: FOX Sports
Read More About This Game
Bowling Green vs. Arkansas State Predictions
Bowling Green’s 2024 Schedule
Date
Opponent
Score
8/29/2024
vs. Fordham
W 41-17
9/7/2024
at Penn State
L 34-27
9/21/2024
at Texas A&M
L 26-20
9/28/2024
vs. Old Dominion
L 30-27
10/5/2024
at Akron
W 27-20
10/12/2024
vs. Northern Illinois
L 17-7
10/19/2024
vs. Kent State
W 27-6
10/26/2024
at Toledo
W 41-26
11/5/2024
at Central Michigan
W 23-13
11/12/2024
vs. Western Michigan
W 31-13
11/23/2024
at Ball State
W 38-13
11/29/2024
vs. Miami (OH)
L 28-12
12/26/2024
vs. Arkansas State
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Bowling Green 2024 Stats & Insights
Bowling Green ranks 87th in total offense (369.4 yards per game) and 32nd in total defense (331.1 yards allowed per game) this season.
Bowling Green ranks 70th in passing yards this year (224.6 per game), but has been thriving on the other side of the ball, ranking 20th-best in the FBS with 181.3 passing yards allowed per game.
The Falcons rank 73rd in points scored this season (26.8 points per game), but they’ve been shining on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 20th-best in the FBS with 20.3 points allowed per game.
The Falcons are totaling 144.8 rushing yards per game on offense this season (83rd in the FBS), and they are surrendering 149.8 rushing yards per game (73rd) on the other side of the ball.
Bowling Green ranks 91st in third-down conversion rate this season (37.5%), but has been playing really well on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 16th-best in the FBS with a 32.3% third-down conversion rate allowed.
The Falcons rank 47th in college football with a +3 turnover margin after forcing 13 turnovers (99th in the FBS) and committing 10 (15th in the FBS).
Arkansas State’s defense has been bottom-25 in total defense this season, allowing 460.7 total yards per game, which ranks sixth-worst. On the offensive side of the ball, it ranks 66th with 386.4 total yards per contest.
Arkansas State is putting up 227.1 passing yards per game on offense this season (67th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is allowing 234.4 passing yards per contest (96th-ranked) on defense.
The Red Wolves rank 93rd in points per game (24.8), but they’ve been less productive on the other side of the ball, ranking 23rd-worst in the FBS with 32.3 points allowed per contest.
The Red Wolves rank 73rd in rushing yards per game (159.3), but they’ve been less productive defensively, ranking fourth-worst in the FBS with 226.3 rushing yards surrendered per contest.
Arkansas State’s defense has been bottom-25 on third down this season, surrendering a 46.9% third-down conversion percentage, which ranks 12th-worst in the FBS. On offense, it ranks 71st with a 46.9% third-down rate.
The Red Wolves have recorded 19 forced turnovers (43rd in the FBS) and committed 17 turnovers (60th in the FBS) this season for a +2 turnover margin that ranks 54th in the FBS.
Pine Bluff native and Missouri transfer wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield signed with Arkansas on Wednesday.
The former four-star recruit announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal last Thursday and he officially entered last Friday. Crutchfield redshirted this season for the Tigers.
A 6-foot-2, 188-pound pass catcher, Crutchfield recorded 42 receptions for 930 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior season at Pine Bluff. He was committed to Arkansas for nearly seven months before eventually signing with Missouri.
Crutchfield will have four years of eligibility remaining. He was rated by Rivals as the No. 2 overall recruit and No. 1 wide receiver in the state of Arkansas in the 2024 recruiting class.
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