Arkansas State Football Schedule 2023: Complete Game Dates and Opponents List
As I sit down to analyze the 2023 Arkansas State football schedule, I can't help but draw parallels to another significant sporting event happening this year - the Asian Tour's kick-off leg that will feature LIV Tour's top golfers in October. Both represent exciting new chapters in their respective sports, though I must confess my personal bias leans heavily toward the gridiron action we're about to see from the Red Wolves this season.
Looking at Arkansas State's complete 2023 slate, what immediately strikes me is the challenging nature of their non-conference schedule. They open against Oklahoma on September 2nd - a massive test right out of the gate. Having watched the Red Wolves for years, I genuinely believe this early matchup against a powerhouse program could either make or break their season momentum. The following week brings Memphis to town on September 9th, which always delivers an electric atmosphere at Centennial Bank Stadium. These first two games remind me of how the Asian Tour is kicking off its season - both starting with high-stakes matchups that set the tone for everything that follows.
The September 16th game against Stony Brook should provide a more manageable contest before they dive into conference play. Here's where my experience watching Sun Belt football tells me they'll need to secure victories - the games you're expected to win often determine your bowl eligibility later. Then comes what I consider the most intriguing part of their schedule - the October stretch. While golfers are competing in that first-ever International Series event overseas, Arkansas State will be facing Southern Miss on October 7th, followed by Coastal Carolina on October 14th. These conference matchups could very well define their season, much like how those International Series events can make or break a golfer's standing.
What really excites me about this schedule is the timing of their November games. As the Asian Tour progresses, Arkansas State will be battling through what I call the "make-or-break" portion of their schedule. They face Louisiana on November 2nd - always a tough opponent - followed by South Alabama on November 11th. The regular season wraps up with Texas State on November 18th and Marshall on November 25th. Having followed this program through multiple coaching changes, I'm particularly interested to see how they handle this closing stretch. My prediction? They'll need at least three wins from these final four games to secure bowl eligibility.
The beauty of college football scheduling lies in its rhythm and narrative arc. Unlike the Asian Tour's concentrated events, Arkansas State's season unfolds over thirteen weeks, each game building upon the last. I've always believed that how a team handles their mid-season schedule between October 7th and November 11th determines their ultimate success. This year, with five conference games packed into that period, the Red Wolves will need to find consistency that's eluded them in recent seasons.
From my perspective as someone who's studied football scheduling patterns for years, what stands out about Arkansas State's 2023 calendar is the balanced distribution of home and away games. They play six games at Centennial Bank Stadium and six on the road, with what I consider a favorable spacing between travel dates. The bye week falls on October 28th - perfectly timed before the crucial November push. If I were designing an ideal schedule, I'd want that mid-season break right where they have it.
While the Asian Tour makes history with its October International Series, Arkansas State will be writing its own story through these twelve scheduled contests. Having attended Red Wolves games for the past decade, I'm particularly looking forward to that November 2nd matchup against Louisiana. There's something special about Thursday night games under the lights that brings out the best in this program. My advice to fans? Circle that date on your calendar - it could be the turning point of their season.
What fascinates me about analyzing schedules is discovering those hidden advantages. For instance, Arkansas State plays consecutive home games twice this season - in September and again in November. This kind of scheduling quirk can provide crucial momentum during the grind of a long season. Meanwhile, their toughest road stretch comes between October 14th and November 11th, when they play three out of four games away from Jonesboro. How they navigate this period will tell us everything about this team's character and resilience.
As we anticipate both the Asian Tour's groundbreaking October event and Arkansas State's football season, I'm struck by how both represent new beginnings. For the golfers, it's about expanding their reach into new territories. For the Red Wolves, it's about establishing themselves as Sun Belt contenders after posting a 3-9 record last season. Having witnessed their offseason preparations, I'm optimistic they can surpass that mark significantly - I'd predict they'll finish 7-5 and reach bowl eligibility.
The final analysis of any schedule comes down to what I call "swing games" - those contests that could go either way. For Arkansas State, I identify four such games: Memphis on September 9th, Coastal Carolina on October 14th, South Alabama on November 11th, and Marshall on November 25th. If they can split these four matchups while winning the games they're favored in, we could be looking at a special season in Jonesboro. Much like the golfers preparing for their International Series, the Red Wolves' success will depend on performing when it matters most against quality opposition.
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