Coastal Carolina Vs Arkansas State: Preview & Prediction

Game Time: 7:00 PM, Saturday October 14th 2017

Location: Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro Arkansas

TV: ESPN3

Radio: Chanticleer Sports Network

Spread: Arkansas State -17 O/U 64.5

CCU Outlook

Coastal Carolina now begins its toughest stretch of this 2017 campaign as they travel to Jonesboro to take on a very game Arkansas State team. After a tough 27-21 loss to Georgia State last week it is now going to be tough to find a win for this Coastal team going forward as Texas State or Georgia Southern look to be the only winnable games left for the Chants.

One thing I was glad to see was last week against Georgia State was Tyler Keane looks to be establishing himself as the true starting QB for this squad. Keane went 18/26 passing for 239 yards and 3 touchdowns with no turnovers. However big name running back Osharmar Abercrombie had another sluggish performance as he only managed 42 yards on 9 carries as Coastal seems to be leaning more and more towards a pass first offense.

The Chanticleer defense is going to have to play with a swagger it has not had since the FCS days for CCU to walk out with a W on Saturday night. Coastals defense gives up 37 points per game which is right on par as Arkansas State puts up 37 points per game. ASU qb Justice Hansen did throw four interceptions last week against Georgia Southern so it may be key for CCU to try and pressure Hansen into throwing some bad passes and take advantage of every chance they get.

A-State Outlook

There was a collective exhale from the mid-south after HC Blake Anderson announced that QB Justice Hansen was "completely healthy" and "ready to go" for homecoming against new Sun Belt brethren Coastal Carolina. The junior was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as a top 20 finalist, one of only seven G5 quarterbacks to make it. He is #1 or #2 in the conference in total offense, passing yards avg, passing touchdowns, and pass efficiency as well as being ranked 11th nationally in yards per game (325). Coastal has not put pressure on anyone this year,only recording a single pic and six sacks, time to throw + healthy Hansen = 400+ yards.

DC Joe Cauthen seemed to be gaining confidence in his units tackling ability this week even though they gave up over 300 yards rushing to option based Georgia Southern. After missing at least 15 tackles a game in the first three contests, the Red Wolves defense missed 10 tackles against the Eagles and Cauthen sees only improvement in the future. Hopefully we will see a more active and healthy Dee Liner as his presence in the middle would take some of the pressure off the linebacking corps which this week lost Tajhea Chambers to injury for what could be several weeks. Now a replacement by committee situation will take over that spot.

Prediction

Aikman Chambers: This would be a huge win for a young up and coming FBS program in Coastal Carolina but A-State has too many weapons and Hansen will bounce back with a big performance here against a suspect at best CCU defense. A-State 44-24

Martin Ferguson: The ASU defense is nicked and injured and still trying to find its footing in 2017 but a healthy return of Justice Hansen may guarantee 40+ points scored by the Red Wolves giving Joe Cauthen’s bend but don't break defense more time to grow up and get healthy. state 48 CCU 21