2025-11-16 11:00
Your Complete Guide to the 2023 Arkansas State Football Schedule and Key Matchups
As I sit down to analyze the 2023 Arkansas State football schedule, I can't help but draw some unexpected parallels with another major sporting event happening this year. You see, while I've been studying Arkansas State's upcoming season, I've also been following the Asian Tour's groundbreaking move to host its first International Series event in October featuring LIV Tour's top golfers. It's fascinating how both these sporting calendars represent new beginnings and fresh challenges in their respective fields.
Looking at Arkansas State's 2023 slate, what immediately stands out to me is the brutal opening stretch. The Red Wolves face three consecutive road games against Power Five opponents - something I haven't seen in my fifteen years of covering Sun Belt Conference football. They kick off at Oklahoma on September 2nd, travel to Memphis on September 9th, and then face Iowa State on September 16th. That's three challenging environments before they even play their home opener. Personally, I think this scheduling philosophy is either incredibly brave or slightly mad, but it certainly makes for compelling television. The Oklahoma game particularly worries me - facing a Sooners team that went 6-7 last year might seem manageable until you remember they're playing in Norman, where the crowd noise alone can rattled even veteran quarterbacks.
The home schedule brings some relief, though timing is everything. Their first home game against Stony Brook on September 23rd should provide a welcome breather, but then they dive straight into conference play. The October stretch looks particularly challenging, coincidentally mirroring that Asian Tour International Series golf event I mentioned earlier. While top golfers are competing in their inaugural event that month, Arkansas State will be navigating what I consider the make-or-break portion of their schedule. They host Southern Miss on October 7th - a rivalry that's produced some absolute classics over the years. Then comes Coastal Carolina on October 21st, followed by Louisiana on October 28th. I've got to be honest here - I'm marking that Louisiana game as potentially the most important contest of the season. The Ragin' Cajuns have dominated this series recently, winning the last four meetings by an average margin of 17 points.
November brings its own unique challenges, and this is where coaching depth and player development really show. The Red Wolves travel to South Alabama on November 4th, a place where they've struggled historically. Then they host Texas State on November 11th before their final road game at Marshall on November 18th. I'm particularly interested in that Marshall game - their defense returns eight starters from a unit that ranked 15th nationally last season. The regular season concludes at home against Troy on November 25th, which could have serious implications for bowl eligibility. Speaking of which, I'm predicting they'll need at least six wins to secure a bowl bid, though seven would make me feel much more comfortable about their postseason prospects.
What really stands out to me about this schedule is the balance between opportunity and risk. The early road tests could either forge a battle-hardened team or leave them battered before conference play even begins. I've seen both scenarios play out over the years. In 2015, a similar challenging start actually prepared them for a strong conference run, while in 2018, it seemed to drain their confidence. From my perspective, the key will be managing player health and morale through that opening gauntlet. The coaching staff will need to be strategic about practice intensity and rotation depth during those first three weeks.
The timing of certain matchups also intrigues me. Having the bye week on October 14th seems perfectly placed to regroup before the Coastal Carolina game. That's smart scheduling that could provide crucial preparation time. Meanwhile, playing Louisiana late in the season means both teams will have established their identities, making for what should be a tactical chess match. I'm expecting that game to feature two established running games and conservative defensive schemes - not necessarily the most exciting football for casual fans, but pure bliss for strategy nerds like myself.
As I reflect on the entire schedule, I keep coming back to that Asian Tour comparison. Both Arkansas State football and these international golfers are facing new challenges in unfamiliar territory this year. For the Red Wolves, success will depend on how they adapt to early adversity and whether they can peak during conference play. My prediction? I see them finishing 7-5, with losses to Oklahoma, Iowa State, Louisiana, Marshall, and one surprise upset somewhere along the way. But what do I know? That's the beauty of college football - the unexpected becomes routine, and underdogs frequently rise to the occasion. Whatever happens, it's going to be one fascinating season in Jonesboro.
