Five Keys to Beating Arkansas State – From the Bird’s Nest

The task is clear for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns for the rest of the 2016 season.

Win.  Twice.

Louisiana is 4-6 and must win their final two games in order to become bowl eligible for the fifth time in six years under head coach Mark Hudspeth. But you can't win twice if you don't win the first one.

Arkansas State comes to town in a series dominated by the home team.  The Red Wolves (6-4, 6-0 Sun Belt) have won six straight after starting the season 0-4.  They need one win in their final two games to clinch at least a tie for the Sun Belt title.  It would be A-State's fifth in the last six seasons.

If the Cajuns are going to postpone the Red Wolves' celebration and make next week's game at ULM relevant, here's what needs to happen.

WIN FIRST AND SECOND DOWN--Probably more so than at any time this season.  Arkansas State's Ja'Von Roland-Jones and Chris Odom are sack machines.  The Red Wolves don't blitz a lot except on third down.  Third and short is important this week.  The Cajuns have allowed more sacks than they've accumulated this season.  Their best bet to keep that number from going up is to get it done on first and second down.

NO MAGIC WAND--There may be high scoring games in college football, but for a defense, stopping the run is tops on the list.  The diminutive Wand (5'5") is sometimes tough to find back there.  He and Johnston White are capable backs.  The Cajuns have to make sure they don't have good days.  In the Cajuns' six losses, five have come when the featured back has rushed for at least 80 yards.  That's what's known as a trend.

BE CAREFUL BACK THERE, ANTHONY--While Arkansas State hasn't been the interception machine they were a year ago, they're still active back there.  A-State has picked off a pass in each of their last five games.  They've won all of them.  Another trend. Be especially aware of Money Hunter.  The son of former Major Leaguer Torii, he's got four interception returns for scores in his career, the most in Sun Belt History.

IT'S WHAT'S UP FRONT THAT COUNTS--The Cajuns' offensive line has done a very good job the last two games.  They are part of the biggest matchup in this game.  Arkansas State is a very physical defensive football team, but it's not like they're just shutting teams down.  The Cajuns O-Line has to win the battle for the Cajuns to have a chance to win.

BRING BACK THE MAGIC--The Cajuns are 2-3 at home this year.  And, they've not been good at home in November the last three seasons.  Conversely, the Cajuns have been magical against the Red Wolves at Cajun Field, losing only once in "The Swamp" since 1992.  Remember when Cajun Field was considered the most intimidating place to play in the Sun Belt Conference?  That needs to return on Saturday.