Arkansas State Football: Will Red Wolves become threats in 2021?

It was a difficult season for the Arkansas State Red Wolves as a program. Despite a promising mentality and offense, it was the defense that killed any hope of a successful season the Red Wolves could have created.

The Red Wolves finished with an overall record of 4-7, which is their first losing season since 2010. To make matters worse for the Red Wolves program, one of their winningest head coaches in program history in Blake Anderson left to be the head coach of the Utah State Aggies.

Determined to complete a solid rebuilding process, the Red Wolves hired former Cincinnati and Tennessee head coach Butch Jones. He spent the last three years as an offensive analyst and assistant to Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban. Jones has the hunger and has the extensive knowledge to create a conference championship-contending program.

The Red Wolves expect to be competitors in a tough Sun Belt Conference this season. Athlon Sports projects the Arkansas State football to be second place in the Western Division behind the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. The Red Wolvess are also projected to miss out on a postseason bowl game for the second consecutive season.

The Red Wolves will have a high-caliber passing offense returning in 2021, but they will need more efficiency from their defense to get a .500% season. The schedule for Arkansas State football will feature tough opponents, both in the Sun Belt and non-conference. The Red Wolves are not far from relevance from competing in the Sun Belt and as a postseason bowl contender, but they will need to better on both sides of the ball.