The college bowl season continues Thursday night with a stand-alone contest in the Lone Star State one day before the start of the College Football Playoff. It’s up against the pros, and it doesn’t exactly feature a marquee matchup. But the participants from neighboring states had to work to achieve eligibility, so it might be worth a look, even if it doesn’t involve teams that especially interest you.
For the third time already in this young bowl season, it’s a Sun Belt vs. Conference USA clash. And, for the second time already, it features a newcomer to the Bowl Subdivision enjoying immediate participation in the holiday festivities.
Here’s a look at the matchup.
Xbox Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Missouri State
Time/TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN in Frisco, Texas.
Why watch: Like Delaware a day earlier, FBS rookie Missouri State is also making its bowl debut. The Bears’ inaugural season in C-USA was highlighted by a five-game winning streak beginning in October. The RedWolves lived on the edge for much of the campaign, with three of their wins in Sun Belt play coming by a single point. That doesn’t promise a thriller here, of course, but it’s a strong possibility. Arkansas State will air it out frequently, with QB Jaylen Raynor looking often for WRs Corey Rucker and Chauncy Cobb. That will probably mean Missouri State DB Thomas Anderson will have a busy night. The backfield tandem of QB Jacob Clark and RB Shomari Lawrence leads the way for the Bears. The effort to keep them contained will be led by LB Aaron Alexander and DB AG McGhee for the RedWolves.
Why it could disappoint: Unfortunately for Missouri State, its early FBS success led to coach Ryan Beard being hired away by Coastal Carolina. Whether that will have an impact on the week’s preparations remains to be seen. The interest level for Arkansas State, coming in off a two-game losing streak, is equally hard to gauge.