GoDaddy Bowl 2015: Preview, Predictions for Arkansas State vs. Toledo
Sunday, January 4 will see the renewal of the GoDaddy Bowl as the Arkansas State Red Wolves, this year's Sun Belt champions, will take on the Toledo Rockets.
The game will kick off at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Check out this bowl's biggest players, as well as each team's keys to victory.
Tale of the Tap
1 of 7As this graphic shows, Toledo holds the edge over Arkansas State in nearly every significant category.
Arkansas State Keys to Victory
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1. Shutdown Toledo's run game
Arkansas State's biggest task in this bowl game will be shutting down Toledo running backs Kareem Hunt and Terry Swanson, who have combined for over 2,000 yards this season on the ground.
The Red Wolves rank just 93rd in rush defense this season, giving up 191.9 yards per game. So fixing that issue prior to their matchup with the Rockets will be critical.
2. Get QB Fredi Knighten going
So often this season, the Red Wolves have gone as Knighten has gone. Five of Arkansas State's seven wins this year have come when Knighten throws for at least 200 yards.
Letting a quarterback get in a rhythm falls heavily on the offensive line's protection. Knighten's been sacked 29 times this season—that's over two times a game. Not a lot, but still a little alarming. If the offensive line can protect Knighten and let him settle in, the Red Wolves could give Toledo a run for its money.
3. Run the ball like you did against New Mexico State
In the last game of the regular season for Arkansas State, the Red Wolves ran wild against New Mexico State to the tune of 469 rushing yards. Knighten, Michael Gordon and Johnston White each broke the century mark in the game.
You run the ball like that, you won't lose too many games.
Toledo Keys to Victory
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1. Establish Kareem Hunt and the run game
There's no denying that Toledo's biggest asset is its run game. Kareem Hunt has 1,360 yards this season and the Rockets are 18th in the nation in rushing yards per game (247.3).
You win games by doing what you do best, and running the ball is what Toledo does best.
2. Keep Arkansas State one dimensional
Arkansas State is most dangerous when they have multiple facets of the game working for them. In their game against New Mexico State, they had three 100-yard rushers.
Toledo's defense has been suspect this year, giving up 27.8 points a game. If the Rockets can keep the Red Wolves from becoming too dynamic, that'll play into Toledo's hands.
3. Win the turnover battle
With just 16 turnovers lost this year, the Rockets rank 28th in the nation in that category. The Rockets take care of the ball and do their best not to beat themselves.
If they continue to do that, beating Arkansas State shouldn't be too much of a challenge.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Arkansas State Players to Watch
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QB Fredi Knighten
With 30 total touchdowns and 3,649 total yards, Knighten is a do-it-all quarterback. But he's also inconsistent at times. In perhaps Arkansas State's biggest win of the season against Utah State, he was limited to just 190 passing yards and six rushing yards.
Knighten is a roll of the dice. But when he's on, he's on.
RB Michael Gordon
The junior back is at the helm of the nation's 25th-best rushing offense, as he's racked up 1,064 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. He's the only Red Wolves rusher to crack the 1,000-yard mark despite the team averaging 229 rushing yards per contest.
At 5'9" and 187 pounds, he's not the biggest guy on the field, but Gordon gets the job done.
FS Qushaun Lee
A shutdown safety, Lee has an outside chance of actually being drafted this spring by the NFL. With four interceptions this year, he's certainly stood out.
It'll be interesting to see how Lee does in potentially his last meaningful performance in front of NFL scouts.
Toledo Players to Watch
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RB Kareem Hunt
As Kareem Hunt goes, so to do the Rockets. Hunt has 1,360 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns for a team that is 18th nationally in rush offense.
Just a sophomore, this is far from Hunt's last game as a rocket. But legends are made in bowl games, so look for Hunt to establish himself against a weak Arkansas State rush defense.
QB Logan Woodside
There's always going to be focus on the signal-caller. For Toledo, their guy is Logan Woodside, and he's racked up 19 touchdowns through the air but just 2,096 passing yards.
But Woodside is coming off perhaps the best game of the season for him, where he threw for 323 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in a 52-16 win over Eastern Michigan.
If he can bring that fire to Arkansas State, Toledo could run away with this one.
LB Junior Sylvestre
The only guy projected to be drafted from Toledo in the spring, Junior Sylvestre was a First Team All-MAC as a junior and had another great year as a senior in 2014. He racked up 94 tackles, 9.5 of them for a loss, and 2.5 sacks.
What They're Saying
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Arkansas State Head Coach Blake Anderson:
"“We’re not only excited to continue our season, but specifically to play in a postseason game as highly regarded as the GoDaddy Bowl,” said Blake Anderson, who has tied the third most victories ever by a head coach in his first season at Arkansas State. “Our team has persevered and worked extremely hard this season to put itself in this position, so we want to take full advantage of this opportunity and finish our season strong.”
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Toledo Head Coach Matt Campbell:
"“I think the GoDaddy Bowl will provide our players with an outstanding bowl experience, as well as the opportunity to play against a very tough Arkansas State team,” said UT head coach Matt Campbell. “Playing in the GoDaddy Bowl is an excellent reward for our players, coaches and everyone involved in our team’s success.”
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Prediction
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This game is Toledo's to lose.
They have one of the best rushing attacks in the nation, they've faced better competition this season and they'll be ready for the Red Wolves.
Expect Kareem Hunt to go off on a very weak rushing defense of Arkansas State, which will allow the Rockets to set the tone.
Either way though, expect a surprisingly good game between two lower-tier FBS teams that still have plenty to offer in early January.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
