Finally, it’s here.
The week we wash from our eyes the residue of an off-season deluge of stories touching on the fact that, yes, Arkansas State’s football head coach Hugh Freeze was depicted in the The Blind Side, one of 2009’s surprise hits.
That movie briefly shows the role Freeze played in the development of Michael Oher, who went from a homeless and traumatized boy to first round NFL draft pick. Freeze coached him at a private high school in Memphis, soon after Oher had been adopted by a caring woman and her family.
But a central story-line this week concerns the new identity ASU’s program has adopted under Freeze, and all the new fans its high-powered spread offense could win considering the unprecedented platform Saturday’s ASU-UCA game has been given.
As for the current fans, they’re already having plenty fun with the resurrection of this 95-year-old rivalry. It’s about time, too.
There are way too few games played between Division I programs in Arkansas, and kudos to the big wigs for making this one happen. I mean, what else besides heated in-state rivalry could inspire comparisons between UCA’s kicker to Frodo Baggins, or a recent Bears transfer to the Cheshire Cat? Something tells me Sun Belt opponent Florida Atlantic ain’t getting this kind of attention from the ASU faithful.
The game, to be played in Jonesboro, should be fun to watch. Going in, ASU holds advantages beyond its home field.
The school is a full-fledged member of the FBS (Division I-A) while UCA is an FCS (Division I-AA) program. ASU is allowed to grant scholarships to 85 players; UCA can give a maximum of 63 scholarships.
So, from a talent standpoint, ASU walks into this shootout with more ammunition.
Another problem for the the Bears: star senior quarterback Nathan Dick, a former Razorback who had been playing the best ball of his career early this season, was knocked out of Saturday’s loss to Sam Houston State with a concussion. His status against ASU is questionable.
{Since} If Dick can’t play, or isn’t effective, then sophomore Wynrick Smothers steps in. “~Im me~”, Smothers declares on his My Space profile, and indeed if Smothers is to be himself on Saturday, ASU will see a better athlete and more dangerous running threat than Dick. But the game will also be the inexperienced Smothers’ first start.
There is capable talent surrounding the quarterbacks, including running back Jackie Hinton (who is recovering from a hamstring injury) and wunderkind wide receiver Jesse Grandy, who starred at Ole Miss last year. An ankle injury kept star linebacker Frank Newsome from playing Saturday but he’s expected to return against ASU.
A final plus for the Bears, this one psychological: the last time these teams played, in 1997, UCA barely lost to ASU 36-35. UCA was then Division II and allowed only 36 scholarships for its football players.
So, yes, it walks into this match-up with significantly more talent.
But that should be offset by another ASU advantage. With its statewide broadcast, this game presents a perfect opportunity for Hugh Freeze to elevate his local reputation from “the coach who was in that Sandra Bullock movie” to “offensive mastermind” and in the process open doors to some of Arkansas’ better high school recruits. To take advantage of this exposure, look for Freeze to throw most – if not all – of his playbook at the Bears.
My prediction: ASU 48, UCA 28
What’s yours?
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For me, it has been 14 years!!! The battle is this Saturday!!! ASU Indians now ASU Red Wolves. Wish one day that us Red Wolves play the Razorbacks.
Decent write up, however the talent gap is much bigger now than it ever has been. yes grandy is fast but ASU has a 2deep roster of guys as fast and as skilled grandy. I was at UCA vs Latech yes grandy had a few great catches but they were defensive breakdowns. ASU will be the most physical defense they see ALL year..Remeber ASU defense caused a train-wreck in Memphis QB’s Debut.Mostly because UCA will be a 1 dimension offense. THey will not beable to run the Football. I think it will be the same result for the team on the away side of the feild
ASU 52 UCA 10
Good stuff, Rob.
There is certainly the possibility that things could get real ugly, real quick for UCA fans if ASU’s defense gets a couple quick turnovers.
PS If you haven’t already, you may want to also add your score to the ASU-UCA prediction poll at
http://hub.syncweekly.com/index.php/2011/09/19/asu-vs-uca-predict-the-score/
Can’t hurt!
Nice article. I think the game could be closer than some folks are predicting, however if does have the chance get out of hand on the favor of ASU if the younger QB Smothers struggles. UCA always has a good offense under Conque.
I would say though that the ASU fans on The Den actually do a “separated at birth” thread for every team that ASU plays. So other than that fact it still will be a fun rivalry and I hope that it is a sold out game and the ASU and UCA fans show the state that there is more than just UA in this state.
I stand corrected. Bring on the Florida Atlantic comparisons!