Grambling State at Arkansas State 9/3/22 - College Football Picks & Predictions

The Grambling State Tigers open the 2022 season in Jonesboro, Ark., against the Arkansas State Red Wolves on Sept. 3.

Grambling State is beginning its first season under Hue Jackson, the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders. Butch Jones is in his second season at the helm for Arkansas State’s and you can find out who else is playing with our free college football previews.

Grambling State finished fourth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s West Division a year ago at 3-5. The Tigers were 4-7 overall. Arkansas State was 2-10 a year ago. The Red Wolves finished last in the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division at 1-7.

Grambling State’s top returning player is junior defensive lineman Sundiata Anderson. Anderson was a 2021 All-SWAC First Team selection and was voted to the Preseason All-SWAC First Team this season. The Tigers’ kicking game is in good shape with Garrett Urban returning for his senior season after being named to the All-SWAC Second Team as a junior. 

Arkansas State is looking to reverse a two-year skid after struggling in all facets of the game in Jones’ first season. Prior to 2020, the Red Wolves had nine straight winning campaigns including six conference championships. Arkansas State’s aerial attack was its best asset in 2021 as the team averaged nearly 400 yards total offense a game. The Red Wolves’ defense was putrid, ranking last in the NCAA against the run and second to last overall by giving up more than 500 yards and nearly 40 points a game.