DAVIS
15 Dime --- ARKANSAS STATE MONEYLINE
To be honest, the biggest reason for me to release the Red Wolves as tonight's lone selection is the fact they've played better competition and will be more seasoned coming into this contest. Though they're only 1-3 on the year, the Wolves have lost to three teams with a combined 12-3 record and two teams in the top 20. Meanwhile, although the Warhawks of UL Monroe are 3-2 on the season and yes I realize they played Texas in their season opener, I'm not sure they've competed against the same caliber teams overall. In the their two games vs. teams from BCS conferences, the Warhawks lost by a combined score of 97 to 34 and were outgained by over 300 yards. The Wolves lost to Iowa and Nebraska by a combined 62-30 score and their last game was a nail-biter with the unbeaten Hawkeyes which they dropped 24-21 on the road.
Let's just say in the big games, I was more impressed with what Arkansas State did than I was with what UL Monroe did. Shoot, for that matter, I'm not even all that impressed with what ULM has done in their other three games. Let's look at who they've played. Florida International (1-4), Florida Atlantic (0-4), and Texas Southern (1-4, in the FCS, mind you). Aside from the blowout win over Texas Southern (and what else did you expect?), the Warhawks struggled to beat both Florida International and Florida Atlantic... no matter what the scores might say. In fact, in their 27-25 win over Florida Atlantic they were out-gained by over 100 total yards and looked sloppy doing so. Just looking back at some of their games, it's very apparent they don't take care of the football and have more combined turnovers than Arkansas State coming into tonight. Add the turnovers to the fact ULM simply commits too many penalties for my taste and you can see the intangibles clearly favor the road team. Most people will look at this game as an easy win for Monroe because they seem to be able to put up points, they're playing at home and they have a better record. Think again. I believe, top to bottom, the Red Wolves are simply better despite what the records say. I think they prove it tonight, beating the Warhawks 28-24.