College Football News - This Week's Games

[MeanGreen61]

Arkansas State (5-5) at North Texas (2-8), 2 pm ET

Why to watch:

Arkansas State can win the Sun Belt title and get to the New Orleans Bowl by beating North Texas and hoping for a UL Lafayette win over UL Monroe. The Indians have had a strange season with occasional moments of brilliance mixed in with occasionally lousy performances, like last week's 38-10 loss to Army. North Texas has been one of the season's biggest disappointments, but it has also been a bit unlucky losing its last three games by a grand total of 11 points. On a five-game losing streak, a win over Arkansas State to end the Indian Sun Belt title hopes would be a nice way to end the season.

Why Arkansas State might win:

You don't lose as many close games as UNT has lost this year without a reason. The lack of a passing game, and the inability to move the ball in crunch time, and the inability to make the really big play when the offense has moved the ball late, has killed the Mean Green all season long. It hasn't helped that the defense hasn't come close to stopping anyone's rushing attack, and ASU has one of the Sun Belt's best averaging 196 yards per game.

Why North Texas might win:

The Arkansas State run defense was ripped to shreds last week by Carlton Jones and an Army ground game that cranked out 300 yards and four touchdowns. ASU also allowed three touchdown runs to MTSU and 457 rushing yards and five scores against UL Lafayette. Running the ball is the one thing UNT has been able to do relatively well this season thanks to ...

Who to watch: ... senior RB Patrick Cobbs.

Under the radar this year thanks to the poor play of the team, Cobbs has bounced back nicely from the knee injury that kept him out all of 2004 rushing for 978 yards and five touchdowns. He has completely carried the Mean Green offense over the last three weeks with 197 yards and three scores against UL Lafayette, 142 yards against Florida Atlantic, and 105 yards and a score against UL Monroe. Expect his eight 100-yard rushing day this season as he closes out his great career with a bang.

What will happen:

North Texas is way overdue for a break to go the right way and to be on the right side of a close game.

CFN Prediction: North Texas 16 ... Arkansas State 13 ... Line: Arkansas State -2.5 |

Make your pick and compete against others

Must See Rating: (5 lock yourself in a room to watch - 1 The Biggest Loser) ... 1.5

SUN BELT GAMES

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