Jags Jungle picks: South Alabama at Arkansas State

The Jags Jungle crew breaks down South Alabama's Thursday night road test in Jonesboro.

On a rainy night in Mobile, the Jaguars celebrated homecoming with a 52-35 victory over ULM as an enthusiastic, albeit soggy, group of fans cheered them on.

Jared Hollins, in the third start of his career, used his powerful right arm to help his receivers victimize the Warhawks secondary to the tune of 321 yards through the air, 168 of them to Anthony Eager, while the ground game contributed another 249. However, where the offense roared, the defense whimpered, giving up those 35 points and 442 yards to a ULM offense that was only averaging 21.3 points and 344.5 yards coming into this one.

The assignments get nothing but tougher going forward, starting with a Thursday night tilt in Jonesboro, the Unhappiest Place on Earth for previous South Alabama teams.

The Jags Jungle panel checks in with their thoughts on the game:

Doug Konkel

I won't blame anyone if they've repressed the memories of South Alabama's last two games against the Red Wolves, both losses courtesy of last-second field goals by ASU kicker Clune Van Andel. I'm not so fortunate and replay them in my nightmares on the regular. Last week they were on the receiving end of that unkindness when ULL scored three on the last play to take the game, so perhaps their misery will bleed over into this game. South Alabama brings the conference's fourth-best offense (35.4 points per game) and fourth-worst defense (31.6 points per game allowed) while ASU brings the fourth-worst offense (24 points per game) and sixth-best defense (23.4 points per game allowed).

The Red Wolves don't stand out in any category, unless you count their total of three sacks registered in five games. For the most part they're just OK across the board with ESPN's SP+ rating them #104 to USA's #116. What they do have, however, is some sort of Jaguar voodoo doll and Clune Van Andel (yes, he's still there). The oddsmakers have USA as a 1.5-point road underdog, which means they also see this one as hard to call but they're giving ASU the edge because they're at home.

What do I think? I think this South Alabama offense is really starting to hit its stride and the defense simply has to start improving after five games in the new scheme. Assuming that, like investing, past performance does not guarantee future results, I'm ready to make the call. Jags win this one 27-24 and let's go ahead and assume that a Davis Little field goal inflicts the coup de grâce at the very end, just for fun.

Tres Harrison

South Alabama, coming off a big homecoming win against ULM, takes on an Arkansas State team fresh off a heartbreaking last-second 23-20 loss to ULL. This has been an electric matchup in recent years with Arkansas State pulling off the same kind of victory they were on the receiving end of this past Saturday. The last two games between the Jags and the Red Wolves have come down to the wire and been won by Arkansas State with a field goal in the waning moments of the evening.

Arkansas State has been struggling with a few things this season. The Red Wolves have allowed 7 sacks and thrown 4 interceptions this season, and in their game against the Ragin' Cajuns, only ran the ball for a combined 87 yards. To add to that, the Cajuns ran all over them in that loss. So it appears that, offensively, the Red Wolves suffer at the line.

The Jags, however, have very few problems offensively. PJ Martin, Keenan Phillips and Trae'von Dunbar, the coined "Cerberus Backs," share 844 yards on the season. To say that they're running rampant would be an understatement. With their performances averaging out to at least 4 yards a carry across the three of them, the run game will be a huge boon for the offense. I optimistically expect this to be a breakout game for the three of them. Then, of course, we cannot forget the newly announced starting quarterback: Jared Hollins. Coming off of an incredible performance against ULM, Hollins may have just put some defensive units on notice as a possible deep threat.

I've watched a lot of South Alabama football, and this game is always one that fills me with an immense sense of existential dread. Two years in a row, I have watched the Red Wolves give us trouble all game and then seemingly get put down only to mount a final drive to end the game with a victory plucked from the jaws of defeat. However, there is just something about the Jags this season that feels special to me. Offensively, the Jags are electric. Defensively, there are some glaring concerns. (Mostly secure tackling and allowing big plays.) But this squad looks hot and ready to run.

I believe the Jags will pull it out 31-25 with a big day on the ground and some deep shots to keep 'em guessing.

Caleb Seaver

The weather was ugly Saturday, but the offense was not. South Alabama moved the ball at will against a struggling ULM. Jared Hollins continues to shine, and he made a number of big throws amid an impressive game where he had over 300 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. His top target was Anthony Eager who had a huge game with 168 yards and 2 touchdowns, despite only having 4 receptions. The Jags ran the ball well, passed the ball well, but there was one thing they could not do: stop ULM through the air. ULM torched the South Alabama secondary, throwing for over 350 yards and 3 touchdowns. South Alabama will have to improve the pass defense moving forward.

It's a short week this week, as the Jags hit the road to take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves Thursday. The last few meetings have been rough for the Jags, back-to-back bad offensive performances leading to last-second losses. Arkansas State, meanwhile, is coming off a last-second loss to a solid Louisiana team. The Red Wolves' defense has been their strong suit, but overall a very balanced team. Weather could again be a factor in this one with gusty winds and light rain possible. Both teams will have to rely on the ground game, which does favor the Jags. I'm predicting that South Alabama finally rights some wrongs and wins a close one over the Red Wolves 26-21.

South Alabama and Arkansas State will kick off from Jonesboro at 6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday night. The game can be seen on ESPN2, but the South Alabama broadcast on the Jag Radio Network with JT Crabtree, Pat Greenwood and the rest of the crew will give you what you really want to hear.

Radio: Varsity Network App, Hot 94.1 FM, JOX 660 AM, 104.1-HD3 FM

Sirius XM Channel 994 (channel will change weekly)

Website: http://usajags.co/ListenLive