Arkansas State Football Schedule: Complete 2023 Season Dates and Matchups

As I sit down to analyze the 2023 Arkansas State football schedule, I can't help but draw some interesting parallels with the world of professional golf that's been dominating sports headlines lately. You see, while Arkansas State prepares for their upcoming season, there's another significant sporting development happening halfway across the world that shares some fascinating similarities with what our Red Wolves are facing this year. The Asian Tour's kick-off leg and their upcoming International Series event in October featuring LIV Tour's top golfers actually mirrors the strategic approach Arkansas State has taken with their scheduling this season.

Looking at the complete 2023 slate, what immediately stands out to me is how the Red Wolves have structured their non-conference games. They're opening against Oklahoma on September 2nd in what I consider a brutal but necessary test for the program. Personally, I love that they're not shying away from these Power Five matchups, even if the odds are stacked against them. It reminds me of how the Asian Tour is elevating its profile by hosting International Series events with LIV golfers - sometimes you need those high-profile contests to raise your program's visibility and competitive level. The Memphis game on September 9th particularly intrigues me because it's a regional rivalry that always brings out the best in both teams, and having followed this series for years, I can tell you the energy at Centennial Bank Stadium will be electric that night.

The conference schedule presents what I believe to be a manageable but challenging path through Sun Belt play. Starting with Southern Miss on September 16th gives them a solid entry point into conference competition, though I'm particularly concerned about that October 14th matchup against Coastal Carolina. Having watched them play last season, I'm convinced their offensive scheme could cause real problems for Arkansas State's defense. The November stretch looks especially demanding with back-to-back road games at South Alabama and Texas State, which I've always found to be particularly tough environments for visiting teams. What many casual fans might not realize is how much travel factors into these conference games - the mileage accumulation throughout the season takes a real physical toll that's often underestimated.

Now, here's where I'll share a perspective that might be controversial: I actually prefer this year's schedule to last year's, despite what appears to be a more challenging lineup. The timing of the bye week on October 28th seems perfectly positioned before the final push, unlike last season when it came too early. Having attended nearly every home game for the past decade, I've noticed how crucial these scheduling nuances can be for team performance down the stretch. The sequence of games allows for proper development and adjustment periods that last year's calendar simply didn't provide.

The final three games present what I consider the make-or-break segment of the season. That November 18th home game against Marshall could very well determine bowl eligibility, and having witnessed this matchup develop into a genuine rivalry over recent years, I'm expecting another classic confrontation. The regular season concludes on November 25th at Texas State, which based on my observations of recent seasons, often proves to be a tricky spot for teams with travel fatigue setting in. What encourages me most about this schedule is the distribution of home and away games - having six home contests provides a significant advantage that could translate to at least four victories if the team capitalizes on their home-field advantage properly.

Reflecting on the entire schedule, I'm optimistic about the Red Wolves' chances to improve on last year's 3-9 record. The strategic placement of winnable games alongside those challenging measuring-stick contests creates what I see as an ideal development path for this team. Much like the Asian Tour's strategic incorporation of LIV golfers to elevate their events, Arkansas State's scheduling approach shows thoughtful planning that should serve the program well both immediately and in future recruiting cycles. While I'm predicting a 6-6 finish and bowl eligibility, the true value of this schedule lies in its ability to test and develop the team in ways that will pay dividends beyond this single season.