Arkansas State knew it was coming. The Red Wolves must take their chase for the Sun Belt Conference title on the road.
After winning its first two league matchups at home, Arkansas State (4-2, 2-0) plays four of its last five conference games away from ASU Stadium. The first is Saturday night at Louisiana-Lafayette.
The Ragin Cajuns (3-3, 2-0) join the Red Wolves as part of a four-way tie atop the Sun Belt. The other two teams in that mix Troy and Florida International also play each other this week.
"This is a big game because there are four undefeated teams left in the Sun Belt," Louisiana-Lafayette coach Rickey Bustle said. "The game will feature the best two offenses in the league and their defense is No. 2 in the conference and we are No. 6."
Louisiana-Lafayette boasts the top two rushers in the league in Tyrell Fenroy and Michael Desormeaux. Arkansas State's Derek Lawson and Reggie Arnold are Nos. 3 and 4.
Fenroy is also the Sun Belt's all-time leader in rushing and needs 158 yards to become the seventh player in NCAA history with four 1,000-yard seasons.
Louisiana-Lafayette has scored at least 37 points in each of its last four games although the Ragin Cajuns have allowed at least 27 in each of those games as well.
"We have a lot of young guys and injuries that have hampered the team especially at linebacker," Bustle said. "We need to raise our play around the linebacking corps."
Arkansas State combines an impressive running game with the passing of Corey Leonard. The junior quarterback has thrown 10 touchdown passes and two interceptions on the season.
The Red Wolves have enjoyed a plus-10 turnover differential, easily the best in the Sun Belt and among the best in the nation.
"I told the kids Saturday night to start getting ready," Bustle said. "They do a great job turning opponents over and don't turn the ball over themselves. We need to control the turnovers and watch the penalties."
Both teams have played well against tough competition. Arkansas State beat Texas A&M to start the season, and Louisiana-Lafayette lost to Illinois and Kansas State by a combined 11 points.
