It’s about that time when every person in Jonesboro starts looking at the calendar. Honestly, if you’ve lived around here long enough, you know the vibe. The humidity starts to dip just a tiny bit, the grass at Centennial Bank Stadium looks a little too green to be real, and everyone is suddenly an expert on Sun Belt depth charts. But looking at the arkansas state football schedule, things feel kind of different lately.
We aren't just talking about a team trying to scrape together six wins for a bowl bid anymore. Butch Jones has been in the building since 2021, and after that wild 8-5 run in 2024—complete with a 68 Ventures Bowl trophy—the expectations have shifted.
People used to look at the non-conference slate and just hope for no injuries. Now? They’re looking for upsets.
Breaking Down the Arkansas State Football Schedule
The 2025 season was a massive rollercoaster. If you followed it, you remember the heartbreak. A close 16-24 loss to Iowa State at home showed this team can hang with the big boys, and that 30-29 thriller against App State in Boone? Pure chaos. But we’re looking ahead now.
When you dig into the upcoming arkansas state football schedule, you see a pattern. The Red Wolves aren't shying away from anybody. We’re seeing a mix of regional rivalries and "paycheck games" that actually look winnable if the secondary holds up.
The Non-Conference Gauntlet
- Memphis (Sept. 5): This is the one everyone circles. It’s a short drive, a long history, and a ton of bad blood. Playing at Memphis is never easy, but it's the kind of game that defines a season early.
- West Georgia (Sept. 12): This is your classic "get right" game. Home opener energy. It’s the game where you hope to see the backup quarterback get some snaps in the fourth quarter.
- TCU (Sept. 19): A trip to Fort Worth. This is the heavy lifter on the schedule. TCU is a different animal, but after A-State gave Michigan a scare a couple of years back (only losing 18-28 in Ann Arbor), nobody is completely counting them out.
- Kennesaw State (Sept. 26): A return game from the previous home-and-home. It’s a dangerous game because Kennesaw plays that gritty style that can catch you sleeping.
Why the Sun Belt West is a Meat Grinder
The Sun Belt isn't the "Fun Belt" just because it's a catchy nickname. It’s because the parity is exhausting. On any given Tuesday or Saturday, the team at the bottom can absolutely wreck the season of the team at the top.
Take the 2025 stats for example. Arkansas State was putting up decent points, but they were also giving up way too many yards on the ground. When you have to face teams like Louisiana and Texas State back-to-back, those defensive holes get exposed fast.
Basically, the arkansas state football schedule in the conference usually boils down to three key stretches. You've got the midweek "MACtion" style games that ESPN loves, the brutal November road trips, and the season-ending rivalry games.
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Key Conference Matchups to Watch
- The ULM Battle: It’s always personal. Whether it’s in Jonesboro or Monroe, these two teams play like they’re fighting for the last gallon of water on earth.
- Louisiana (Ragin' Cajuns): This has become a measuring stick game. If you can beat the Cajuns, you’re a contender. If you can't, you're just a pretender in the West division.
- Texas State: Ever since GJ Kinne took over there, their offense has been a nightmare to track. Last time, A-State barely escaped with a 31-30 win. Expect more of the same.
The Butch Jones Effect and Recruiting
You can't talk about the schedule without talking about the guy wearing the headset. Butch Jones has hit the 100-career-win milestone, which puts him in some pretty elite company among active FBS coaches. He’s one of the few who has taken four different programs to multiple bowl games.
That experience matters when the arkansas state football schedule gets tough.
He’s been leaning heavily on Jaylen Raynor. If you haven’t watched Raynor play, you’re missing out. He was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year for a reason. He’s the kind of dual-threat kid that makes a defensive coordinator stay up late. In 2024, he threw for over 2,700 yards and ran for nearly 400. That’s the engine. If he stays healthy, the 2026 schedule looks a lot more manageable.
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What Most People Get Wrong About A-State Football
A lot of national pundits see Arkansas State as just another Group of Five school that occasionally pops up in a December bowl game. They’re wrong.
The investment in Jonesboro is real. The "Centennial Bank Stadium" atmosphere is legitimately loud. When they played Arkansas in Little Rock in 2025, even though they lost 56-14, the fan turnout proved that this state isn't just about the Razorbacks anymore. There’s a legitimate second power rising in the Delta.
The schedule reflects that growth. You don't schedule TCU or Iowa State if you’re trying to hide. You do it to prove you belong.
How to Plan Your Season
If you're planning on catching a game, here’s the deal. The home games are the move. Jonesboro on a Saturday night is underrated.
- Tickets: They usually go on sale in the spring. Don't wait until August, especially for the Memphis or regional rival games.
- Tailgating: Get there early. The "Pines" area is where the real action is.
- Travel: If you’re going to the TCU game, book your hotel in Fort Worth early.
The arkansas state football schedule isn't just a list of dates. It's the heartbeat of the city for four months. Whether they're playing a powerhouse or a conference rival, the Red Wolves are at a point where every game feels like it actually matters for the program's trajectory.
To get the most out of this season, start by securing your season tickets through the A-State Athletics portal before the early-bird pricing ends. Keep an eye on the official Sun Belt app for kickoff time announcements, which usually drop 12 days before each game. If you're traveling for road games, specifically the Memphis or TCU matchups, look for "Red Wolf Rally" locations to connect with the traveling fan base.