TODAY’S GAME

ARKANSAS STATE (7-5) VS. BALL STATE (10-2)TIME/TV 8 p.m. Central/ESPN WHERE Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala.

LINE Ball State by 7 SERIES First meeting.

KEY MATCHUP Ball State’s productive passing offense has been on a roll, helping the Cardinals score at least 40 points in the past four games, including 55 in the team’s last outing against Miami (Ohio). Arkansas State defensive linemen Ryan Carrethers and Chris Stone, who have a combined 17½ tackles for a loss this season, will try to get Ball State’s offense out of rhythm.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Arkansas State RB Michael Gordon leads a Red Wolves running game that is balanced and effective. He has a team-high 717 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, but QB Adam Kennedy (514 yards) and RB David Oku (511 yards) are also prominent options. Ball State WR Willie Snead has had a huge year, catching 97 passes for 1,429 yards and 14 touchdowns. It’s tough for defenses to key on Snead because teammate Jordan Williams has caught 68 passes for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns.

NOTEWORTHY John Thompson will be Arkansas State’s interim head coach in the bowl game for the second consecutive season. The Red Wolves recently hired Blake Anderson as Bryan Harsin’s replacement. Harsin left for Boise State. Anderson, who was offensive coordinator at North Carolina, will attend today’s game but won’t coach. … Arkansas State is playing in the GoDaddy Bowl for a third consecutive season. … The weather will be cold tonight in Mobile, with temperatures possibly dipping into the upper 20s. … Ball State QB Keith Wenning has thrown for 3,933 yards and 34 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions this season. … Ball State’s defense has forced 30 turnovers, including 18 fumbles and 12 interceptions. … The Cardinals need to score nine points today to break the school’s single-season record. The record of 489 was set in 2008.