Our good friends over at The Weather Channel have projected the weather to be Sunny and 62 degrees for the game this Saturday in Conway, Arkansas.

About those Redbirds:

Illinois State finished 6-5 (4-4) in the MVFC this year, good enough for 4th place. After a rough start to the season which saw Illinois State experience the euphoric high of beating Northwestern 9-7, Illinois State lose 4 consecutive games to Eastern Illinois, Indiana State, North Dakota State and Youngstown State. Sitting at 2-4 all seemed lost, but the Redbirds put together wins in 4 of their last 5 MVFC games, knocking off then #7 South Dakota State, and then #11 Western Illinois. After sweating out the final week of the season during a BYE, thanks in large part to the Indiana State game being moved up. The Redbirds earned their 3rd consecutive NCAA FCS Football playoff berth in a row, and 4th in the last 5 years under Head Coach Brock Spack.

Illinois State is lead by Sophomore (RS) - Jake Kolbe who started 10 games this year. 212/336, 2495 yards, 20 TD/7 INT. Illinois State has primarily been RB by committee this season with at least 5 RB's with over 20 carries, but none with 100 total on the season. Speedy scatback Jamal Towns 5' 6" 175 is averaging 6.0 yards per carry is the leader with 94/566 yards, 2 TD. When the lightweight Towns is out of the game he gives way to 6'0 ' 225 pound DeMarco Corbin, 82/402, 3 TD's (4.9 yards/carry), joining them are Sophomore George Moriera - 42/287, 3 TD (6.7 yards/carry), and true Freshman James Robinson 62/328 , 2 TD (5.3 yards/carry).

The receiving corp is lead by Anthony Warrum 57 rec, 956 yards, 9 TDs - (16.8 yds/rec). Spencer Schnell 54/434/1 has emerged as a great possession receiver for the Redbirds after coming into his own this year averaging 8.0 yards a reception. Christian Gibbs 48/530/5 TD has become a great compliment to the speedster Warrum and is averaging 11.5 yards a reception. The receiving corp is rounded out by Anthony Fowler - 27/353/1 TD (9.1 yards/rec)

The Redbird DEF has had it's ups and downs this year, but seemed to hit it's stride at just the right time. This DEF group doesn't have the standout player or players of the National Championship runner-up a few years ago, but does have at least 12 players with 20 or more tackles, and at least 9 players with 50 tackles or more on the season. The anchor of the unit is Alejandro Rivera (88 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INT) and transfer B.J. Bello (Illinois) (67 tackles, 9 TFL, 6 sacks, 2 FF)

The much maligned secondary which was totally shredded last year vs. Richmond has bounced back this year with 8 INT. Alex Koucor leads the secondary and is second on the team with 85 tackles and 1 INT. Drashane Glass leads the secondary with 3 INT, LaDarious Newbold (transfer from Texas Tech) is second with 2 INT, including a 95 yard pick six against SDSU this year.

Don't know if there are any Central Arkansas fans onboard, but would love to get a good write-up of your team.