UTSA vs. Arizona State Prediction
Is Arizona State set to put on an impressive showing in its debut with a new head coach when the Sun Devils host Texas-San Antonio tonight at 10:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
Saturday, September 1, 2018
10:30PM ET – Sun Devil Stadium
TV: FS1
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Arizona State is the favorite in this game, as the Sun Devils are getting odds of -17.5 points against the Roadrunners. The over/under total is listed at 54.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 72 percent going on Arizona State at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
ASU welcomes Herm Edwards
Arizona State starts a new era tonight, as the program let go of coach Todd Graham after a 7-6 record in 2017. The Sun Devils made a surprising hire, going with former NFL coach Herm Edwards to replace Graham. Edwards has never been a collegiate head coach. He takes over a team that was 7-6 against the spread last year and 7-6 with the under.
Edwards was likely hired to fix the ASU defense, which allowed 32.8 points per game last year. The Sun Devils scored 31.8 per game on offense. Edwards has a veteran QB to build with in Manny Wilkins. He threw for 3,270 yards and 20 touchdowns last year and had eight interceptions. They also return their top receiver in N’Keal Harry, who caught 82 passes for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns. The key will be for ASU to find some new backs as they lose their top two rushers from 2017.
UTSA looks to play spoiler
Texas-San Antonio is looking to play spoiler for Edwards’ debut tonight after posting a 6-5 record in 2017. The program enters its third year under coach Frank Wilson. The Roadrunners were just 3-8 against the spread in 2017 and 8-3 with the under.
UTSA struggled on offense last season, averaging just 23.5 points per game. Defensively, they were very strong, allowing just 17.2 points per contest. UTSA has a new starting QB in JUCO transfer Cordale Grundy. He takes over an offense that desperately needs to improve. While UTSA returns its leading rusher in Jalen Rhodes, he had just 659 yards and five scores.
College Football Betting Trends
Arizona State
Arizona State has covered in 12 of its last 17 home games, but the Sun Devils have failed to cover in five straight non-conference games.
Texas-San Antonio
UTSA has covered the spread in four straight against Pac-12 opponents and in five of their last six non-conference games.
Prediction:
Normally Arizona State is a team that should have the speed and athleticism to handle UTSA without much difficulty. However, a coaching and scheme change can tend to lead to some early struggles. A coaching change of this magnitude really has be puzzled as to what to expect from ASU. Edwards has a very different approach to football than Graham or many Pac-12 coaches. I could see the Sun Devils struggled on offense against a pretty good defensive team in UTSA. I think this game could be close and ugly.
College Football Prediction: Texas-San Antonio +17.5