Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl Pick
While the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl between Arkansas State and Nevada might not be the most intriguing matchup for bowl fans, it still offers plenty of value for bettors. Will the Wolf Pack cover the spread as a small favorite?
Game Snapshot
245 Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. 246 Nevada Wolf Pack
1:15 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 29, 2018
Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Wolf Pack are 1-point favorites to beat the Red Wolves. The total, meanwhile, sits at 56 points. As of this writing, 64% of the public betting tickets wagered on this matchup are on the Wolf Pack.
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Arkansas State redshirt sophomore TE Javonis Isaac (thigh) is listed as the starting tight end on their depth chart for the Arizona Bowl. Isaac (6’2/248) was believed to be out for the year with a thigh bruise, but it’s certainly possible that he’s healed enough to give it ago against the Wolf Pack in Arizona. Keep in mind that being listed at the top of a depth chart means nothing, but this is certainly a promising sign.
Nevada Wolf Pack
Nevada senior QB Ty Gangi completed 27-of-45 passes for 295 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in Saturday’s 34-29 loss to UNLV. Nevada was on the bad side of UNLV’s biggest comeback in its school’s history after chipping away at an early Nevada 23-0 lead. For Gangi, it was debatably his worth performance of the season, as it was the first time he threw for more than one interception against a non-Power 5 school. Gangi will get an opportunity to make up for Saturday’s performance in a bowl game with Nevada finishing the regular season with a 7-5 record.
Betting Trends
Arkansas State
The under is 4-0 in the Red Wolves’ last four games overall.
Nevada
The under is 5-1 in the Wolf Pack’s last six bowl games.
Prediction
There isn’t much separating these two teams. Both have strong passing attacks, both have their strengths defensively, and both are led by veteran quarterbacks. There basically aren’t any statistical advantages in this matchup. What the game comes down to for me is that the Red Wolves are 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games facing a team with a winning record and the Wolf Pack have been solid bounce backing after losses, covering in five of their last six situations. After blowing a 23-0 halftime lead to UNLV in their final regular season game, I like the Wolf Pack to rebound today in a game that could come down to the final minutes.
Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl Prediction: Nevada -1