SMU at Arkansas State 8/31/19 - College Football Betting Odds & Picks
SMU Mustangs vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves
NCAAF: 7:00 PM EST
Aug. 31, 2019
TV: ESPN+
Latest Odds : ARST -3 Total 58.5
The SMU Mustangs are set to visit Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Arkansas for a Week 1 clash against the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The SMU Mustangs are looking to rebound for their 2018 season as they went 5-7, and they will have to replace some key talent on offense. QB Ben Hicks moved on from the program after contributing 2582 passing yards, 19 TDs, and 7 interceptions last season. Texas transfer Shane Buechele is the favorite to take over at the QB position. SMU will return one of the best WRs in the AAC as James Proche contributed 1199 receiving yards and 12 TDs.
The SMU Mustangs will need to improve on the defensive side of the ball if they want to see an improvement in their record as they finished the 2018 season ranked 110th in points allowed. The Mustangs will return their leading tackler from a season ago as Richard Moore contributed 92 tackles, 13.5 TFL, and 5 sacks. The Mustangs will also return a key piece in the secondary as Patrick Nelson is looking to expand off his 2018 season where he pitched in 65 tackles and 2 interceptions.
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The Arkansas State Red Wolves are looking to continue their success from the 2018 season as they went 8-5 with an appearance in the Arizona Bowl, but they will need to replace some key starters on the offensive side of the ball. The Red Wolves will have to replace QB Justice Hansen who pitched in 3447 passing yards, 27 TDs, and 9 interceptions during the 2018 season. Whoever takes the starting QB reps will have a big-time target in WR Kirk Merritt who contributed 1005 receiving yards and 7 TDs last season.
The Arkansas State Red Wolves were decent on the defensive side of the ball during the 2018 season as they finished the year ranked 54th in points allowed. The Red Wolves will return their leading tackler from a season ago as Darreon Jackson contributed 90 tackles and 6.5 TFL from the secondary. Joining Jackson in the secondary is their interception leader from the 2018 season in CB Jerry Jacobs as he pitched in 4 interceptions.
Recent Betting Trends:
Mustangs are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Under is 4-1 in Mustangs last 5 games on fieldturf.
Red Wolves are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games.
Under is 4-0 in Red Wolves last 4 vs. AAC.
Free Betting Pick: SMU Mustangs +3
The SMU Mustangs should get back to bowl eligible this season as they return a ton of talent, and they even made a big addition by adding former Texas QB Shane Buechele who should jumpstart the offense. While the Arkansas State Red Wolves have consistently been a contender in the Sun Belt, I am concerned for how they will replace their program changing QB in Justice Hansen and that will be felt here. The Mustangs should be much better on the defensive side of the field as they return some key pieces, and this will be the perfect game to redeem themselves as they will get a brand new starting QB. Final Score Prediction, SMU Mustangs win and cover ATS 31-28.