Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Wyoming Cowboys College Football Pick
Date: Saturday, August 31st
Time: 10:30 PM EST
Location: Mountain America Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Betting Line: Arizona State -7, Total 46.5 Mybookie and BetAnySports
Arizona State Outlook:
The Sun Devils enter the 2024 season facing an uphill battle after a disappointing 3-9 record in coach Kenny Dillingham’s first year. With a limited number of returning starters and a move to the challenging Big 12 conference, achieving a bowl berth will be a significant challenge. The schedule offers no easy wins, and the Sun Devils will need to improve dramatically to be competitive.
Strengths:
- Home Field Advantage: The Sun Devils will have the advantage of playing at home in their season opener.
- New Energy: While last season was challenging, a new season brings new energy and the opportunity to prove themselves.
Concerns:
- Lack of Experience: The Sun Devils have a relatively inexperienced roster, especially on defense.
- Challenging Schedule: The move to the Big 12 and a tough schedule will test the Sun Devils’ resilience.
Wyoming Outlook:
The Cowboys come into the season riding high after a 9-4 finish and an Arizona Bowl victory. They have a history of winning under coach Craig Bohl, and while he has retired, the new coaching staff is largely composed of familiar faces, promoting stability and continuity. The Cowboys appear well-equipped to continue their winning ways.
Strengths:
- Experienced Coaching Staff: The Cowboys have a stable coaching staff with familiar faces, which can foster a smooth transition.
- Proven Talent: Wyoming has a solid core of returning players and has effectively utilized the transfer portal to fill key positions.
Concerns:
- New Head Coach: While the coaching staff is familiar, a new head coach can still bring some adjustments and challenges.
- Road Game: Playing on the road in a season opener can always be a challenge, even for a seasoned team.
Prediction:
Our model predicts a 19-19 tie, indicating a closely contested game. Given Wyoming’s proven track record, experienced coaching staff, and effective use of the transfer portal, they seem well-positioned to cover the spread and potentially pull off an upset.
Pick: Wyoming +7
The Cowboys’ experience and recent success make them a strong contender to not only cover the spread but potentially win the game outright. While Arizona State has the home-field advantage, Wyoming’s stability and talent make them a formidable opponent.
Our model has always performed best when picking underdogs in this price range to perform well. While we’re using data from last season, Wyoming returns a good number of returning starters and seems to be in better shape overall than the Sun Devils.
We look for Wyoming to at the very least hang tough here.