.jpg "College Football ATS Picks – San Diego State at Arizona State")
The Arizona State Sun Devils are looking for a bounce-back season. Arizona State missed the postseason for the first time under Todd Graham last year after free-falling at the end of 2016. The Sun Devils started 5-1, but then lost six straight to close out the year. Now, before traveling to face Texas Tech in what’s sure to be a shootout, the Sun Devils must face a team that plays a very different style of offense in the San Diego State Aztecs.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 2 game is set for Saturday, September 9, 2017, at 11 p.m.
ET at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. This game will be broadcast on PAC 12 Network.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
San Diego State +3.5
Arizona State -3.5
Over/Under 55
Odds Analysis
San Diego State failed to get the cover against UC Davis last week. The Aztecs took a 38-3 lead into the fourth quarter, but then took their foot off the gas. That gave UC Davis the opportunity it needed to rally and pick up the cover.
The Sun Devils also took their foot off the gas pedal in their game against New Mexico State, but that almost cost them the win entirely. The Aggies responded with three straight touchdowns over the final 10 minutes of action and handily covered the number.
Matchup to Watch
Now that Donnel Pumphrey is in the NFL, the Aztecs have to find another way to move the ball on offense. Christian Chapman had a solid year in 2016 and will look to continue to be a good distributor of the ball in 2017. Chapman was able to easily move the ball on this Aggies defense and now gets to face an Arizona State secondary that allowed NMSU QB Tyler Rogers to have a big game.
If San Diego State keeps it on the ground, Rashaad Penny will go to work. Penny ran for 197 yards and two touchdowns against UC Davis and averaged 9.4 yards per carry in that game.
The Sun Devils defense isn’t great. They are very young in the secondary and only have marginal talent up front. This defense was gashed for over five yards a carry against New Mexico State, a school not known for its run game.
Player to Watch
Manny Wilkins ended up beating out Blake Barnett to be Arizona State’s quarterback for the season opener and performed well. He completed over 80 percent of his passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns on the day, but was a non-factor in the running game.
That’s a bit concerning because Wilkins is supposed to be used for his dual-threat ability. He managed just six carries on 13 yards against New Mexico State, and while some of those were sacks, sometimes he just held onto the ball too long.
Don’t be surprised if Barnett gets a real shot this season and maybe in this game. He is a solid passer and if Wilkins can’t use his legs to make plays, Barrett is the better option.
Free ATS Pick
There are few mid major coaches as solid as Rocky Long. Long turned New Mexico from a doormat into a winner and has helped San Diego State set a high bar for success. He has went to a bowl in each one of his six seasons in charge of the Aztecs and would love to knock off a PAC 12 team for the second year in a row.
Over is a good play here. The Aztecs will find a way to move the ball in one way or another, while the Sun Devils look to counterpunch the whole game. That will lead to a decent amount of points and push the game over with a spread this low.
College Football Odds: Sun Devils 38, Aztecs 34
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