For the first time in 17 years, the Red Wolves and Bulldogs will lock horns on the gridiron. Arkansas State will be aiming to keep its eight game win streak alive while the Bulldogs will aim to snap a two game skid against the closing pointspread.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arkansas State Red Wolves +1
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs -1
Over/Under 66
ODDS ANALYSIS
Playing much closer to home, the Bulldogs get the home state edge. As a result, the oddsmakers opened the spread with the Bulldogs as the slight favorites and the betting public has driven it up to -2.5 since.
With the spread growing, so did the total with it now up a point and a half to 67.5.
KEY MISMATCH
The big mismatch for both teams will be defensively as each offense is rather potent.
The Red Wolves will lean on quarterback Fredi Knighten who has been very consistent all year and boasts an outstanding passer rating thanks to a high completion percentage.
The talented and poised field general has plenty of help at the receiver position, too, but the running game is the real highlight of this offense. As a team, the Red Wolves are averaging 226.9 yards per game thanks to the three-headed monster of Michael Gordon, Warren Ward and Johnston White.
The trio has combined for 27 touchdowns with White getting most of the goal line work.
Each of the three are also averaging at least 6.1 yards per carry. To add to the depth on the ground, Knighten has run a fair amount, too, with 125 carries. He’s only averaging 2.9 yards per carry, but is a threat in short-down situations to push the ball a few yards and move the chains.
Defensively, the Bulldogs rank No. 63 nationwide with 26.8 PPG allowed. They’re also amongst the worst teams against the pass, allowing 265.8 passing yards per game.
Offensively, however, Louisiana Tech puts points on the board evidenced by its 36.8 PPG average. The rushing game is respectable with 154.1 rushing yards per game. Running back Kenneth Dixon should pull attention from the passing game given his 5.5 yards per carry and 17 touchdowns, but the story of the offense is quarterback Jeff Driskel.
The Florida transfer will need to take advantage of Dixon stealing some attention. He’s put together a fine season with 3,568 yards and 24 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. He did, however, throw three interceptions in his last game against Southern Mississippi.
KEY STAT
.92 – This is the Red Wolves’ average turnover margin per game in 2015, tied for the No. 11 best mark in the nation. Arkansas State has given the ball away a number of times with 10 fumbles and 13 interceptions, but defensively, they’ve been very strong, forcing eight fumbles and picking off the opposition 26 times.
On the other side of the gridiron, Louisiana Tech has turned the ball over more this season than the number of times it’s forced a turnover. With 11 interceptions and 10 fumbles, the Bulldogs have had 21 turnovers, but have forced only 19.
BETTING ANGLE
Coming into action, the Red Wolves will have a bit of a distraction that could play a role in the game.
Defensive end Chris Stone and receiver Tyler Trosin were both arrested on drug charges a week ago. That’ll keep them out of the game.
The loss of Trosin is minimal since Knighten still has Tres Houston and Dijon Paschal who’ve combined for 1,092 yards and 13 of Knighten’s 19 passing touchdowns.
The loss of Stone could play a bigger role as the Bulldogs have a strong offense of their own.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Arkansas State has been very good over the last couple months, scoring at least 40-points in five straight games and at least 52 in its last three. Louisiana Tech has had a hiccup or two, but the Bulldogs are another strong offense.
As a result, look for a high-octane shootout between these teams.
Overall, the Red Wolves are just a bit more consistent and are trending in the right direction. While the arrests are concerning, head coach Blake Anderson should be able to find ample enough pieces to fill the holes.
Look for Knighten to put up another strong game with the strong and diverse running game able to run all over the Bulldogs.
Arkansas State 40, Louisiana Tech 35
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Click here and start wagering today! The matchup between the Arkansas State Red Wolves and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will take place Saturday, December 19, 2015, at 9 p.m. ET at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
