Among the Week One matchups that will garner plenty of attention features the debut of a head coach that was one of the oddest and unique hires last December. Herm Edwards emerged out of nowhere to take over as head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils. Edwards takes over from Todd Graham despite the fact that Graham had the support of most of the fan base. Yet its also true Graham’s last three seasons were quite underwhelming. Meanwhile the University of Texas San Antonio Roadrunners continue to struggle as a relatively newer program. Head coach Frank Wilson has split his first 24 games but did lead the program to its first bowl game in 2016. UTSA must try to jumpstart and anemic offense that wasted the fine efforts of its defense last year.
This contest in Week 1 will go down Saturday, September 1, 2018, at 10:30 p.m. ET at Sun Devil Stadium. The game can be seen on FS1.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
UTSA +19
Arizona State -19
Over/Under 54
Odds Analysis
There has been plenty of early betting activity on Arizona State after the Sun Devils opened as 17-point favorites. The two-point move is largely based on UTSA’s well known problems with offense and the theory that they will not be able to score enough to bring home the bacon.
ASU Gambles on Wild Card Edwards
After Todd Graham peaked with back to back 10-win seasons in 2013 and 2014 the Sun Devils dropped noticeably. In fact, Graham’s final three seasons saw records of 6-7, 5-7, and 7-6. So, a coaching change was not much of a shocker. What did stun everyone was the hiring of the 64-year-old Edwards. The only college coaching experience he ever had was as defensive backs coach of San Jose State from 1987-89. And Edwards last head coaching gig ended in 2008 with the Kansas City Chiefs. Thus, his hiring was met with a lot of skepticism. There is the contrarian theory of his arrival being so out of the box that it may just work. Edwards is tight with ASU athletic director Ray Anderson. The duo’s fate is certainly tied together after such a wild card hire.
Matchup to Watch
One asset that Graham left behind for Edwards is a prolific offense that will put points on the board. The trio of quarterback Manny Wilkins, receiver N’Keal Harry, and running back Eno Benjamin will keep defenses guessing all season. Edwards will maintain the basic spread formation that the players have already played under. Edwards has charged offensive coordinator Rob Likens with implementing more NFL style quick routes and passes to the running backs. This offense will be challenged by a UTSA defense that ranked fifth in the nation for yards allowed last year. Counter to that is UTSA’s rebuilding offense going up against a weak Arizona State defense that must cut down on big plays allowed. Problematic is the fact that UTSA may not have enough weaponry to take advantage.
Key Trends
UTSA has been a subpar road dog with just four payouts in their last 11 games in that role. Just two of their last seven games as road pups have gone over the total. Conversely Arizona State has provided reliable betting value as a home chalk with five covers in their last seven games as favorites at Sun Devil Stadium. Three of their last five as home favorites have gone under the total. Additionally, Arizona State has covered six of their last ten when laying 17 or more points at home with seven of their last eight in that role going under the total.
Free ATS Pick
Edwards has the opportunity to shut up the critics with a statement making big win. His offensive firepower is clearly superior to UTSA and should be the difference maker in this opener.
College Football Odds: Arizona State 38, UTSA 10
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