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The Fresno State Bulldogs take on the Arizona State Sun Devils meet for the first time since 1941 in the 27th edition of the Las Vegas Bowl at the Sam Boyd Stadium on December 15, 2018.
Eligible For Another Bowl Game
Arizona State finished with a record of 7-5 for the second straight season, making it eligible for a bowl-game once again. The Sun Devils finished the season strong, going 4-1 in their last five games. Sophomore running back Eno Benjamin finished third in the nation with 1,524 rushing yards on the season and scored a total of 15 touchdowns which was good for 8th in FBS. Senior quarterback Manny Wilkins posted his highest quarterback rating a ever this season, thew a career low four interceptions and posted a career high in yards per pass attempt. However, the Sun Devils will be without star receiver N’Keal Harry who has decided to skip this game after signing with an agent to apply for the next NFL Draft. The junior receiver caught 73 passes for a total of 1,088 yards with 9 receiving touchdowns to lead his team in all categories.
Arizona State vs Fresno State 12/15/18
Moneyline Odds: Arizona State +175, Fresno State -205
Spread Odds: Arizona State +4.5 (-105), Fresno State -4.5 (-115)
Over/Under Odds: Over 53.5 -110, Under 53.5 -110
Odds from betonline.ag as of 12/13/18
First MWC Title Since 2013
Fresno State finished their campaign with an 11-2 record and won its first MWC title since 2013 by defeating Boise State 19-16. Starting quarterback Marcus McMaryion passed for a total of 3,451 yards with 25 scores and just three pickoffs while completing 69.8% of his passes. The senior from California also rushed for 253 yards while scoring another seven touchdowns on the ground. However, it was the Bulldogs’ defense which stood out the entire season as the team ranked second in the nation in points allowed at 13.7 per game. Their defense was also tied for fifth in interceptions forced at 17 on the season. The defense is led by linebacker Jeff Allison who finished 19th in the nation with 120 combined tackles.
Who Wins?
I like Fresno State here because the Bulldogs finished with a record of 11-2 and were 9-4 ATS on the season. The Sun Devils will be without their top receive in Harry, making it more difficult for their passing game to score points, especially against the 2nd best scoring defense in the nation. On the other hand, McMaryion will pick apart Arizona State’s secondary which hasn’t been elite all-season long.
The Sun Devils are 4-9 SU and ATS in their last 13 bowl games played and they have lost by an average margin of 16 points. Arizona State is also just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 versus the MWC. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last five games played in December and are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games. Fresno State is also 16-5 ATS against teams with winning records. Meanwhile, the under is 5-0 in Fresno State’s last five game played. With the second best scoring defense in college football, the under is 9-2-1 on their season.
Prediction: Fresno State -4.5 and under 53.5
Here are our picks for the other Bowl games for December 15th:
Cure Bowl
Tulane vs UL Lafayette
Moneyline Odds: Tulane -167, UL Lafayette +147
Spread Odds: Tulane -3.5 (-110), UL Lafayette +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under Odds: Over 58.5 -110, Under 58.5 -110
Both teams have momentum heading to the Cure Bowl. ULL finished their season with three consecutive wins before giving Appalachian State a headache in the Sun Belt championship game before eventually losing 19-30. Tulane won four out of its last five games including a dramatic win over Navy in their season finale to finish 6-6 on the season and earn their slot in the Cure Bowl. The Ragin’ Cajuns though are 4-1 ATS in five bowl games and were 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games played. The Green Wave were 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The total has gone under in Tulane’s last six games with a combined score of 51.8 points per game. The under is also 4-1 in ULL’s last five games played and the under has also hit in 7 of the last 8 December games of the Ragin Cajuns’.
Prediction: UL Lafayette +3.5 and Under 58.5
New Mexico Bowl
North Texas vs Utah State
Moneyline Odds: North Texas +245, Utah State -290
Spread Odds: North Texas + 8 (-110), Utah State -8 (-110)
Over/Under Odds: Over 68 -110, Under 68 -110
This one was tough to pick because these teams have never played before and have no common opponents to compare. But Utah State is the 3rd best scoring team in the nation and were 9-3 ATS this season. Meanwhile, North Texas closed the season at 0-5 ATS in their last five games. When you take a look at both their schedules, Utah State also had the more tougher one so that for me only make me lean more toward the Aggies.
Utah State scores 47.2 points per game and the over is a remarkable 23-9 in their last 32 games played. North Texas isn’t to be outdone as the Mean Green were 21st in FBS scoring at 36 points per game.
Prediction: Utah State -8 and over 68
Camellia Bowl
Eastern Michigan vs Georgia Southern
Moneyline Odds: Eastern Michigan +115, Georgia Southern -135
Spread Odds: Eastern Michigan +2.5 (-110), Georgia Southern -2.5 (-110)
Over/Under Odds: Over 47.5 -110, Under 47.5 -110
For sure the winner of this game are the Eagles because both schools are named Eagles. But seriously, by looking at their records, this one is an easy pick to make. Eastern Michigan is 7-5 while Georgia Southern is 9-3. Eastern Michigan’s offense has been very inconsistent because of its red zone and third down troubles. On the other hand, Georgia Southern’s offense ranked in the Top 50 in the nation and was for sure more consistent. With its triple option offense, the Eagles of Georgia Southern are going to control possession and keep the ball out of Eastern Michigan’s hands. Georgia Southern in 9-3 ATS this season.
I don’t see how the teams reach a 48 total here. For all its offensive woes, Eastern Michigan has a good defense that will slow down Georgia Southern’s offense. Meanwhile, Georgia Southern’s option offense is going to eat up the clock.
Prediction: Georgia Southern -2.5 and under 47.5
New Orleans Bowl
Middle Tennessee vs Appalachian State
Moneyline Odds: Middle Tennessee +205, Appalachian State -245
Spread Odds: Middle Tennessee +6.5 (-110), Appalachian State -6.5 (-110)
Over/Under Odds: Over 50 -110, Under 50 -110
Appalachian State won three consecutive bowl games under Scott Satterfield but he made the move to Louisville last week and won’t be coaching this game. Interim coach Mark Ivey is 0-0 in bowl games and this could have an effect in the outcome of this bowl game. But Ivey has inherited an experienced team who knows what it takes to win bowl games. The Mountaineers have a top rated defense and a potent running game which will grind out a win for them here.
In its 17 year history, the teams that competed in the New Orleans Bowl have combined for an average of 56.0 points per game. Appalachian State also averages 36.7 points per game while Middle Tennessee scored 29.2 points per outing.
Prediction: Over 50 points and Appalachian State -6.5
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