College Football

Week 1: Arkansas State vs Grambling State 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

Grambling State Tigers (0-0) vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves (0-0)
September 3, 2022 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Arkansas State Red Wolves -27 / Grambling State Tigers +27; Over/Under: -
(Get latest betting odds)

The Arkansas State Red Wolves and Grambling Tigers square off Saturday in week 1 of college football action at Centennial Bank Stadium. The Grambling Tigers are coming off a 4 win season and now enter the Hue Jackson era. The Arkansas State Red Wolves won 2 games last year and enter year 2 under coach Butch Jones.

The Grambling Tigers averaged 17.1 points and 236.7 yards per game last season. Grambling allowed an average of 27.6 points and 372.5 yards per game last season. Grambling will have to find a reliable quarterback, as none of the players who had a pass attempt last year are returning. Greg White and Donald Johnson are a returning receiving duo that combined 600 yards and 3 touchdowns, while CJ Russell led the Tigers with 400 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Joshua Quiett returns after leading Grambling with 48 tackles, Sundiata Anderson had 5.5 sacks and Quincy Mitchell had 2 interceptions. The Grambling Tigers are sure to have some growing pains offensively with a lot of new faces, but their defense returns key players in all 3 areas of the field. With its leading tackler, sack leader and defensive back playmaker, Grambling should be much improved on defense this season, which is a step in the right direction. 

The Arkansas State Red Wolves averaged 25.3 points and 396.3 yards per game last season. Arkansas State allowed an average of 38.6 points and 505.9 yards per game last season. James Blackman returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,300 yards, 8 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Te’Vailance Hunt and Jeff Foreman are a returning receiving duo that combined 1,300 yards and 8 touchdowns, while Johnnie Lang was second on the Red Wolves with 263 rushing yards. Defensively, Kivon Bennett returns after 58 tackles, Thurman Heathers had 1.5 sacks and Samy Johnson led Arkansas State with 3 interceptions. Arkansas State should be respectable offensively thanks to the wide receiver depth. The Red Wolves say goodbye to their top-3 tacklers from last season, but they were one of the worst defensive groups in the country, so that may not be a bad thing. Either way, Arkansas State needs to see progress in the second year under coach Jones.

The Grambling State Tigers aren’t a great FCS program and the offense has holes, but their defense has a chance to keep them in this game and be somewhat competitive. The Arkansas State Red Wolves aren’t exactly world beaters, and they were horrible defensively a year ago. Also, this is a possible look ahead for Arkansas State, with Ohio State on deck next week. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Red Wolves get up big and take their foot off the gas. I’ll take a stab with Grambling State and the free points.

Randy Chambers's Free Pick: Grambling State Tigers +27

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Randy Chambers

Randy has covered sports betting since 2014 and writes about everything from NFL to WNBA. Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter.

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