The Fresno State Bulldogs and the Arizona State Sun Devils meet in week 3 college football action from Mountain America Stadium on Saturday night.

Fresno State Escapes Eastern Washington

The Fresno State Bulldogs narrowly made it to 2-0 on the year, taking out Eastern Washington in their last game by a final score of 34-31 in double overtime. Mikey Keene has thrown for 599 yards, 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 65.1% passing while Elijah Gilliam has a team-high 179 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Erik Brooks leads Fresno State’s receiving group with 17 catches for 265 yards and 3 touchdowns while Jaelen Gill has 105 receiving yards and a touchdown. On defense, Morice Norris Jr. has a team-high 13 total tackles while Levelle Bailey has an interception and Johnny Hudson Jr. has a sack this season.

Fresno State Bulldogs Team Facts

– Fresno State has won each of its last 11 games.
– Fresno State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four September games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
– Fresno State has won the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
– Five of Fresno State’s last six road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Arizona State Comes Up Short Vs. Oklahoma State

The Arizona State Sun Devils ended up falling short against Oklahoma State last time out, dropping to 1-1 on the year after a 27-15 loss to the Cowboys. Jaden Rashada has thrown for 403 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception on 56.7% passing while Cameron Skattebo has a team-high 133 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Xavier Guillory has a team-high 9 catches for 120 yards and a touchdown to lead Arizona State’s receiving group. On defense, Shamari Simmons and Tate Romney each have a team-high 13 total tackles while B.J. Green II has a team-high 2 sacks this season.

Arizona State Sun Devils Team Facts

– The favorite has won each of Arizona State’s last eight games.
– Arizona State has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at Mountain America Stadium.
– Arizona State has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
– Arizona State has won the first half in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at Mountain America Stadium.
– Each of Arizona State’s last 14 games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

– Fresno State ranked T10th among FBS teams for H2 win percentage last season (.714).
– Fresno State ranked T12th among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.643).

Chris’ Pick

I’m leaning towards Fresno State here. I don’t love laying points on the road with Fresno State against a Pac-12 team, but I really haven’t seen anything good from Arizona State so far this season and I just think this is one of those cases where Fresno State wins and covers this game by simply outscoring Arizona State and the Sun Devils just not being able to match score for score with Fresno State. Not a game I’m rushing to bet right away, but I’ll back the Bulldogs here.