The Southern Utah Thunderbirds and Arizona State Sun Devils meet Thursday in week 1 college football action at Sun Devil Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Southern Utah Betting Preview

Southern Utah is coming off a 5-6 season that included a 2-4 record on the road. DeLane Fitzgerald is back for his second season as head coach, and he brings back the same coordinators. Justin Miller returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,800 yards and 20 touchdowns and completing 65.4 percent of his passes. Braedon Wissler rushed for 444 yards and a touchdown, while Isaiah Wooden and Timothy Patrick are a receiving duo that combined for 1,100 yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, Kohner Cullimore returns after leading Southern Utah with 76 tackles, Payton Payne had 4.5 sacks and Quadir Lockett-Smith had 6 pass deflections. Southern Utah returns a ton of production on both sides of the ball, and that’s the reason for optimism. There’s been some rough seasons in Cedar City, and the Thunderbirds haven’t had a winning year since 2017. That could change this season. 

Arizona State Betting Preview

Arizona State is coming off a 3-win season and now begins the Kenny Dillingham era. The former Oregon offensive coordinator is a head coach for the first time at just 33 years old. He has first time coordinators as well. Arizona State hasn’t had back to back losing seasons since 2015-16. Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne likely starts at quarterback, a guy who piled up 2,200 passing yards and 24 touchdowns on 287 pass attempts. ASU lost a ton of production in the backfield including a 1,000-yard rusher in Xazavian Valladay, but a receiving trio of Elijhah Badger, Giovanni Sanders and Jalin Conyers that combined for 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns returns. Defensively, Chris Edmonds returns after 50 tackles, Anthonie Cooper led the Sun Devils with 2.5 sacks and Jordan Clark had 2 interceptions. Arizona State has a capable quarterback and playmaking receivers, but there are holes elsewhere. ASU needs to find help at running back, become more reliable on the offensive line, and that defense said goodbye to a lot of production. Also, there’s a first-time head coach who is extremely young. It may be a rough year, as only Colorado and Stanford have worse odds to win the PAC-12 than the Sun Devils. 

Arizona State Sun Devils Team Facts

• Arizona State has won seven of its last eight Thursday games against non-conference opponents.
• Arizona State has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents at Mountain America Stadium.
• Arizona State has won the first half in seven of its last eight Thursday games against non-conference opponents.
• Arizona State has won the first quarter in seven of its last eight Thursday games against non-conference opponents.
• Each of Arizona State’s last 12 games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Randy’s Pick

Arizona State should obviously be big favorites in this spot, but there are a lot of question marks and this could be another struggle season. Southern Utah is as talented as it’s been in quite some time, and I do believe this could be a winning season for the Thunderbirds. Not saying there’s an outright upset here, but this game could be a lot closer than many believe. Assuming we’re getting a decent amount of points, give me Southern Utah.