Arkansas State Red Wolves (2-1) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (2-0)
September 21, 2024 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Iowa State Cyclones -21.5 / Arkansas State Red Wolves +21.5; Over/Under: +51.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Arkansas State Red Wolves and the Iowa State Cyclones meet in week 3 college football action from Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Arkansas State vs. Iowa State prediction.
Arkansas State Recap
The Arkansas State Red Wolves come into this one looking to spring the upset after falling to Michigan by a final score of 28-18 last time out. After this game, Arkansas State will head home for a matchup against South Alabama.
Raynor is Leading Charge For the Red Wolves
Jaylen Raynor has thrown for 712 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions on 57.1% passing, while Timmy McClain has 82 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Raynor has rushed for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Zak Wallace has a team-high 124 rushing yards and 2 TDs of his own this season. Corey Rucker has a team-high 17 receptions for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Courtney Jackson and Reagan Ealy each have 100+ receiving yards for Arkansas State as well this season. On defense, Justin Parks has a team-high 24 total tackles, while Jayden Jones has a pair of sacks and Trevian Thomas has a pair of interceptions.
Why the Arkansas State Red Wolves will win
- The underdog has won three of Iowa State’s last four games.
- The underdog has covered the spread in each of Arkansas State’s last nine games.
Iowa State Recap
The Iowa State Cyclones will try to maintain their unbeaten start to the year after a 20-19 win over rival Iowa in their last matchup. After this matchup, Iowa State will head back out on the road to do battle with Houston in a conference matchup.
Cyclones Trying To Get the Ball Rolling Offensively
Rocco Becht has thrown for 539 yards, 4 touchdowns, and an interception on 70.5% passing, while Abu Sama III has rushed for a team-high 94 rushing yards. Jaylin Noel has a team-high 13 receptions for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Jayden Higgins has 13 grabs for 143 yards and 2 TDs of his own. On defense, Malik Verdon has a team-high 22 total tackles while J.R. Singleton has a pair of sacks and Darien Porter has a pair of interceptions for the Cyclone defense as well on the year.
Why the Iowa State Cyclones will win
- Arkansas State has lost each of its last six games against AP-ranked teams.
- Iowa State has won six of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Arkansas State has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.
- Iowa State has covered the spread in four of its last five games at Jack Trice Stadium when playing with a rest advantage.
Arkansas State vs. Iowa State Prediction
I’m on the under here. I think that Arkansas State will compete here, but I haven’t necessarily been all that impressed with Iowa State’s offense, and I think the Cyclones will once again make it all about the defense here. I mean, Iowa State put up just 21 against North Dakota to start the year and while Arkansas State’s defense isn’t anything special, I think that Iowa State may lean on the defense once again here and keep this one fairly low-scoring. Give me the under.
