The SMU Mustangs are receiving three points from oddsmakers as they open their 2019 campaign against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Centennial Bank Stadium. The matchup kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET and ESPN+ is scheduled to have the TV rights.
Betting Preview: Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. SMU Mustangs
SMU is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 3 points in this game. The Mustangs are also receiving +120 moneyline odds while the Red Wolves are -140. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 58 points, and if one side can get out in front early on, it’ll probably create a reasonable in-game betting opportunity.
With the spread opening at -6 and the O/U placed originally at 57.5, oddsmakers have swayed this game’s outlook a hair.
Against the spread (ATS) last season, the Mustangs were 5-7. The under cashed in seven of their matchups while the over hit five times. The Red Wolves put together a record of 6-7 ATS with an O/U record of 3-9.
Overall, the Red Wolves were 8-5 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Mustangs were 5-7 last year. Against conference opponents, the Mustangs went 4-4 SU while the Red Wolves were 5-3 SU versus Sun Belt schools. The Mustangs were 1-3 SU when playing teams out of conference and the Red Wolves were 3-1 SU against non-conference competition.
The Mustangs averaged 284.9 passing yards per game and 112.1 rushing yards per game versus their eight in-conference opponents last year. The team was able to score 30.9 points per game against those opponents and gave up 32.9 per contest. When facing out-of-conference programs, they averaged 29.5 points-for and 40.0 points-against, in addition to 245.3 pass yards per game and 122.3 rush yards per game.
In matchups featuring out-of-conference foes in 2018, the Red Wolves passed for 276.3 yards per game and ran for 190.0 per game on their way to 27.8 points per outing. When facing just SBC opponents, the offensive unit managed 33.8 points per game by averaging 286.9 passing yards and 179.9 rushing yards. The Red Wolves defense allowed 29.5 PPG to non-conference foes and 24.9 to teams in conference
If last year’s results can translate to 2019, then the Red Wolves could hold an edge in the trenches, as their offensive line allowed only 24 sacks last season while the D-line logged 34 sacks. The Mustangs O-line gave up 31 sacks last year and their defense sacked opposing signal-callerss on just 25 occasions.
SMU Mustangs at Arkansas State Red Wolves NCAA Prediction
SU Winner: Arkansas State, ATS Winner: Arkansas State, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- The SMU offensive line allowed 31 sacks last season. Their defense created 25 sacks.
- Arkansas State offense gave up 24 sacks last year. Their defense sacked opposing quarterbacks on 34 occasions
- SMU created 17 rushing touchdowns last season.
- Arkansas State put up 18 rushing touchdowns last season.
- The Mustangs registered 3.5 yards per carry last season while allowing a YPC of 4.3 to opponents.
- The Red Wolves tallied 4.8 yards per carry last season and gave up a YPC of 4.8 to opponents.
- Both of these teams put up exactly 28 passing touchdowns last season.
