Texas State entered the season as one of the favorites to win the Sun Belt, and the Bobcats haven’t disappointed yet.
They’re 3-1 entering conference play. They started out with a 52-27 win over Eastern Michigan, then defeated in-state rival UTSA 43-36.
Texas State went on the road and lost at Arizona State 34-15, but then they bounced back and secured an FCS win, 35-3 against Nicholls.
Arkansas State, meanwhile, has been a bit more disappointing. The Red Wolves are 1-4 and 0-1 in the Sun Belt.
Arkansas State started off with a 42-24 win over Southeast Missouri State, but now the Red Wolves are on a four-game losing streak. They have been close in most of those games, though. Except for their loss at Arkansas, which was a 56-14 decision, Arkansas State kept its matchups with Iowa State (24-16), Kennesaw State (28-21), and ULM (28-16) to within 12 points – and 22 points was the combined margin.
Will Arkansas State finally get a win this week against one of the favorites in the conference?
Texas State vs. Arkansas State Betting Odds
Arkansas State is a +13.5 college football betting odds underdog against Texas State, with the Over/Under being 64.5 as of this writing.
The moneyline for Texas State is -500, while it’s +375 for Arkansas State.
Texas State vs. Arkansas State On TV
The matchup between Texas State and Arkansas State will be televised on ESPNU.
The game will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 4. The contest is taking place at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Texas State vs. Arkansas State Prediction
I predict Texas State will win but Arkansas State will cover the 13.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 64.5 total points.
With players like Jaylen Raynor at quarterback and Chauncy Cobb and Corey Rucker at wide receiver, I believe the Red Wolves have the talent to score often and keep this game close. But I think Texas State is just a little bit better.
The Bobcats haven’t always been perfect on defense. But with linebacker Treylin Payne, defensive back Ryan Nolan, and defensive end Kalil Alexander leading the way, I think that unit will improve as the season goes on. In fact, after allowing UTSA’s high-powered offense to put up 36 points, the Bobcats have surrendered fewer (34 at Arizona State) and fewer (three against Nicholls) points in recent weeks.
Ultimately though, I think Texas State’s offense is the reason the Bobcats will win this game.
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson has been pretty efficient thus far. He’s thrown for 864 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception on a 67% completion rate while rushing for 128 yards and five more scores.
And the Bobcats have been balanced, as they’ve rushed for 886 yards as a team. Lincoln Pare leads Texas State with 363 yards and three scores on the ground.
Beau Sparks has been Jackson’s primary target. He has five touchdowns through the air, which is tied for the sixth most in the country, as well as 370 yards on 28 receptions.
I anticipate this will be a bit of an offensive shootout, but I think Texas State’s offense will put up enough points and its defense will make enough critical plays for the Bobcats to win by a touchdown.
