Not many people would’ve believed Arkansas State and Missouri State would be playing in a bowl game just a couple months ago.
After all, Arkansas State started this season 1-4 overall. The Red Wolves’ only win was against Southeast Missouri State during that time. They lost to Arkansas, Iowa State, Kennesaw State, and ULM during that stretch. Granted, each of those last three games were decided by 12 points or less.
But Arkansas State bounced back in resounding fashion with a four-game winning streak against Texas State, South Alabama, Georgia Southern, and Troy. The Red Wolves needed just one more win for bowl-eligibility.
But then they lost to Southern Miss. And then to Louisiana as well.
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But the Red Wolves pulled off a 30-29 win at App State to conclude the regular season and earn another bowl berth.
Missouri State, a first-year FBS program, is another story. Due to rules for teams transferring up from the FCS, the Bears would only qualify for a bowl if there wasn’t enough bowl-eligible teams. And that was only if they won six or more games during their first year in Conference USA.
But they proved they belonged at this level. They started the season 7-3 overall with their only losses being against USC, SMU, and Western Kentucky. They beat Marshall, UT Martin, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, FIU, Liberty, and UTEP during that stretch. They’ve lost their last two games against Kennesaw State and Louisiana Tech, but it was still enough for Missouri State to find itself in the Xbox Bowl facing Arkansas State.
Missouri State vs. Arkansas State Betting Odds
Arkansas State is a -1.5 college football betting odds favorite against Missouri State, with the Over/Under being 54.5 as of this writing. The moneyline for Missouri State is -110, while it’s -110 for Arkansas State.
Missouri State vs. Arkansas State On TV
The matchup between Missouri State and Arkansas State will be televised on ESPN2.
The game will kick off at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 18. The contest is taking place at Ford Center At The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Missouri State vs. Arkansas State Prediction
I predict Arkansas State will win and cover the 1.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 54.5 total points.
I think these two teams are pretty evenly matched. But I like how Arkansas State has played leading up to this point a bit more.
The Red Wolves won five of their last seven games, and those two losses were each decided by one possession. The Bears, though the games weren’t blowouts, lost to Kennesaw State and Louisiana Tech after giving up a combined 83 points in those matchups to end the regular season.
Arkansas State, meanwhile, closed out the regular season fourth in the Sun Belt in scoring defense with 27.3 points per game allowed.
I expect Red Wolves quarterback Jaylen Raynor will make some plays through the air and on the ground and that Arkansas State’s defense will give Missouri State’s offense several issues en route to a win.
