One of the most highly anticipated Week 3 matchups in the 2024 College Football season is that between the 2-0 Arizona State Sun Devils and 2-0 Texas State Bobcats. This will be a fantastic encounter, given that both teams started off well and have fantastic, dynamic players. Here is a breakdown of what to expect, key players to watch, and predictions for the game.
Raliek Brown makes his Arizona State debut.
One of Arizona State’s most compelling storylines entering this game was what was thought to be the first instance of Raleek Brown, considered one of the better high school recruits who transferred from USC to Arizona State. He will be competing against Texas State, considered to be his first appearance. A hamstring injury and a position change from running back to receiver forced Brown, a multi-threat talent, to redshirt in 2023. He measures 5-foot-9 and weighs 185 pounds. Brown, as a freshman at USC, rushed 42 times for 227 yards, caught 16 passes for 175 yards, and returned 24 kickoffs for 517 yards.
Adding Brown means Arizona State has an already loaded running backroom, led by Cam Skattebo. Skattebo, who has amassed 311 yards on 44 carries, will continue to serve as the team’s main back. Brown could spell Skattebo, further fleshing out an offense that has relied on run-to-power victories over Wyoming and Mississippi State.
Arizona State’s Strong Defensive Play
The Arizona State defence has been a strong point of this 2-0 start, holding the second spot in Big 12 total defence and top in run defense. The Sun Devils are yielding just 205 total yards of offence per game, and their rush defence is extremely stingy, allowing just 32 yards per game on the ground. Key defensive players such as junior linebacker Keyshaun Elliott and senior defensive lineman Elijah O’Neal have been disruptive forces, recording sacks, interceptions, and plenty of tackles.
The defensive unit will be the most paramount to contain the Bobcats’ high-powered offence, which has averaged 41.5 points per game this season. Junior defensive back Myles Rowser, with a team-leading 15 total tackles, also has a huge task in closing down Texas State’s explosive plays.
Texas State’s balanced offensive attack
So far, the Texas State attack has proven to be effective, leaving defences uncertain about its balance. Junior running backs Ismail Mahdi and Lincoln Pare man the Bobcats’ backfield. Mahdi leads the team in rushing, with 182 yards on 37 carries. Pare provides a bruised presence to complement Mahdi, adding 133 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns. Then there is the deep-threat option for senior receiver Joey Hobert.
The Bobcats are well-known for getting off to quick starts. Last season’s 5-1 home record reflected this. In a hurry, Texas State can get up and down the court to score. However, this will, by and large, be the toughest test the Bobcats have seen on defence this season in Arizona State.
Insight into the Game and Predictions
Line: With 2.5 points, Texas State is a slight favorite. The over/under for points scored is 59.5. The teams enter the game 2-0 on the season and on the heels of convincing wins: Arizona State defeated Mississippi State, 30-23; Texas State had a 49-10 victory over UTSA.
Keys to Texas State’s victory: In order to cover and win, Texas State must continue with a balanced offence of running and passing the ball downfield. Keeping ASU’s defence on their heels with quick play-action passes and effectively using Mahdi/Pare may be key to securing the victory over Arizona State.
Keys to Victory for Arizona State: The base of Arizona State’s success will come from how stingy their defence is against Texas State’s explosive offense. On the other end, the Sun Devils need to rush early and set up Skattebo and Brown in the right situations. To control the tempo, the best way will be to win the time-of-possession battle by not allowing any turnovers.
Final Thoughts
The first meeting between Arizona State and Texas State could set the tone for their seasons. Arizona State seeks its first road win under coach Kenny Dillingham, while Texas State is looking to add to a favorable home record last season. Both teams have scored over 39 points per game this season, which sets up a very competitive and high-scoring battle.
Prediction: A stingy Arizona State defence could be the difference. We expect the game to be lower scoring than some might anticipate, leading to a close victory for Arizona State over Texas State and an opportunity to take the cover and under for the set total points.
This article covers Big 12 football, the Sun Belt Conference, college football picks, the SportsLine projection model, college football odds, and best bets.
