Arizona State 2018 Betting Odds
- To win the National Title: +100000
- To make Playoff: +12500
- To win the Pac-12: +10000
- To win the Pac-12 South: +1100
- Win Total: 4.5 (over -140, under +110)
All lines taken on Aug. 15. Always shop for the best line.
Arizona State 2018 Schedule, Betting Odds
The Action Network Projected Wins: 3.9
Bet To Watch
Arizona State Under 4.5 wins (+110)
The Herm Edwards era is officially underway in Tempe. College football is a 365-day-per-year job, and much to Edwards' surprise, recruiting is bit tougher than the NFL Draft. The former Jets coach is learning that collegiate athletes are not quite as disciplined as NFLers.
Edwards has been focusing on defense thus far in camp, and the depth chart is wide open, as the Sun Devils rank 115th in returning production. In early practices, Edwards has the team working out of a 3-3-5 scheme with a lot of the focus on the defensive backs. They ranked 112th in passing downs explosiveness, so it's a secondary that needs plenty of attention.
The offense returns plenty of talent at the skill positions, but quarterback Manny Wilkins was constantly harassed last season behind an inconsistent offensive line. The Sun Devils ranked 115th in adjusted sack rate offensively, but that should improve thanks to transfers from USC and Stanford. This deeply experienced offensive line should allow Wilkins to create plenty of explosiveness.
Even with a refocused defense and Wilkins under center, this is still too tough of a schedule. In the Pac-12 South, Arizona State drew cross-division games with Washington, Oregon and Stanford. Those road trips to Oregon and Arizona will be chaos for a new defense.
I am betting on the Sun Devils win total Under 4.5 (+110), as they must sweep their winnable games to cash the over. That includes road trips to Colorado and San Diego State, while defending home turf against Oregon State and UCLA.
What else you need to know about Arizona State
The over is 13-2 when Arizona State is coming off a bye since 2009. Although the Sun Devils are under new management, this would apply at home against Stanford on Oct. 18.
Looking for an intriguing spot to fade Arizona State that includes coaching staff crossover? The Sun Devils travel to San Diego State on Sept. 15, directly after hosting a physical Michigan State team.
New Arizona State defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales had been on the Aztecs' defensive staff since 2011, and is looking to mimic the 3-3-5 as Rocky Long's protege. But San Diego State got worse in efficiency and explosiveness under Gonzales in 2017, moving from 25th in overall havoc in 2016 to 79th in 2017.
No Game of the Year spread exists, but coming off a game against Sacramento State, look to back San Diego State -3 or better against the Sun Devils.
