The 2020 college football season opens for Arkansas State and Memphis at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn., with a Saturday night kickoff at 8 p.m. ET (on ESPN). We analyze the Arkansas State-Memphis college football betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Arkansas State at Memphis: Betting odds and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:25 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Memphis -910 | Arkansas State +575
- Against the Spread/ATS: Memphis -17.5 (-106) | Arkansas State +17.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 74.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Arkansas State at Memphis: Three things to know
- Memphis star RB Kenneth Gainwell has opted out due to COVID-19 concerns. He rolled up 1,459 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, while adding 51 catches for 610 yards and three more scores. Four members of his from his family have reportedly died from the virus, including an uncle whose funeral took place last weekend.
- With Gainwell out of commission, it might be more air raid in Grind City. QB Brady White posted 4,014 passing yards with 33 TD strikes in 2019, and WR Damonte Coxie hauled in 76 balls for 1,276 yards and nine scores.
- Arkansas State has 13 returning starters from an eight-win team that won the Camellia Bowl. WR Jonathan Adams, on the Biletnikoff Award watch list, is the Red Wolves’ biggest star on offense. He’ll help new QB Logan Bonner, who takes the reins from departed QB Layne Hatcher.
Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a college football bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!
Arkansas State at Memphis: Odds, betting lines and picks
Prediction
Memphis 41, Arkansas State 24
Moneyline (ML)
Memphis (-910) will kick off the Ryan Silverfield era with a victory against a tough customer in Arkansas State (+575). However, there is no way to justify spending nearly 10 times your potential return, especially against a good Red Wolves team that will hang tough early on. AVOID.
Against the Spread (ATS)
ARKANSAS STATE (+17.5, -115) hails from the Sun Belt Conference, and I am a big fan of the Sun Belt Fun Belt. These teams are often overlooked and underrated early on, but the Red Wolves have some exciting players who will look to make a splash on prime time with all of the nation’s eyes watching. If Gainwell, the only player to go 1,000-500 in FBS last season, were in there for Memphis (-17.5, -106), I might be whistling a different tune. However, I think Arkansas State grabs a narrow cover on the road.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 74.5 (-110) is the play in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday. The under went 2-2 in four regular-season nonconference games for Memphis in 2019, while Arkansas State saw the under hit in two of their three nonconference tilts against FBS foes. Again, Gainwell’s absence will upset the Memphis offense a bit, as will the coaching change. The Tigers will post big points and get going, but a slow start will help under bettors to a winning ticket.
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]