FIU Golden Panthers vs Arkansas State Red Wolves Pick, Odds, Camellia Bowl Prediction 12/21/2019

Game: FIU Golden Panthers vs Arkansas State Red Wolves

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2019

Camellia Bowl

Location: Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Arkansas State -4.5

Total/Over-Under: 62.5

James Morgan and the FIU Golden Panthers travel to Cramton Bowl on Saturday, December 21, 2019 where they'll take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves in the Camellia Bowl. Arkansas State opens this game as 4.5-point favorites. The Golden Panthers are 4-8-0 ATS and 6-6-0 when betting on the total. The Red Wolves are 7-5-0 when wagering on the over/under and 5-7-0 against the spread.

The last time they took the field, the FIU Golden Panthers played the Marshall Thundering Herd and lost 30-27. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Golden Panthers was James Morgan who went 21/37 with 236 yards passing and completed 1 touchdown. He gave away 1 interception during the game. Anthony Jones led the team in rushing for the game. He tore off a long run of 9 yards and he notched 1 touchdown during the game. He ran for a total of 52 yards via 17 carries which had him averaging 3.1 yards per run. Tony Gaiter IV led the team in receiving yardage with a total of 107 yards on 9 catches. He notched an average of 11.9 yards per catch for the game. The Golden Panthers ended up rushing 30 times and earned 82 yards earning them an average of 2.7 yards per attempt. For the game, they ran 68 plays for a total of 322 yards. For the contest, the Golden Panthers racked up a total of 17 first downs and they had a total of 9 infractions for 75 yards telling us that this team was extremely undisciplined. When discussing the defense, FIU conceded 9 catches on 20 throws for a total of 90 yards, and a completion percentage of 45.0%. Against the run, the Golden Panthers conceded 200 yards on 57 runs which gave them an average of 3.5 yards per carry allowed. In the game, they allowed 290 yards and earned 1 takeaway.

The Golden Panthers step onto the field holding a record of 6-6 this season. In terms of scoring, they are one of the marginal teams in the country with an average of 26.5 points per contest, putting them 84th in college football. As a unit, they are averaging 167.8 rushing yards per game which is 5th in Conference USA. For total yards, they rank 10th in the conference and 98th in college football with 4,456 yards. The Golden Panthers have one of the middle tier defenses in the country, giving up 26.7 points per contest putting them 8th in C-USA. When talking about yards rushing, FIU is giving up 205.1 yards per contest which has them at 14th in Conference USA and 111th in college football. Opposing teams are running for an average of 5.2 yards per carry ranking them 12th in C-USA and 115th in the country overall. Overall, they have allowed 2,461 rushing yards through 12 contests. When it comes to yards through the air, the Golden Panthers have allowed 2,442 yards. Teams are completing 55.1% of the passes they throw against them and averaging 6.4 yards per attempt.

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In their last contest, the Arkansas State Red Wolves took on the South Alabama Jaguars and lost 34-30. Jamal Jones led the team on the ground during the game. He tore off a long run of 9 yards but wasn't able to convert a rushing touchdown. He scurried for 61 yards via 16 carries which had him averaging 3.8 yards per carry. Kirk Merritt was the receiving yardage leader by earning 121 yards on 9 receptions. He had an average of 13.4 yards per reception during the game. Leading the way at QB for the Red Wolves was Layne Hatcher who went 23/38 with 342 yards through the air and completed 2 TD's. He walked away from this game with no interceptions. The Red Wolves rushed the ball a total of 39 times and racked up a total of 95 yards earning them an average of 2.4 yards per run. For the contest, the Red Wolves earned a total of 21 first downs and they totaled 4 penalties for 20 yards which tells us that they had an average outing in terms of discipline. In the game, they finished with a total of 77 plays for 437 yards. When discussing the defense, Arkansas State gave up 20 completions on 31 attempts for a total of 279 yards, and a completion percentage of 64.5%. Against the run, the Red Wolves gave up 216 yards on 48 tries which is an average of 4.5 yards per run allowed. Overall, they allowed 495 yards and earned 2 turnovers.

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The Red Wolves step onto the field holding a record of 7-5. Arkansas State needs to do more to make teams respect their running game by averaging 126.8 rushing yards per contest, which has them at 112th in college football. As a unit, they have compiled a total of 1,522 yards rushing through 12 games, so they are going to want to make some changes to the ground game if they want to make teams respect them. The Red Wolves average 432.2 yards per game overall ranking them 44th in the country and 6th in the Sun Belt. The Red Wolves are giving up 34.8 points per game ranking them 7th in the Sun Belt and 116th in college football. In terms of points allowed, they have allowed 418 total points. When it comes to yards rushing, they are allowing 224.6 yards per contest ranking them 123rd in Division 1 and 9th in the Sun Belt. For the 2019 season, they have given up a total of 2,695 rushing yards and 31.2 rushing touchdowns. Their passing defense is one of the mediocre units in D-1. They are allowing 257.3 passing yards per game. For yards through the air allowed per game, the Red Wolves are currently ranked 10th in the Sun Belt.

Who will win tonight's Golden Panthers/Red Wolves college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Golden Panthers +4.5

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