The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers picked up this season right where they left off in 2020, using a dominant ground game to put opponents on their heels and then cruising to victory.
Arkansas State, meanwhile, has also picked up where it left off in 2020, though that does not have the same positive indications. The Red Wolves gave up big scores to most opponents last year and have given up 45.6 points per game this season. Most notably, Arkansas State still cannot stop the run, giving up 6.71 yards per carry.
Here are our free college football betting picks and predictions for Coastal Carolina at Arkansas State on October 7, with kickoff set for 7:30 ET.
Coastal Carolina vs Arkansas State odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
The Chanticleers' star quarterback Grayson McCall injured his ankle last weekend and with his status uncertain on Sunday, this line opened favoring Coastal Carolina by only 16.5 points. It quickly hopped to -17.5 on Sunday and then, when Chanticleers head coach Jamey Chadwell said adamantly that McCall will play, this steamed up to -19.5 on Monday, reaching -20.0 on Wednesday. McCall’s status also initially suppressed the total, which opened at 70.0 on Sunday but quickly climbed past 71 with news of his health and continued to 73.0 by midweek.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
Coastal Carolina vs Arkansas State picks
Picks made on 10/6/2021 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Coastal Carolina vs Arkansas State game info
• Location: Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro, AR
• Date: Thursday, October 7, 2021
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPNU
Coastal Carolina vs Arkansas State betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
Coastal Carolina: Grayson McCall QB (Questionable), Shemari Jones RB (Probable), Massimo Biscardi K (Probable).
Arkansas State: No injuries to report.
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Coastal Carolina is not only 4-1 ATS in its last five, but also 7-1-1 ATS in its last nine conference games and 7-2 ATS in its last nine road games. Coastal Carolina has also made Overs a habit, hitting the Over in its last four conference games, five of its last seven games overall, and 20 of its last 29 road games. That fits with Arkansas State’s norms, hitting the Over in six of its last eight games as a home underdog and 68.6 percent of the time in its last 70 games against teams with winning records. Find more NCAA betting trends for Coastal Carolina vs. Arkansas State.
Coastal Carolina vs Arkansas State predictions
Coastal Carolina -20.0 (-110)
Truth be told, at the time of this writing on Wednesday evening, some books still have -19.5 (-110) posted, but in an effort to be transparent and authentic, let’s commit to the -20.0. It should not matter.
The Chanticleers’ unique offense begins with the run and then capitalizes on McCall’s otherworldly accuracy (80.2 percent this season with 10 touchdowns compared to just one interception). If McCall is surprisingly ruled out Thursday, this all changes, but taking Chadwell at his unambiguous word, then the Red Wolves defense should not stand a chance.
Coastal runs for 257.4 yards per game and 6.4 yards per carry while Arkansas State gives up 263.2 rushing yards per game and nearly seven yards per attempt. The Chanticleers might as well run a marathon Thursday night, given how easily the Red Wolves will let them cut through on the ground.
That will serve to both run up the score and minimize Arkansas State’s possessions. The Red Wolves will score some, but nowhere near enough to keep up with McCall & Co.
Over 73.0 (-110)
Arkansas State always seems to score some. Remove its demolition at the hands of Washington (the week after the Huskies fell to Michigan, so they had some frustration to work out), and Arkansas State has averaged 36.75 points per game in their other four games.
In this instance, the Red Wolves just cracking three touchdowns should propel this game to the Over, and they have reached that threshold in four of five games this season, 12 of their last 16 and 23 of their last 29.
For all of Coastal Carolina’s success, its defense still gives up some points. Two opponents this year have cracked 21 points, as did seven of last year’s 12 foes.
Did you know that if you parlayed our Coastal Carolina vs. Arkansas State picks, you could win $26.45 on a $10 bet?
Use our college football parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
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