Stanford Cardinal vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Oct. 8, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI College Football Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Friday night football returns with two teams coming off rather large upset victories in the prior week. Stanford heads to Tempe, Arizona for a 10:30 p.m. ET kick on ESPN. The Sun Devils are No. 22 in the nation entering this contest.

Score Prediction: Arizona State 36, Stanford 24

Best Bet: Over 51.5

Best Bet: Arizona State -11.5

Stanford Cardinal vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Predictions

The Sun Devlis come off a rather impressive victory against UCLA, showing they can throw as effective as they run. Whether that is sustainable against Stanford remains the biggest question. But ASU still has an overpowering rushing attack if Jayden Daniels struggles.

This game is more about consistency versus volatility, with the edge going to ASU. This is the team that’s played with an identity, earning that big win in the air over the Bruins. Their only blemish was losing to the – now 10th ranked – Cougars in Provo. They also score points, rather easily.

Now comes volatility, defined in the way in which Stanford upset Oregon. The Cardinal made some plays to force OT, and eventually took the game. However, The Ducks committed a football atrocity by mismanaging the clock in the final seconds. That’s not sustainable to carry into the following week, as a forthcoming letdown feels inevitable. This is still the same team that lost to KSU to start the season, and the same UCLA team two weeks ago.

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Stanford Cardinal vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Betting Odds

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Arizona State is an 11.5-point home favorite against Stanford. The Sun Devils are 2-3 ATS this season, while the Cardinal is 3-2 ATS.

The total for this game is 51.5 points. Sun Devil Stadium is averaging 50 ppg over 3 games so far this year.

Stanford Cardinal vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Betting Resources

• Matchup: Pac-12
• Date: Friday, October 8, 2021
• Venue: Sun Devil Stadium
• Location: Tempe, Arizona
• TV-Time: ESPN - 10:30 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• College Football Playoff Betting

Stanford Cardinal Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 3-2
• ATS: 3-2
• O/U: 2-3
• ATS - Home: 1-1
• ATS - Away: 2-1

Let’s not sell the Cardinal entirely short on their improbable upset last week, they made some key plays and took advantage of opportunity knocking. They still struggle in a couple of key areas, namely stopping the run. They give up nearly 215 ypg on the ground, which is exactly what their opponent does best. The lure of that Ducks upset is going to be shattered the first time someone tries to tackle Rachaad White. That opens up the passing game for ASU, which looked sharp last week.

Arizona State Sun Devils Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 0-4
• ATS: 2-2
• O/U: 2-2
• ATS - Home: 1-2
• ATS - Away: 1-0

Run the ball, win the game. It’s worked so far for ASU and should continue to benefit the Sun Devils Friday night. The biggest shot in the arm for this offense came last weekend when they were fueled by the passing attack. It’s a refreshing element to this offense that makes ASU a viable contender to now win the Pac-12. Don’t expect any letdown against Stanford. ASU’s defense is holding teams to just over 17 ppg and making it extremely difficult to throw the football.

The Stanford Cardinal has won six of their last seven games when playing on the road. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Stanford Cardinal

• Record: 3-2
• VI Ranking: 43
• Points Scored: 145
• Points Allowed: 134
• PS/G: 29 (69th)
• PA/G: 26.8 (82nd)

Inside the Stats - Arizona State Sun Devils

• Record: 4-1
• VI Ranking: 17
• Points Scored: 153
• Points Allowed: 58
• PS/G: 38.2 (17th)
• PA/G: 14.5 (8th)

Key Players to Watch

• STAN: Tanner McKee - QB (89/138, 1.093 yards, 11 TD)
• STAN: Elijah Higgins - WR (22 catches, 273 yards, 3 TD)
• AZST: Desmond Ridder - QB (73/115, 1,045 yards, 9 TD, 2 INT)
• AZST: Alec Pierce - WR (15 catches, 294 yards, TD)

Injuries

• STAN: E.J. Smith - RB (Undisclosed-Doubtful)
• STAN: Ethan Bonner - CB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
• STAN: Brycen Tremayne - WR (Leg-Out)
• STAN: Michael Wilson - WR (Foot-Out)
• STAN: Branson Bragg - OL (Undisclosed-Questionable)
• STAN: Zahran Manley - CB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
• STAN: Salim Turner-Muhammad - CB (Undisclosed-Out)
• STAN: Jonathan McGill - S (Undisclosed-Out)
• AZST: Travez Moore - LB (Knee-Out)
• AZST: Amiri JOhnson - DL (Undisclosed-Questionable)
• AZST: Jordan Banks - LB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
• AZST: Jake Ray - TE (Undisclosed-Questionable)
• AZST: Johnny Wilson - WR (Hamstring-Questionable)

Stanford Cardinal vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Betting Conclusion

Arizona State laying anything under 14 just feels right. ASU is only giving up 146 yards per game in the air, that’s it. It’s difficult to think that Stanford walks into Tempe on a Friday night and pushes anyone around. ASU knows they have a legit shot to win the conference and a possible glimpse of their upcoming opponent in the Pac-12 Championship game; don’t bet on them to blow it.

Stanford Cardinal vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Betting Trends

• Stanford has covered the spread in six of its last eight games.
• Stanford has gone OVER the point total in four of its last six road games.
• Stanford has won six of its last seven road games.
• Arizona State has gone UNDER the point total in five of its last six home games.
• Arizona State has failed to cover the spread in 10 of its last 14 home games.

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