FLA INTERNATIONAL (4 - 2) at ARKANSAS ST (4 - 2)
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FLA INTERNATIONAL is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) after a bye week since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
ARKANSAS ST is 1-1 against the spread versus FLA INTERNATIONAL over the last 3 seasons
ARKANSAS ST is 1-1 straight up against FLA INTERNATIONAL over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL vs. ARKANSAS STATE
Florida International is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Florida International is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Arkansas State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arkansas State's last 5 games when playing Florida International
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arkansas State's last 5 games at home
FLA INTERNATIONAL at ARKANSAS ST
FLA INTERNATIONAL: 0-6 ATS after playing 2 straight non-conference games
ARKANSAS ST: 5-1 ATS in all games
Game of the day: Florida International at Arkansas State
By David Payne
Covers.com
Florida International at Arkansas State (-3, 54)
Mid-week Sun Belt football is back, featuring a nationally televised matchup between a pair of teams trying to stay alive in the conference race.
Florida International was an early-season ATS dynamo, winning its first three games and covering the spread in each. But an injury to star wide receiver/kick returner T.Y. Hilton led to losses in two of the Golden Panthers’ last three, with their only win coming against an Akron team that is considered among the absolute worst in the nation. Hilton will play Tuesday.
The Golden Panthers haven’t covered the spread since upsetting Central Florida on Sept. 19 and must travel to Jonesboro, Ark., as short road dogs.
Arkansas State has played well for first-year coach Hugh Freeze and has covered in five of six. The Red Wolves bounced back from a bad loss at Western Kentucky with a solid road conference win at Louisiana-Monroe on Oct. 8.
THE LINE
Arkansas State opened as a 2.5-point favorite Sunday at the Las Vegas Wynn. Early money came in on the Red Wolves, pushing the number to as high as 3.5. The number had settled back at -3 as of Monday afternoon.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Florida International boasts a balanced offensive attack, orchestrated by quarterback Wes Carroll, a transfer from Mississippi State. The Golden Panthers average 248 passing yards and 156 on the ground. They’re not only excellent at getting to the passer (2.83 sacks, 19th nationally), but they also protect Carroll well, allowing just over one sack per game (32nd nationally).
Protecting the quarterback will be key, as Arkansas State also ranks high in sacks (2.67, 22nd). The Red Wolves, however, have been susceptible to pressure and are surrendering more than two sacks (2.17, 73rd). Of course, they throw it a lot, too, with junior quarterback Ryan Aplin. His favorite target is Josh Jarboe, a highly-touted recruit, who originally signed with Oklahoma.
Arkansas State is 15th in passing offense at 303.5 yards, tops in the Sun Belt.
INJURIES
Hilton, arguably the best pro prospect in the conference, appeared to be back at full strength in the win over Akron. He caught 12 passes for 144 yards against the Zips for his fourth 100-yard receiving game this season.
The Golden Panther also expect a boost from the return of wide out Jacob Younger, who missed the Akron game.
Arkansas State is reporting no injuries.
LAST MEETING
Carroll connected on a 42-yard touchdown pass to Hilton with less than two minutes to play, lifting the Golden Panthers to a 31-24 win over Arkansas State. Florida International held Aplin to just 126 yards passing in the win.
TRENDS
Florida International is 1-8 ATS in its last nine October games.
Florida International is 9-13 ATS as a road dog under coach Mario Cristobal.
Florida International is 0-3 all-time in Jonesboro.
The Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings, with the games averaging 44.6 points.
The Under is 7-1 in Red Wolves’ last eight.
Arkansas State is 10-20 ATS in its last 30 conference games.
NCAAF Preview
Home team won last four FIU-Arkansas State games; Panthers lost last three visits to Jonesboro by 17-3-42 points. ASU is 4-2, with losses at Illinois (33-15, +18), Virginia Tech (26-7, +24)- they're 2-0 as a favorite this season. Panthers are 2-0 as underdogs this season, 2-0 on road, with wins at Louisville (24-17, +4), Akron (27-17, -19). State covered three of last four as home favorite- they won last two games, both conference road tilts, by total of nine points. FIU is 10-13 as road dog in Cristobal's tenure as coach, 3-2 in last five. Under is 5-0 in ASU's 2011 lined games. Home favorites are 4-6 vs spread in Sun Belt conference games.