Middle Tennessee vs. Arkansas State 2017 Camellia Bowl Odds & Prediction

Written by on December 12, 2017

NCAA Football Betting News
The 2017 Camellia Bowl odds favorite Arkansas State Red Wolves may have won one more game than the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders as they get set for their 2017 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl matchup on Saturday, December 16 at 8:00 PM ET, but if they want to finish off their season in style, they’re going to have to bring their A game against their bowl game opponents. Now, let’s find out if they can do just that coming in as the 3.5 favorite!

Red Wolves (7-4) vs. Blue Raiders (6-6) 2017 Camellia Bowl Odds & Prediction

  • When: Saturday, December 16, 2017, 8:00 PM ET
  • Where: Cramton Bowl
  • TV: ESPN
  • Radio: 107.9 FM (Arkansas State) / 89.5 (Middle Tennessee)
  • Live Stream: Watch ESPN
  • Camellia Bowl Odds: Arkansas State Red Wolves -3.5 (Over/Under at 62)

Weather Forecast

  • Partly Cloudy: 4°C/40°F
  • Humidity: 84%
  • Precipitation: 4%
  • Cloud Cover: 37%
  • Wind: 2 mph S

2017 AutoNation Cure Bowl Betting Lines & Preview: WKU vs. Georgia State

Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)

  • Record: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders lead 6-4
  • Score: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 27.10 / Arkansas State Red Wolves 24.10
  • Rush Yards: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 135.50 / Arkansas State Red Wolves 147.20
  • Pass Attempts: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 31.30 / Arkansas State Red Wolves 30.20
  • Completion Percentage: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 62.62 / Arkansas State Red Wolves 57.95
  • Passing Yards: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 234.50 / Arkansas State Red Wolves 217.70
  • Total Yards: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 370.00 / Arkansas State Red Wolves 364.9
  • Turnovers: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 1.80 / Arkansas State Red Wolves 2.10

Why consider the Blue Raiders Camellia Bowl Odds?

Why bet on Middle Tennessee in this contest? Well, because they’ve played better football down the stretch than Arkansas State. Middle Tennessee won three of the last four games to close out the regular season and comes into this bowl game matchup off a 41-10 blowout win over Old Dominion on Nov. 25 the last time they took the field. Sophomore running back Terrelle West set career highs with 26 carries, 170 yards, and two touchdowns to help Middle Tennessee become bowl eligible. The Blue Raiders managed to win six games despite being without star quarterback Brent Stockstill for a big part of the season. Middle Tennessee averaged 24.8 points per game (91st) but gave up almost as many defensively (24.3 ppg, 112th). Despite playing in just six games, Stockstill passed for 1,440 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions while running back Brad Anderson and Tavares Thomas rushed for 458 and 243 yards respectively with Thomas finding the end zone eight times.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Average Score For: 24.75
  • Total Yards: 396.84
  • Rush Yards: 144.17
  • Passing Yards: 252.67
Defense
  • Average Score Against: 24.25
  • Total Yards: 348.58
  • Rush Yards: 136.58
  • Passing Yards: 212.00

Why consider the Red Wolves Camellia Bowl Odds?

Why bet on the Red Wolves in this contest? Well, because they’ve got a ton of motivation after seeing their modest winning streak snapped in heartbreaking fashion in their finale. Arkansas State lost an absolute heartbreaker to Troy in their 32-25 season-ending loss on Dec. 2 as the Trojans scored from 14 yards out on fourth-and-5. The Red Wolves went 2-2 over their final four games to finish third in the Sun Belt Conference. Arkansas State dominates the 2017 Camellia Bowl Odds. Still, the Red Wolves averaged a stupendous 38.5 points per contest this season (15th) while allowing 24.9 points per game defensively (51st). Quarterback Justice Hansen threw for 3,635 yards with 34 TD passes, but also 15 interceptions while running back Warren Wand led the team with a modest 660 rushing yards in Arkansas State’s pass-first offensive attack.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Average Score For: 38.55
  • Total Yards: 498.37
  • Rush Yards: 157.64
  • Passing Yards: 340.73
Defense
  • Average Score Against: 24.91
  • Total Yards: 381.18
  • Rush Yards: 138.91
  • Passing Yards: 242.27

Latest Camellia Bowl Betting Trends

  • Blue Raiders are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games
  • Blue Raiders are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Arkansas State
  • The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Middle Tennessee’s last 12 games
  • Red Wolves are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing Middle Tennessee
  • Red Wolves are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arkansas State’s last 6 games

Expert Analysis and Prediction

Despite their status as slight underdogs, a solid 64 percent of public bettors like Arkansas State in this contest – and so do I! The Red Wolves can score the ball with any team in the country and I believe they’re highly motivated after suffering a heartbreaking loss against Troy in one of the most exciting finishes of any college football game this season. Middle Tennessee is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games while Arkansas State has gone 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games. With the Blue Raiders going just 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings against Arkansas State and the Red Wolves look to rebound from their heartbreaking loss to troy, I like Arkansas State to cover the chalk by winning outright! Pick: Arkansas State Red Wolves -3.5