Iowa State Cyclones vs Arizona State Sun Devils Prediction, Odds and Picks for Saturday, 12/07/24

The Big 12 Championship game will be played in Arlington in AT&T Stadium, and it brings us a matchup no one expected when the season opened. Our Iowa State Cyclones vs Arizona State Sun Devils prediction is a do-or-die game for both teams, as the only path into the CFP is to win this game. Iowa State comes in on a 3-game winning streak, most recently beating Kansas State in a cold game to end the season. Arizona State has won 5 in a row, and they seem to just get better each week. I expect this game to be a battle, and so do the books, setting this line at -2 for the Sun Devils. Normally I would pounce on a number like that, but this might be a spot where paying a little extra juice to take the straight Money Line is worth it. My Iowa State vs Arizona State pick is Arizona State on the Money Line at -130.

These two teams match strengths and weaknesses well. Iowa State is more effective throwing the ball than running it, and ASU is better against the run than the pass. I expect the Cyclones to go nowhere on the ground, and they will be forced out of balance to throw more. On the other side, the opposite is true. Iowa State is #3 in the nation in passing yards allowed, but they are 96^th against the run. The Sun Devils are 24^th in the country in rushing attack, and middle of the road passing. Both teams will be able to play to their offensive strengths. That also means that if Iowa State gets ahead by more than one score, the Sun Devils will be in trouble; but if ASU builds a lead, Iowa State might still be able to catch up. Overall, I think this Arizona State team is way better than people give them credit for, and I love what Kenny Dillingham is doing there. I expect the Sun Devils to win a close battle, and I am really hoping it doesn’t come down to a late field goal—remember, this is the coach who called for open tryouts for a placekicker earlier in the season. Still, give me the human battering ram Cam Skattebo to bully his team to victory and into the playoffs. Sun Devils win.

Iowa State vs Arizona State prediction: Arizona State ML (-130) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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