Texas State was the favorite in a pivotal Group of Five clash last week. But the Bobcats surprised almost everyone by the way they triumphed.

With success on offense and defense, Texas State won in a 49-10 blowout over UTSA. The Bobcats are now 2-0 and are on track to compete for a Sun Belt title.

But before they play any conference games, they get a chance to face a Power Four team, Arizona State, and boost their case for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Arizona State vs. Texas State Betting Odds

Arizona State is a -1.5 college football betting odds favorite against Texas State, with the Over/Under being 59.5.

The moneyline for Arizona State is -120, while it’s +100 for Texas State.

Arizona State vs. Texas State On TV

The matchup between Arizona State and Texas State will be televised on ESPN.

The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 12. The contest is taking place at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, Texas.

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Arizona State vs. Texas State Prediction

I predict Texas State will win and cover the spread at +1.5. I also project the game will go Over 59.5 total points.

Texas State is in a great position to win this game. And when it comes to pulling off upsets like this, quarterbacks usually play a critical role. The Bobcats have the QB who could lead them to a victory here.

Jordan McCloud has been effective for Texas State thus far. He’s thrown for 547 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions on a 68% completion rate while rushing for 39 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.

The Bobcats also have a fantastic group of skill position players, including running back Ismail Mahdi, as well as a defense that limited UTSA to 334 yards and 10 total points.

Defeating Arizona State won’t be easy. The Sun Devils just beat Mississippi State last week. But I think Texas State is the better team, especially at home.

The Arizona Cardinals announced a multi-year partnership with Desert Financial Credit Union on Tuesday morning, continuing the franchise’s 20-year relationship with the company and making DFCU the Cardinals’ official commercial and retail banking partner.

“Both organizations are deeply rooted in this community and committed to making a positive impact,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in an announcement.

Desert Financial also holds the naming rights for Arizona State University’s Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, home of the Sun Devil basketball teams.

The deal with the Cardinals includes terms like the Desert Financial logo being displayed on the Cardinals’ practice jerseys and more.

Other pieces to the Cardinals’ partnership with Desert Financial Credit Union

• The local credit union is now the presenting partner of the Arizona Cardinals training camp and plans to enhance the fan experience for future seasons.
• DFCU will provide annual financial literacy education for members of the Cardinals organization and community partners.
• The company will become the exclusive provider of newly designed Cardinals-branded debit cards that will provide fans with benefits and deals at State Farm Stadium.
• Desert Financial will continue its community initiatives and charitable programs with the team, such as the annual “Civics Matters Arizona” program, which provides an all-expenses-paid, four-day trip to Washington, D.C. for more than 250 Arizona high school students to learn about civic engagement. The company will also add financial literacy to the program’s curriculum.

ARIZONA — The Arizona Cardinals are bringing a familiar face back to the facility.

Per the team’s media relations department:

“The Arizona Cardinals Football Club today announced that the team has signed defensive lineman Angelo Blackson to the practice squad and has released defensive lineman Tyler Manoa from the practice squad.”

Manoa was inked to the practice squad last week before being released today.

Arizona’s defensive line struggled in their Week 1 opener against the Buffalo Bills, and while this is only a practice squad move, perhaps some extra competition can be aded with Blackson’s presence.

More on his re-arrival via the Cardinals:

“Blackson (6-4, 318) returns to the Cardinals after he played 16 games (nine starts) with the team in 2020 when he had 24 tackles, 2.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits and four tackles for loss. A 10-year NFL veteran, Blackson has played with the Jaguars (2023), Beras (2021-22), Cardinals (2020), Texans (2017-19) and Titans (2015-16) after entering the league in the 2015 NFL Draft with Tennessee as a fourth-round selection (100th overall) from Auburn.

“For his career, Blackson has appeared in 128 games (42 starts) and has 179 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss, eight passes defensed, one interception, four fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He played in 11 games with Jacksonville last season and spent the preseason with Denver.

“Blackson will wear jersey #90.”

The Cardinals are back home this week to face the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium.

While no defensive lineman appeared to suffer injuries last week, cornerback Max Melton is currently going through concussion protocol while right tackle Jonah Williams’ knee status is still unknown after exiting in the first half against Buffalo.