Arizona State vs. Wyoming Prediction, Preview

Week 1 of the college football season is here. Arizona State plays Wyoming and Heartland College Sports has your game prediction, preview and betting odds ahead of the clash.

GAME INFORMATION

Saturday, August 31; 9:30 p.m. (CT); Mountain America Stadium; Tempe, AZ

TV: FS1

Records: Arizona State (0-0), Wyoming (0-0)

Last week: N/A

Series history: Arizona State leads, 9-6

Last meeting: Arizona State 45, Wyoming 0 (1977)

Fun fact: Arizona State and Wyoming have played each other 15 times, including consecutive years from 1965 to 1977 when the two programs were members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

KEY PLAYERS

Wyoming Cowboys

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

TE John Michael Gyllenborg: When you look at the Wyoming football roster, tight end John Michael Gyllenborg immediately stands out. At 6'5″, 250 pounds, Gyllenborg has a sub-4.7-second 40-yard dash and a 36-foot-5 vertical leap. Last season, he caught 23 passes for 360 yards with three touchdowns, including an 89-yard catch-and-run against Hawaii. His name will almost certainly be a household name come April, but don't overlook the impact he could have in a game like this.

Defender

Defensive player Jordan Bertagnole: Bertagnole returns after starting all 13 games for Wyoming in 2023 and earning Second-Team All-Mountain West honors. He ranked fifth on the team with 60 tackles, but led the team with 5.5 tackles for loss and also recorded two sacks. In 2024, Bertagnole was named to the Preseason First-Team All-MWC team and has even higher performance expectations in his final season.

Arizona State Sun Devils

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

RB Cam Skattebo: Arizona State's offense will have one of the most versatile weapons in all of college football with the return of Cam Skattebo at running back. In 2023, Skattebo was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award after logging over 50 snaps as a quarterback, over 350 as a running back, two as a tight end, over 100 as a slot receiver or wide receiver, three as a kick returner and over five in punt coverage, according to his bio. While the offense's maximum will likely be determined by Sam Leavitt at quarterback, the minimum will be increased as long as Skattebo is on the field.

Defender

DB Shamari Simmons: One of the key returning starters for ASU in 2024 is defensive back Shamari Simmons, who led the Sun Devils with 73 tackles last season. In addition, Simmons recorded one sack, six pass breakups, one interception and two fumble recoveries. Arizona State's defense will look very different with double-digit transfers bolstering that side of the ball, but Simmons and the secondary should be pretty solid with key returners.

MAIN STORYLINES

Wyoming Cowboys

What does Wyoming look like in the post-Craig Bohl era? After spending a decade with the Cowboys, Bohl hung up his whistle last season and now Jay Sawvel takes over. Wyoming has often been a tough opponent over the past decade, but sometimes the sudden departure of a longtime coach can cause a culture to fall apart. Can Wyoming avoid regression and beat a Big 12 team for the second year in a row?

Arizona State Sun Devils

Can Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils get off to the fast start they need? After a 9-3 loss last season, Arizona State will be switching gears and joining a Big 12 Conference that seems as wide open as ever. Many people believe Dillingham is the right man for the job in Tempe, but this game will be crucial for ASU's 2024 season. It won't be often this year that ASU goes into a game as the betting favorite, but this is one of those moments. They need to take advantage of this situation and secure a win to start the season 1-0.

Arizona State vs. Wyoming Betting Odds

Line: Arizona State (-6.5) | O/U: 48.5 | Moneyline: Wyoming +200 | ESPN Matchup Prediction: Arizona State (72.4%)

Kenny Dillingham and Arizona State have a tough task ahead of them this week as Wyoming comes to town. Craig Bohl is gone, however, and Jay Sawvel is taking over. The Sun Devils have everything to prove in their first season in the Big 12, and the Cowboys will be a good benchmark. I'm definitely picking ASU, but Wyoming is staying close.

Picks – SU: Arizona State | ATS: Wyoming (+6.5) | O/U: Below 48.5

PREDICTION: Arizona State 27, Wyoming 21