Hawai’i Bowl – San Jose State vs Coastal Carolina Free Picks
Coastal Carolina vs San Jose State
Coastal Carolina is back bowling, but potential transfers have left its roster in flux. Will it be too much to overcome? That’s the question surrounding the Chanticleers as they prepare to face San Jose State in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 23.
The betting market continues to trend toward San Jose State, which has climbed from 7.5- to 10-point favorites since college football odds opened. The Spartans are also -380 on the moneyline, with Coastal Carolina +300 to win outright. The projected total is down a tick to 53.5 after opening at 54.5.
Read on as we break down both NCAAF teams and give our Coastal Carolina vs San Jose St pick.
Day/Time:
Location: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex; Honolulu
Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
Transfers Ravaging Chanticleers
Grayson McCall is in the NCAA transfer portal for the second straight offseason, leaving Coastal Carolina to turn to Plan B at quarterback. Backups Jarrett Guest and Ethan Vasko split reps down the stretch after McCall was injured midseason, but Guest also now plans to transfer.
While both college football players performed adequately, neither possesses the upside of McCall, a three-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.
McCall, a fifth-year senior, missed Coastal Carolina’s last five games after suffering a head injury against Arkansas State on Oct. 21. He’d thrown for 1,919 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions this season and is up to 10,005 ing yards as a collegian.
The Chanticleers went 3-2 ATS and OU in his absence, with losses to Army and James Madison the last two games. They were 8-4 ATS for the NCAAF season, separating themselves as one of the more profitable teams for bettors.
With both McCall and Guest departing, it’ll be up to Vasko, a third-string freshman, to continue Coastal Carolina’s success. Vasko started against James Madison, completing 21 of 29 es for 254 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 45 yards and a score.
Jared Brown, the Chanticleers’ second-leading receiver, and linebacker JT Killen also intend to transfer and won’t play in the bowl. Be sure to keep an eye on more potential opt-outs when assessing our Coastal Carolina vs San Jose St pick.
Streaking Spartans Have Plenty to Prove
college football standings, having won six straight games following a 1-5 start. Although they clinched a share of the Mountain West Conference title, the Spartans were ed over for the conference championship game by way of a computer ranking system.
That alone should motivate San Jose State to prove it belongs.
Like Coastal Carolina, the Spartans will need to overcome some key departures. Left tackle Fernando Carmona and tight end Dominick Mazotti, the team’s second leading receiver, both intend to transfer. Receiver Branden Alvarez also won’t play. But the Spartans should at least have Chevan Cordeiro back at quarterback.
San Jose State is averaging 46.4 points during its winning streak, having beaten opponents by an average of 22.5 points. It’s 5-1 ATS over its last six college football games and 8-3-1 overall. Keep that in mind when analyzing our Coastal Carolina vs San Jose St pick.
No McCall, No Guest, Big Problems
Tim Beck’s done well to keep Coastal Carolina afloat amidst injuries and get the Chanticleers back to a bowl for the fourth straight season. But they began to lose some steam down the stretch, with losses to Army and James Madison. Although they’ve had some time to regather, the impending departures of McCall and Guest are sure to throw another wrench in their plans.
Bowl season’s often unpredictable, but without multiple key starters, it’s hard seeing Coastal Carolina keep pace with San Jose State and its big-play offense (33.3 PPG). Thus, we’re taking the Spartans to stay hot and cover as 10-point favorites and -380 on the moneyline.
For those same reasons, we’re leaning toward the Under of 53.5. , Coastal Carolina has gone Under the projected total in eight of its 12 games.
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