Southeast Missouri State (0-0) vs Arkansas State (0-0)
August 30, 2025 at 07:00 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Arkansas State -10.5 — Over/Under:
The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks and Arkansas State Red Wolves meet Saturday in college football action at Sutter Health Park. Here’s a Southeast Missouri State vs Arkansas State Prediction. This article will include a Southeast Missouri State vs Arkansas State Pick.
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks Betting Preview
The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks won nine games last season and enter the 12th season under coach Tom Matukewicz. The Redhawks have a first year offensive coordinator in John Holt.
Southeast Missouri State will have to replace quarterback Paxton DeLaurent, who threw for 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns last season. The good news is that leading rusher Payton Brown returns, as the same for receivers Cam Pedro and Donnie Cheers. There are playmakers on this SEMO offense, it’s just a matter of finding a quarterback to replace some very big shoes.
Defensively, Southeast Missouri State says goodbye to its top-three tacklers, which means McCoy Casey is the leading returning tackler, who also had five sacks. Nasim Cairo is back after four sacks and Jeremy Walton had 3.5 sacks and two pass deflections. Justus Johnson had a couple of interceptions and four pass deflections, while Landon Sylvie had three pass deflections. It could be a step back season for Southeast Missouri State overall, but there’s talent on the defensive side of the ball.
Arkansas State Red Wolves Betting Preview
The Arkansas State Red Wolves won eight games last season and enter the fifth year under coach Butch Jones. It was Arkansas State’s first winning season since 2019.
Quarterback Jaylen Raynor returns for a third season and has 5,300 yards and 33 touchdowns under his belt. Receiver Corey Rucker is coming off a 1,000-yard performance, and he has help with Mississippi State transfer JJ Harrell joining the squad. Running back Ja’Quez Cross has averaged 5.6 yards per carry the last two seasons, and Arkansas State has one of the best offensive lines in the Sun Belt, led by Makilan Thomas and Jacob Bayer.
Defensively, new defensive coordinator Griff McCarley will be calling the shots. Arkansas State lost oodles of production, which makes it difficult to count on early in the season. Bryan Whitehead returns after producing four sacks last season and is the team’s leading returning tackler. Highly recruited cornerback and Utah State transfer Avante Dickerson joins the Red Wolves, as well as Marshalls AG McGhee and Michigan State’s Aaron Alexander. This side of the ball has endless new faces, and it may take some time to come together.
Why the Arkansas State Red Wolves will win
- Arkansas State has won each of its last eight home games against non-FBS teams.
- Arkansas State has covered the spread in four of its last five home games against non-FBS teams.
Why the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks will win
- Arkansas State has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents at Centennial Bank Stadium.
Arkansas State Red Wolves Player Prop Facts
- Ethan Crawford had the most passing yards without a passing touchdown last season (849).
Southeast Missouri State vs Arkansas State Prediction
Southeast Missouri State has playmakers on offense but doesn’t have a quarterback, which can be an issue in this spot. Arkansas State has the offensive pieces to hit the ground running and has a great offensive line. I have my concerns about Southeast Missouri State having enough offensive firepower to keep up. We’re not being asked to lay anything crazy. Arkansas State’s offense will be the difference in this spot. I’ll lay the points.