The McNeese Cowboys take on the Tarleton State Texans on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
The Texans enter Saturday as 17.5-point favorites, while the over/under sits at 60.5. I have McNeese vs. Tarleton State predictions on the total utilizing updated odds from FanDuel.
Find my McNeese vs. Tarleton State picks for college football Week 0 below.
McNeese vs Tarleton State Prediction
- McNeese vs Tarleton State Pick:Over 60.5
My McNeese vs. Tarleton State best bet is over on the full-game total, with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
McNeese vs Tarleton State Odds
| McNeese State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+17.5 -110 | 60.5 -110o / -110u | +550 |
| Tarleton State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-17.5 -110 | 60.5 -110o / -110u | -800 |
The spread sits at Tarleton State -17.5, while the over/under comes in at 60.5.
Joshua Nunn's McNeese vs Tarleton State Preview
McNeese Cowboys Betting Preview: McDowell Offers Promise
In 2023, McNeese returned only a handful of starters from a 2022 team that finished 4-7, and the offensive losses were massive.
The Cowboys lost their 1,400-yard rusher, top two receivers, dealt with quarterback injuries throughout the season and went through a transition period on the offensive line. Defensively, it returned four starters in 2023 from an already overmatched unit, and production slipped as they allowed 418 yards and 34 points per game last season.
The team was far from competitive, with only one of those seven losses coming by one score or less.
Things are different this year, though.
McNeese will now rely heavily on 15 returning starters and some key additions via the transfer portal, most notably former Montana quarterback Clifton McDowell, who started for a Griz team that made the FCS Championship.
Another key transfer is former top-rated high-school recruit TreVonte' Citizen, who came in from Miami. He has a chance to make a big and immediate impact in the running game.
The skill group returns four of its top five receivers from last year, and it has more continuity on the offensive line.
With those pieces in place, the addition of McDowell gives the seasoned quarterback a chance to add value to a locker room searching for an identity this season.
Ultimately, the offense should be much improved from last year.
The defense is a mixed bag, but the Cowboys do have five players with returning experience on the defensive line, including Earenest Grayson III and Welland Williams, who could show significant improvement.
The linebacker group will rely on Ivy League newcomer Marques White from Dartmouth to help support FCS All-American Micah Davey, who ranked second in all of FCS last season with 153 tackles. Davey is a do-it-all veteran who may have a future at the next level, but he can't do it all himself. He'll need help after the Pokes proved to be leaky in 2023.
The secondary is experienced with all seven cornerbacks returning, along with safety transfer Tristan Driggers from ULM.
Tarleton State Texans Betting Preview: Offense Should Be Electric
Last season, the Texans really found their stride on offense largely due to the success of Victor Gabalis and a passing attack that shredded Southland Conference opponents all year.
Gabalis is back under center, along with stud running back Kayvon Britten — who rushed for over 1,100 yards in 2023 — and four of the top five receivers from last year's explosive offense.
Another offensive strength will be in the trench, as all five starters return, giving them continuity right out of the gate.
Ten starters in all return for a Tarleton State offense that will only get better. If all goes as planned, the Texans should average over 35 points per game in 2024.
Tarleton's defense was a middling bunch last year, allowing 24.4 points per game and yielding 364 YPG — average FCS numbers.
On the bright side, though, it did have a few solid road performances in the conference in road wins at Southeastern Louisiana and Central Arkansas.
The issue this year is that only four starters return, along with just five of their 14 top tacklers from a season ago.
There will also be position battles at cornerback and linebacker that will be crucial in determining if this defense will improve at all or if the offense will have to win high-scoring affairs every week.
My McNeese vs Tarleton State Prediction
McNeese vs Tarleton State Best Bet
I fully expect the defenses to struggle in this game.
For as bad as McNeese was in 2023, it actually led last year's contest, 24-17, in the third quarter before Tarleton put up five straight touchdowns to blow the game wide open. McNeese didn't quit, however, scoring twice in the last two minutes to make the final score 52-34.
Tarleton State is going to be weaker on defense this season, especially early on as it attempts to find ways to fill holes. McNeese, meanwhile, will have much-improved quarterback play and will throw a few punches here.
I don't see the Cowboys having much defensive success against a Texans offense that was explosive last year and should be even better this time around
I'll take the over at 63 or better.
McNeese vs Tarleton State Pick: Over 60.5 (Play to 63)
How to Watch McNeese vs Tarleton State: Start Time, Channel, Location
| Location: | Memorial Stadium, Stephenville, TX |
| Date: | Saturday, August 24, 2024 |
| Kickoff: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV/Streaming: | ESPN2 |
