The San Jose State Spartans (+28) aren’t traveling far to face their MWC counterpart San Diego State Aztecs at SDCCU Stadium. This showdown will kick off fairly late for those on the East Coast (10:30 p.m. ET) and fans can catch the action by tuning in to CBS Sports Network.
Betting Preview: San Diego State Aztecs vs. San Jose State Spartans
San Jose State is a heavy road dog here and is currently getting 28 points by oddsmakers. If the Aztecs get down early on it will generate a nice in-game betting opportunity. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 48 points.
Early action has slanted to the under, as the game’s over/under initially opened at 51.
The hapless Spartans are down 4.5 units so far in 2018 and 2-4 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U mark of 3-2.
The surprising Aztecs are up 6.6 units this season. They’re 2-4 ATS and have an O/U record of 1-5.
The Spartans have gone 0-6 straight up (SU), including 0-2 SU against conference opponents. The Aztecs are 5-1 SU overall and 2-0 SU in conference play.
The Spartans dropped one to Army West Point 52-3 in a thumping where the passing attack was on point, as Montel Aaron completed 12 passes on 17 attempts for only 118 yards. Tyler Nevens (43 rushing yards on 11 attempts) led the running attack. Thai Cottrell (three receptions, 27 yards) and Leki Nunn (three catches, 24 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
San Diego State just earned a 21-17 win over Air Force. Ryan Agnew completed nine-of-25 passes for 213 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Chase Jasmin (70 rushing yards on 18 attempts, one TD) spearheaded the running game while Fred Trevillion (three receptions, 94 yards) and Tim Wilson Jr. (three catches, 50 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
San Jose State has run the ball on 45.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while San Diego State has an overall rush percentage of 66.4 percent. The Spartans have produced 50.3 rush yards per game (including 43.5 per game versus Mountain West opponents) and have six scores on the ground this year. The Aztecs are putting up 171.8 rush yards per game (119.0 in conference) and have nine total rushing TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then it seems like the Aztecs ought to hold an edge in all aspects of the ground game, since their running backs has produced 4.0 yards per carry while their defense has allowed a YPC of 2.5 to opponents. The Spartans have recorded 1.6 yards per carry while allowing 4.1 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Spartans offensive scheme has averaged 259.2 yards in the air overall (344.0 per game versus conference opposition) and has 10 passing TDs so far. The Aztecs have produced 169.2 pass yards per game (163 in the MWC) and have four total pass scores.
Defensively, San Jose State has allowed opponents to run for an average of 182.5 yards and pass for 290.3 yards per game. The San Diego State defense has allowed 221.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 87.2 yards per game on the ground. The Aztecs are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.81 to opposing QBs, while the Spartans have given up a 6.67 ANY/A.
Offensively, Love is up to 1,030 passing yards on the year, and has connected on 50 percent of his 149 attempts with eight passing scores and five interceptions. Love’s got a 5.35 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 3.64 over the past two outings.
Ryan Agnew has managed to complete 44-of-88 passes for 677 yards, four TDs and four INTs for San Diego State. His ANY/A stands at 5.46 for the year and 5.48 over his past two outings.
When these two programs met a year ago, San Diego State knocked San Jose State off soundly 52-7.
San Jose State Spartans vs. San Diego State Aztecs Free Pick
SU Winner: San Diego State, ATS Winner: San Jose State, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The O/U for San Jose State’s previous game going into it was 50.5. The over cashed in the team’s 52-3 defeat to Army West Point.
- San Jose State has produced 1.2 yards per carry over its last three games and 1.3 over its last two.
- San Diego State has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.1 over its last two.
- San Diego State has lost four fumbles this season while San Jose State has let five get away.
- In its last three contests, San Jose State is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for San Diego State’s last game was set at 42.5. The under cashed in the team’s 21-17 victory over Air Force.
- Over its last three matchups, San Diego State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Spartans offense has recorded nine pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Aztecs have put up one such play.
- The San Jose State defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 yards or more, while San Diego State has given up six such plays.
- The San Jose State offense has created two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while San Diego State has created 12 such runs.
- The Spartans defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Aztecs have given up two such runs.
- The San Diego State defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs 12 times this season. San Jose State has registered eight sacks.
