The Fresno State Bulldogs (-14) are heading east to visit their in-conference foe New Mexico Lobos at Dreamstyle Stadium. The opening kickoff for this crucialgame is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and ESPNU has the TV rights.
Betting Preview: Fresno State Bulldogs vs. New Mexico Lobos
In this Saturday Mountain West game, Fresno State is projected as the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 14 points. The Bulldogs are also receiving -735 moneyline odds while the Lobos are +500. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 55.5 points, and there should be multiple decent live betting possibilities while this game is underway.
The over/under has not moved after it was set initially at 55.5. Having said that, the line opened at 16.5 so early action has leaned to the Lobos.
The profitable Bulldogs have gained 2.9 units so far and are 5-1 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have recorded an O/U mark of 1-4.
The Lobos have lost 0.6 units this season. The team is 3-3 ATS and four of its games have gone over the total.
The Bulldogs are 5-1 straight up (SU), including 2-0 SU against conference opponents. The Lobos are 3-3 SU overall and 1-1 SU in conference play.
The Bulldogs are coming off a resounding 27-3 victory over Wyoming last week where Marcus McMaryion completed 22-of-32 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Hokit (only 24 rushing yards on nine attempts) provided the ground attack while Jared Rice (seven receptions, 94 yards, one TD) and KeeSean Johnson (five catches, 51 yards) manned the receiving duties in the win.
A week ago, Colorado State took care of this New Mexico crew by a score of 20-18. Sheriron Jones completed 12-of-20 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Tyrone Owens (65 yards on 18 rush attempts) mounted the running attack as Elijah Lilly (three receptions, 50 yards, one TD) and Delane Hart-Johnson (three catches, 36 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Fresno State has run the ball on 53.3 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 48.7 percent across possessions in conference play. New Mexico has an overall rush percentage of 65.9 percent, and has kept it on the ground 69.9 percent of the time against MWC opponents. The Bulldogs have produced 132.7 rush yards/game (including 67.0 per game against Mountain West opponents) and have 16 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Lobos are averaging 198.5 rush yards per game (193.0 in conference) and have 14 total rushing TDs.
The Bulldogs offense has averaged 270.8 yards in the air overall (264.0 per game versus conference opposition) and has 12 passing scores so far. The Lobos have produced 234.3 pass yards per game (208 against MWC competition) and have 17 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Fresno State appears to have the upper hand in both phases. The team has allowed 121.0 rush yards and 180.2 pass yards per game. The New Mexico defense has allowed 271.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 171.8 yards per game on the ground. The Bulldogs are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 2.77 to opposing QBs, while the Lobos have given up a 5.75 ANY/A.
Offensively, McMaryion is up to 1,337 passing yards on the year, and has completed 71 percent of his 154 attempts with nine passing scores and only two interceptions. McMaryion has a sparkling 8.96 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 9.84 over the last two outings.
Sheriron Jones has completed 49-of-85 passes for 705 yards, eight TDs and six INTs for New Mexico. His ANY/A sits at 5.95 for the year and 12.16 over his last two games.
When these two teams met last year, Fresno State won soundly 38-0.
Fresno State Bulldogs at New Mexico Lobos NCAA Tip
SU Winner: New Mexico, ATS Winner: New Mexico, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The New Mexico D has tallied 15 sacks on the year while Fresno State has 13.
- The New Mexico offense has lost five fumbles in 2018 while Fresno State has let three get away.
- The Bulldogs offense has registered six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Lobos have put up eight such plays.
- The Fresno State defense has allowed three pass plays of 40+ yards, while New Mexico has given up eight such plays.
- The Fresno State offense has created six rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while New Mexico has created eight such runs.
- The Bulldogs defense has allowed two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Lobos have given up six such runs.
- The O/U for New Mexico’s previous outing was set at 63. The under cashed in the 20-18 defeat to Colorado State.
- Over its last three matchups, New Mexico is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- In its last three contests, Fresno State is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Fresno State’s last game going into it was 44. The under cashed in the team’s 27-3 victory over Wyoming.
- Fresno State, as a team, has averaged 3.4 yards per carry across its past three outings and 2.4 over its last two.
- New Mexico has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.1 over its past two.
