The San Jose State Spartans and Fresno State Bulldogs will go toe-to-toe on the turf at Bulldog Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on ESPNU and kickoff for this conference matchup is pegged for 7:00 p.m. ET. When the two teams met a year ago, Fresno State earned the win 27-10.
San Jose State Spartans at Fresno State Bulldogs Betting Preview
San Jose State is a heavy live dog here and is currently getting 31 points from oddsmakers. If the Bulldogs fall behind early it’ll create a reasonable live betting scenario. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 51 points.
The Spartans are 6-5 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 5.5 units so far. The team’s posted an O/U record of 5-5. The surprising Bulldogs have gained 3.5 units this season. The team is 8-3 ATS and has an O/U record of 2-8.
The Spartans are 1-10 straight up (SU), including 1-6 SU against MWC opponents. The Bulldogs are 9-2 SU overall and 6-1 SU in conference play.
The Spartans hope to get back in stride after a 21-12 defeat to Nevada last week in which Michael Carrillo completed 17-of-26 passes for only 168 yards, two scores and one interception. The Spartans produced a grand total of 30 rushing yards as a team in the loss.
Fresno State just earned a 23-14 win over San Diego State. The defense held its territory in the victory, keeping the Aztecs to only 218 passing yards and 64 yards on the ground. Fred Trevillion was on a different level for San Diego State, putting up 189 yards and two touchdowns on four catches. For Fresno State, Marcus McMaryion completed 17-of-24 passes for 267 yards and one touchdown. Ronnie Rivers (78 yards on 22 rush attempts, one TD) mounted the running game while KeeSean Johnson (10 receptions, 141 yards) and Jamire Jordan (two catches, 94 yards, one TD) led the receiving corps in the win.
San Jose State has run the ball on 45.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Fresno State has an overall rush percentage of 53.1 percent. The Spartans have run for 62 yards/game (including 66 per game versus Mountain West opponents) and have eight scores on the ground this year. The Bulldogs are averaging 144 rushing yards per game (132 in conference) and have 26 total rush TDs.
If 2018 results are any indication, then it seems like the Bulldogs could own the edge in terms of RB efficiency. Their backfield has generated 4.0 yards per carry while the defense has allowed 3.6 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Spartans have rushed for 2.0 yards per carry while allowing 4.7 YPC to opponents.
The Spartans offensive scheme has logged 257 yards per game through the air overall (280 per game against conference opposition) and has 19 passing TDs so far. The Bulldogs have recorded 280 pass yards per outing (282.9 against MWC foes) and have 23 total pass scores.
Defensively, San Jose State has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 212 yards and pass for 281 yards per game. The Fresno State D has given up 190.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 127.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Bulldogs are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.15 to opponents, while the Spartans have allowed a 7.53 ANY/A.
Offensively, Carrillo is up to 193 passing yards this year, and has connected on 20-of-33 attempts with two passing scores and two interceptions. He has a 2.68 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 8.20 over the last two games.
Look for a balanced attack offensively from San Jose State in this one. Tre Walker (389 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns this season), Josh Oliver (605 receiving yards, four receiving TDs) and Tyler Nevens (446 rush yards, four rush TDs) have each played significant roles of late.
In the other huddle, Marcus McMaryion has connected on 214-of-302 passes for 2,683 yards, 21 TDs and three INTs. McMaryion’s ANY/A stands at 9.45 for the year and 8.60 over his last two games.
KeeSean Johnson (999 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns on the year), Ronnie Rivers (343 rush yards, six rush TDs, 173 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Jamire Jordan (373 receiving yards, three receiving TDs) have combined to account for 513 total yards and four touchdowns over the past couple of games.
RELATED: Week 13 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Tip: San Jose State Spartans at Fresno State Bulldogs
SU Winner – Fresno State, ATS Winner – San Jose State, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Fresno State defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs 18 times this season. San Jose State has recorded just 11 sacks.
Fresno State has lost three fumbles in 2018 while the San Jose State offense has let six get away.
The Spartans offense has produced 12 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have accounted for eight such plays.
The San Jose State defense has allowed 12 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Fresno State has given up eight such plays.
The San Jose State offense has created four rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Fresno State has created 11 such runs.
The Spartans defense has allowed 19 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have given up three such runs.
The Over/Under for Fresno State’s previous game was 42. The under cashed in the team’s 23-14 win over San Diego State.
Over its last three games, Fresno State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
Over its last three matchups, San Jose State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Fresno State has won nine of its last 10 games SU, with a -7-point defeat to Boise State on November 9th representing the only loss over that span.
The O/U for San Jose State’s previous game going into it was 58.5. The under cashed in the team’s 21-12 defeat to Nevada.
San Jose State has averaged 2.2 yards per carry over its last three outings and 1.9 over its last two.
Fresno State has averaged 4.0 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.2 over its past two.
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