The New Mexico State Aggies take on the Idaho Vandals this week in a game that will feature the SBC’s second-leading rusher, Larry Rose III (867 yards, 6 TDs), and leading passer, Matt Linehan (1,604 yards, 8 TDs). Winners of three of its last five, Idaho (3-4) has shown signs of life as of late, following what has been a less than spectacular season. The game kicks off Saturday, Oct 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be shown on ESP3.
In last week’s matchup, New Mexico State had an ugly loss against Troy 52-7. Larry Rose III had a great game running the ball in the loss, rushing 21 times for 180 yards. He was a threat catching the ball with 67 yards and a TD on five catches. Idaho is hoping for another victory like last week’s performance, when it defeated Louisiana-Monroe 27-13. Deon Watson had a huge game for the Vandals, pulling in three receptions for 72 yards and two TDs. Elijhaa Penny had a great game as well, adding 184 rushing yards on 36 carries.
Idaho is a small three-point favorite as they take on the Aggies.
Sitting at 0-7 Straight Up (SU) and 2-5 Against The Spread (ATS), the Aggies will look to improve heading into Week 9. In their five most recent matchups, the Aggies went 0-5 SU and 2-3 ATS. The New Mexico State running game is averaging 207.2 rushing yards during its last five matchups. During their last five games, the Aggies gave up 223.8 passing yards per game.
In the other locker room, the Vandals head into Week 9 with records of 4-3 ATS and 3-4 SU. Over their last five games, the Vandals have a SU record of 3-2 and a 4-1 record ATS for those betting with them. Chances are Idaho will rely on its passing attack against a defense that allows 267.6 passing yards per game, ranking 105th in the nation. During their last five games, the Vandals have done a better job of keeping their opponents off the scoreboard. They’re allowing 37.7 PPG, but have given up an average of 32 over their last five. Over the last five games, the Vandals have turned it up on defense, allowing an average of 162.2 passing yards per game. They are trending in the right direction from their 221.1 season average. Idaho has been good at avoiding penalties this season. The team only receives five per game on average, the 21st-fewest in the country.
Predictions: SU Winner – Idaho, ATS Winner – Idaho
Notes
New Mexico State is 2-11 ATS in its last 13 games.
New Mexico State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New Mexico State’s last 8 games.
New Mexico State is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home.
New Mexico State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home.
New Mexico State is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Idaho.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Mexico State’s last 7 games when playing Idaho.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Mexico State’s last 6 games when playing at home against Idaho.
Idaho is 3-0 SU when leading at the half this season. New Mexico State is 0-2 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
New Mexico State is 0-2 SU in games where it wins the turnover battle, and also winless (0-3 SU) when losing the turnover battle.
