Dameon Gamblin and the New Mexico Lobos battle Kent Myers and the Utah State Aggies in a game that will feature two of the best players in the MWC. Utah State (5-3) is hoping to ride its recent wave of success into this game. The Aggies have won four of their last five. The game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov 7 and will be available on CBSS.
In its last game before the bye, New Mexico lost to San Jose State 31-21. Teriyon Gipson had a huge game running the ball in the loss, rushing nine times for 99 yards and one TD. Utah State is hoping for another victory like last week’s performance, when it won big over Wyoming 58-27. Wyatt Houston had a great game for the Aggies, pulling in four receptions for 66 yards and two TDs. Devante Mays had a great game as well, adding 176 rushing yards and two TDs on 22 carries.
The Aggies take on the Lobos as a 14-point favorite this week. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is unavailable currently.
Sitting at 4-4 Straight Up (SU) and 3-5 Against The Spread (ATS), the Lobos will look to improve heading into Week 10. In their five most recent matchups, the Lobos went 3-2 SU and 1-4 ATS. The New Mexico running game is averaging 248.0 rushing yards during its last five matchups. During their last five games, the Lobos have also improved their pass coverage, giving up an average of 203.2 passing yards. If the Aggies want to win this game, they will have to keep New Mexico from taking the ball away. The Lobos have the 23rd-most fumbles recovered per game in the nation with 0.9. In the first quarter, New Mexico is tough to stop, putting up 10 points in the first 15 minutes.
In the other locker room, the Aggies head into Week 10 with records of 5-3 for both ATS and SU. Over their last five games, the Aggies have a SU and ATS record of 4-1 for those betting with them. Utah State has made opposing defenses pay lately, averaging 42 points per game over the last five games. This improved stretch brought its season average to 32.0 PPG. The defensive front seven better be ready for Utah State’s bruising rushing attack which has averaged 223.2 yards on the ground over its past five games. Shifting to the other side of the ball, it might be tough for the Lobos to keep up with Utah State’s defense in a few areas. Utah State’s pass defense ranks 20th in the nation. This menacing unit gives up just 181.2 yards per game through the air. The Lobos might be leery of ball security against the Aggies. They rank sixth in the country in fumbles recovered with 1.1 per game. The Lobos will have to stay focused in the second quarter against Utah State. The Aggies usually finish off the first half with dominance, averaging 13.9 points during the second quarter.
Predictions: SU Winner – Utah State, ATS Winner – New Mexico
Notes
New Mexico is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
New Mexico is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games.
New Mexico is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games at home.
New Mexico is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Mexico’s last 6 games at home.
Utah State is 4-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. New Mexico is 2-0 SU when leading after three quarters.
Remarkably, New Mexico is winless (0-2 SU) in games where it wins the turnover battle, yet undefeated (3-0 SU) when losing the turnover battle.
The New Mexico offensive passing attack is ranked only 123rd in the nation, while the Utah State pass defense is ranked 20th. The Aggies passing game is ranked just 101st, compared to the 53rd-ranked pass defense of the Lobos.
