In a matchup between two teams looking to extend their respective winning streaks, the Utah State Aggies (4-2) travel to play the San Diego State Aztecs (4-3). Both teams are hot, with each team having won three in a row. This game will feature the MWC’s third-leading rusher, Donnel Pumphrey (729 yards, 8 TDs). It starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct 23 and will air on ESP2.
San Diego State routed San Jose State 30-7 last week. Donnel Pumphrey had an outstanding performance on the ground in the win, rushing for 152 yards and one TD on 20 carries. He had some success as a receiver with 55 yards and a TD on three receptions. Not to be outdone, Utah State blew out Boise State 52-26. Hunter Sharp had a solid game for the Aggies, totaling seven receptions for 42 yards and two TDs. Kent Myers added 157 yards and three TDs through the air.
Oddsmakers have deemed the San Diego State and Utah State game as an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable.
Heading into Week 8 of the college football season, the Aztecs are 4-3 Straight Up (SU) and 3-4 Against The Spread (ATS). The Aztecs are known to have an efficient rushing attack. Their 45.1 rushing attempts per game are the 24th-most in the nation. As for the San Diego State defense, there are important areas to keep an eye on. Expect the 10th-ranked Aztecs run defense to cause headaches for the Aggies run game. The Aztecs give up 94.4 rushing yards per game. The Aggies need to watch out for San Diego State’s coverage in the passing game. They average the 17th-most interceptions with 1.4 per game.
Across the field, the Aggies have a record of 4-2 for both ATS and SU. Lately, the Aggies have had a better run defense. They’re allowing only 98.8 rushing YPG over their last five matchups. The Aztecs need to protect their quarterback against the sack-happy Aggies. The Utah State defense ranks 17th in the country in sacks with three per game. The Aggies have a habit of pouring it on before they go into halftime. They average 14.7 points during the second quarter, ranking seventh in Division I.
Predictions: SU Winner – Utah State, ATS Winner – Utah State
Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of San Diego State’s last 20 games.
San Diego State is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home.
San Diego State is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games at home.
Utah State is 3-0 SU when leading at the half this season. San Diego State is 3-1 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Remarkably, San Diego State is only 1-3 SU in games where it wins the turnover battle, yet undefeated (3-0 SU) when losing the turnover battle.
The San Diego State rushing attack is ranked only 47th in the nation, while the Utah State run defense is ranked sixth. The Aggies rushing game is ranked just 70th, compared to the 10th-ranked run defense of the Aztecs.
