San Jose State at UNLV: Keys to a Spartans Win, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction

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A place in the championship game still in play

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Two evenly matched teams meet in season finale

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WEEK 13: San Jose State Spartans at UNLV Rebels

WHERE: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada

WHEN: Saturday, November 25, 2023 – 3:00pm EST (12:00pm PST)

TV: The game will be streamed live on Mountain West Network 

STREAMING: Fans can sign up to receive a free one-week trial of Fubo, by following this link.

RADIO: ESPN 1100AM & 100.9 FM

SERIES RECORD: This will be the twenty-eighth meeting between San Jose State and Utah State. San Jose State currently leads the series with a record of 20-6-1.

WEBSITES: sjsuspartans.com is the San Jose State University Athletics official website |   unlvrebels.com is the official UNLV Athletics website.

GAME NOTES (PDF):  San Jose State |  UNLV

ODDS: UNLV Rebels by -2.5

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: UNLV by -9.11

This Saturday afternoon, it comes down to this: If the Rebels win, they will host the championship game against the winner of Boise State and Air Force. According to CBS Sports, if San Jose State wins, that will create a three-way tie among UNLV, San Jose State and the winner of Boise State and Air Force, and the participants will be determined by computer rankings, a composite average of selected computer rankings to determine the spots.

Both teams are coming into this contest on winning streaks, with the Rebels having won three in a row and the Spartans a winner of their last five. Expect both teams to show those pedigrees this week with a spot in the championship game on the line. 

Although the Spartans have won the last three contests by a combined 101-44, if this season has shown anything it is that this Rebels team is built differently, going 9-2 on the year. This will be an interesting contest in all phases, and special teams play may well play a part in determining the winner.

Statistically, the teams match up relatively well; San Jose State ranks 41st in total defense to UNLV’s 39th ranked offense. Conversely, the Spartans’ 54th rank in total offense will match up with the Rebels’ 76th rank in total defense. Both teams also rank near one another in time of possession, which should play out as a back-and-forth affair.

HERE IS WHY THE SPARTANS WILL WIN AGAINST THE REBELS

Coming into this game, the Spartans’ running game has been rounding into form to say the least, led by running backs Kairee Robinson and Quali Conley (two of the top five rushing leaders in conference) and even quarterback Chevan Cordeiro. If San Jose State can run the ball – without the predictability of running on first down – there will be an opportunity to control the clock and keep UNLV’s high-powered offense on the sidelines.

From there, Spartans should be willing to go to play-action or even a trick play or two to keep the ball as they see fit. UNLV’s front seven will pose arguably the toughest test to date but Cordeiro has proven resilient, and the team has relied on that determination well. 

Prediction

Based on the statistics, expect a closely contested game between two teams willing to take shots down the field if the opportunities are there. At this point in the season, both teams realize what the stakes are and will be willing to risk a spot in the championship game to get there. Expect a few trick plays, but otherwise a game effort from both teams this Saturday afternoon.

San Jose State 30, UNLV 27

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