Category: Week 8

Mountain West Football: Players Of The Month For October

The weather is finally cooling down, but these Mountain West football standouts were red-hot throughout spooky season.

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Mountain West Football: Players of the Month For October

The weather is finally cooling down, but these Mountain West football standouts were red-hot throughout spooky season.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

The small-sample elite.

Note: Players below are presented in alphabetical order.

Offensive Players of the Month

1. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Though Jeanty was limited by injury in Boise State’s victory over Wyoming in Week 9, the super sophomore still posted one of the nation’s best overall performances through October. In three games, Jeanty posted a Mountain West-best 163.3 all-purpose yards per game, averaging a whopping 7.08 yards per carry on the ground, and scored three touchdowns.

2. Kairee Robinson, RB, San Jose State

The Spartans surged in October thanks in large part to their star senior in the backfield. It was Robinson, not Jeanty, that led the Mountain West with 435 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns last month, though he also chipped in with ten receptions for 165 yards for the SJSU passing game, as well.

3. Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State

After posting a monster game to close out September against UConn, Royals kept the good times rolling into last month with a pair of 100-yard performances, racking up 17 catches for 325 yards in three contests, and a conference-high five receiving touchdowns.

4. Ricky White, WR, UNLV

Though the Rebels ended October with a bit of heartache, you can’t say White didn’t do everything possible to keep UNLV in the title game chase. After all, he tallied 24 catches for a Mountain West-high 400 receiving yards with touchdowns, topping 150 yards against both Nevada and Fresno State.

Defensive Players of the Month

1. Jay’Vion Cole, CB, San Jose State

If Cole’s October performance is any indication, the Spartans’ newest star defender is quietly putting together a pretty solid candidacy for defensive player of the year. He was the only defender in the Mountain West to intercept three passes last month, doing so across four games, though he added two additional pass breakups and, according to Pro Football Focus, allowed a reception on 10 of 21 targets.

2. Mohamed Kamara, DE, Colorado State

Where Cole’s case might be subtle, Kamara’s defensive player of the year push disrupted offenses just about as frequently as it did in September. He once again paced the Mountain West with four sacks and finished third among conference defenders with five tackles for loss while also racking up 20 total tackles.

3. Bo Richter, DE, Air Force

Then again, the same could be said of Richter, who posted an overall PFF grade of 81.7 throughout October, the seventh-best mark among Mountain West defenders who played at least 50 snaps, and racked up three sacks, seven tackles for loss, and a forced fumble to go along with 11 total tackles in three Falcons contests.

4. Jackson Woodard, LB, UNLV

When it came to tackling, few players in the country were as prolific as Woodard was in the middle of the Rebels defense last month. He was one of only 15 FBS players to average at least 11 tackles per game, though he also intercepted a pass against Hawaii and, according to PFF, also tied for third among Mountain West defenders with eight total stops.

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Utah State at San Jose State Recap: Spartans Silence Aggies

Utah State at San Jose Recap: Spartans Silence Aggies Spartans never trailed as Cordeiro leads to second in-conference win >/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Conley, Robinson lead rushing attack for Spartans

New Mexico Guard Jaquan Lyle Seen in …

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1360 tag=16543673]Utah State at San Jose Recap: Spartans Silence Aggies


Spartans never trailed as Cordeiro leads to second in-conference win



>/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Conley, Robinson lead rushing attack for Spartans


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<h1>New Mexico Guard Jaquan Lyle Seen in Boot, Status Unknown</h1>

 

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<b>Lyle was seen in a boot during the New Mexico Football Game on Saturday</b>

 

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>/Follow</em> <a href=”https://twitter.com/JeremyMauss?lang=en”>@JeremyMauss</a> &amp; <a href=”htttq4qtps://twitter.com/mwcwire?lang=en”>@MWCwire</a>

<h2>Lyle’s status is currently unknown at this time</h2>

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In a game with early turnovers and big plays, San Jose State was able to remain poised and put together an effort to stay ahead of the Aggies for much of the game. What started as a typical football game eventually became a strong effort by the home team to overwhelm a visiting Utah State squad.

In its opening drive, San Jose State drove down the field for an early 7-0 lead after Quali Conley scored on a ten-yard run. On the ensuing kickoff, Utah State fumbled the ball, setting up the Spartans at the Aggies’ 15-yard line. But Spartan Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro fumbled the ball right back to Utah State a few plays later. 

From there, on Utah State’s first drive, Utah State quarterback threw an interception, once again setting up the Spartans on a short field. However, Kairee Robinson fumbled the ball right back to the Aggies, and the Aggies escaped early troubles without giving up any points.

After the teams exchanged touchdowns – and the score now 14-7 – San Jose State missed on a 48-yard field goal, setting up the Aggies with good field position. The Aggies took advantage of the field position and tied the game at 14 with a strong 25-yard touchdown reception from McCae Hillstead to Micah Davis.

The teams exchanged punts to close out the second quarter and headed into halftime 14-14.

Utah State ended up punting on its drive to open the third quarter. San Jose State took advantage and Quali Conley started the second half as he opened the first, with a touchdown, putting the lead back with the Spartans, 21-14. Utah State went for it on their own 33-yard line on 4th down but could not convert. Cordeiro continued with his feet and through the air to find Charles Rogers for a ten-yard touchdown reception, extending the Spartans lead to 28-14.

To open the fourth quarter, the Spartans punted, and the Aggies looked like they might have one last gasp at getting back into the game. But two plays later, Hillstead threw his second interception on a bad route by his wide receiver. The turnover set up the Spartans at the Aggies’ 27-yard line. Three plays later, Cordeiro found Nick Nash on a 29-yard touchdown reception, to make the score 35-14.

Late in the fourth quarter, the teams exchanged touchdowns once again, but by then the score was already out of reach for Utah State. The Spartans in fact continued to call running plays just to primarily burn the clock, but still managed to score one more time as well, with the final score 42-21. 

Keys to the Game:

To start the second half tied at 14, Utah State had to be feeling good to get past its early miscues and ready to be competitive moving forward. But after an early punt on its first second half drive, San Jose State scored three touchdowns unanswered, and by the time Utah State got back on the scoreboard, the game was out of reach. 

Final Thoughts: 

San Jose State continues to put forth an effort that no matter the turnover or mistake in play, the Spartans are ready to play and look for ways to win. From last week’s game after a letdown in Boise State to early turnovers in this game, the resilience the Spartans show this season is impressive.

Player of the Game:

Chevan Cordeiro showed all the talent a mobile quarterback can have and the impact to move the chains one would expect to see. From three passing touchdowns to 53 yards rushing, Cordeiro proved to have just enough to work with on multiple drives to keep the Spartans busy – time of possession for San Jose State was almost a two-to-one margin – while sidelining the Utah State offense.

Next Up:

The Spartans will head out on the road to play at Hawaii next week, in a bit of a Homecoming for quarterback Chevan Cordeiro. The Aggies will have a bye week then continue their conference play at San Diego State next Saturday.

 

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Mountain West Football: Week 8 Winners And Losers

UNLV’s special teams, Jermarius Lewis, and San Diego State are among Mountain West football’s biggest winners and losers from Week 8.

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Mountain West Football: Week 8 Winners And Losers

Who came out ahead and who left something to be desired across the Mountain West in Week 8 of the college football season?

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

Encouragements and letdowns from the week that was.

Regardless of what you wanted on Saturday, Mountain West football delivered: Shocking upsets. Late game drama. Hotly contested rivalries and memorable highlights. For every joy, though, there’s just as much heartache.

Here are the winners and losers from Week 8.

Winners

1. UNLV’s special teams

A lot had to go right for the Rebels to rally from a 13-3 deficit and beat Colorado State by a 25-23 margin, but Jose Pizano’s 28-yard field goal to win the game as time expired was just one example of UNLV’s specialists leading the way on Saturday.

For starters, that game-winner was one of Pizano’s six field goals, a half-dozen successes that included kicks of 42, 43, and 46 yards. Meanwhile, Marshall Nichols averaged 53 yards per punt, doing his part to make the Rams work for two scoring drives in the first half, and Jacob De Jesus averaged 25.8 yards per kick return and 20 yards on two punt returns (and this doesn’t even include his team-high 120 receiving yards, as well). It hasn’t been talked about enough, but the work that coordinator James Shibest has done this fall has been one of the most significant reasons why the program is now bowling for the first time since 2013. This group has earned the right to be considered one of the best units anywhere in the Mountain West.

2. New Mexico safety Jermarius Lewis

The Lobos put Hawaii in a world of hurt throughout a 42-21 victory, capped by a standout performance from their sophomore safety. The Summit, Mississippi native had seven tackles, two pass breakups, a fourth-down sack to erase a Warriors red zone threat at the end of the third quarter, and two fourth-quarter interceptions, all of which provided a much-needed bright spot for a defense that has often been challenged in 2023.

3. Air Force linebacker Bo Richter

It was a good day in Annapolis for the Falcons, opening their defense of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy with a 17-6 win over Navy, and the senior edge rusher Richter had a particularly productive day with seven total tackles, four tackles for loss, and a sack. It was his fourth game of the season with multiple TFLs and the latest evidence for his case as the Mountain West’s defensive player of the year.

Losers

1. San Diego State offensive coordinator Ryan Lindley

How? The Aztecs have had some offensive clunkers over the years, but getting shut out 6-0 by the previously winless Nevada Wolf Pack may have been a new low.

The obvious failings were plentiful — 3.8 yards per play on offense, 0-for-10 on third downs, a missed 34-yard field goal, two failed fourth downs inside the Nevada 40-yard line, four drops by SDSU pass catchers (according to Pro Football Focus), two fumbles (one of which was lost on their final drive), and a 32% success rate — but the overall sloppiness is something that can’t be easily quantified and it falls on a coaching staff that has struggled to consistently generate points this season. Unless they can snap out of a funk that has seen them score ten or fewer points in four of the last six games, more change may be needed on the Mesa.

2. Utah State quarterback McCae Hillstead

Hillstead’s first start after missing two games with a concussion wasn’t what he or Aggies fans hoped for, as San Jose State held Utah State’s explosive passing game in check throughout a 42-21 defeat. He completed 17-of-29 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had two interceptions and managed just two plays of 20 or more yards. It didn’t help that, per PFF, he also had to withstand five quarterback hits and 12 pressures, though it was the third straight game in which he threw multiple interceptions.

Hillstead now holds a 5.9% interception rate on 119 attempts, so if he’s to be the long-term solution under center in Logan, he must become more disciplined in taking care of the football.

3. Hawaii

Not much went right for the Warriors in a 41-21 road loss to New Mexico. The defense allowed touchdown drives of at least 55 yards on five of the Lobos’ first six possessions and gave up 6.7 yards per play. And though the offense scored three touchdowns on four trips to the red zone and averaged six yards per play, Hawaii also finished 1-of-10 on third downs and turned the ball over four times.

With a tough November schedule on the horizon, the pressure is on Timmy Chang and his coaching staff to demonstrate their team can play with more consistency in order to steal at least one win down the stretch.

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Week 8 2023 Mountain West Football: Best Bets

Step right and place your bets! The Mountain West heads into week 8 and we look at where you should put your money this week.

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Week 8 2023 Mountain West Football: Best Bets

A look at the Mountain West betting odds for Week 8

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

What are the oddsmakers saying about these match ups?

Late in the week we will look at odds and recent lines and make our best picks and bets. Odds courtesy of Vegas Insider.

We went 2-4 in week seven and are 35-27-1 on the year. Another week below .500. At this point, just take the opposite of what I do.

#22 Air Force @ Navy (+10, O/U 33.5)

Air Force has been dominant all season. They got tested against Wyoming, but have taken care of business against everyone else. Navy is in that everyone else category. Usually service academy matchups are close, but the Midshipmen haven’t been at that level the past few years. Take the Falcons to cover.

Pick: Air Force -10

Hawai’i @ New Mexico (+2.5, O/U 60.5)

The Warriors are looking for their first road win of the Timmy Chang era. The run-and-shoot offense is start to gain a foothold. The Lobos looked to be turning a corner on offense, but backslid against San Jose State. Look for that to continue against Hawai’i.

Pick: Hawai’i -2.5

Colorado State @ UNLV (-7.5, O/U 61.5)

It’s a shootout in Vegas this week. The Rebels and Rams both have horrible defenses and it probably won’t change this week unless something drastic happens. Look for this to get close to 70-75 points.

Pick: Over

Utah State @ San Jose State (-4.5, O/U 66.5)

This is the Mountain West trap game of the week. San Jose State broke out of their funk against New Mexico. The Aggies had a chance to beat Fresno State. This has the makings of an offensive slugfest. I still don’t trust the Spartans and the Aggies have shown something these past couple of weeks.

Pick: Utah State +4

Nevada @ San Diego state (-11.5, O/U 47.5)

Look Nevada is bad and has a chance to go winless this year. The Aztecs aren’t that good of a team either, but they’ve managed to make enough plays to get three wins this year. This could be another shootout, but I doubt it with how bad these offenses are. Take the under.

Pick: Under

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Colorado State vs UNLV: Why The Rams Can Win, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The Rams head to Las Vegas to face UNLV. The Rams have a chance to get above .500 both overall and in conference. Here’s how they can do so.

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Colorado State vs UNLV: Why The Rams Can Win, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The Rams head to Vegas to face the Rebels

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

Can the Rams get above .500?

WEEK 8: Colorado State Rams (3-3, 1-1 MW) vs. UNLV Rebels (5-1, 2-0 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, October 21st — 5:00 p.m. MST / 4:00 p.m. PST

WHERE: Allegiant Stadium; Las Vegas, NV (65,000)

WEATHER: Clear Sky, high of 79 degrees

TV: MW Network

RADIO: K99-FM 99.1 / ESPN 1600 AM (Colorado)

SERIES RECORD: This will be the 25th matchup between these two schools. Colorado State leads the series 17-6-1.

LAST MEETING: Colorado State won 37-17 in Fort Collins in the last matchup in 2019.

WEBSITES: CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website | UNLVRebels.com, the official UNLV athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Colorado State | UNLV

ODDS: UNLV -7.5

OVER/UNDER: 61.5

SP+ PROJECTION: UNLV by 8.9

FEI PROJECTION: UNLV by 8.1

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: UNLV 71.13% win probability (41.86 to 33.51)

Colorado State heads to Las Vegas, Nevada to face the UNLV Rebels. CSU is coming off a last second, walk off, hail mary win over Boise State for their first ever victory over the Broncos.

UNLV is led by Barry Odom in his first season in charge. Jayden Maiava has taken over the starting QB role for the Rebels. UNLV has a trio of running backs over 250 yards led by true freshman Jai’Den Thomas. Ricky White is the Rebels leading receiver. The UNLV defense is led by LB Jackson Woodard and DB Jerrae Williams.

Now onto some keys to victory for the Rams.

Three Keys to a colorado state victory

1. Open the Playbook Early

The Rams were horrendous against Boise State in the first half before finally opening up the playbook in the second half. They were taking what the Broncos were giving them at first, but it wasn’t working. This Rams team has made good second half adjustments, but against the Rebels they have to start fast and finish strong.

Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reported that CSU players were “drawing plays in the dirt.” Whether it’s stuff the players come up with or stuff the staff can game plan, the Rams have to go full throttle from the beginning in order to get to a bowl game for the first time since 2017.

2. Complete 60 minute game

This Colorado State squad has not played a full 60 minute game all year. From the egg laid against Wazzu, to the last second meltdown against CU, to the hail mary against Boise State. Every single game, the Rams have had a lull period and it has to stop here.

The Rams have a chance to make a statement and they need to do so here. Everybody on both sides of the ball needs to step up and do their job. No freelancing, everyone trusts the guy next to them to do their job, and you forget let down plays quickly and move on.

3. Defense needs to step up

The Rams are bottom five in yards allowed per game. They are bottom 15 in points allowed per game. They are tied for 10th in total sacks. And they are tied for 4th in turnovers forced. Those stats shouldn’t go together. And it’s part of the reason CSU is where they are currently.

This team has talent. Mohamed Kamara and Jack Howell namely, but they’ve also gotten contributions all over the field. Now, they need to put it together; especially against one of the more balanced offenses they will face all years. If the Rams aren’t careful, the Rebels could run all over the defense.

what will happen

It’s going to be a shootout in Las Vegas this weekend. The Rams can’t stop anybody and the Rebels can’t stop anybody through the air. It’s a points banaza waiting to happen. Since you’re in Vegas, go ahead and take the over since I can’t see it not hitting.

Final Score: Colorado State 42, UNLV 38

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

Utah State at San Jose State: Keys to a Spartans Win, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction Both teams looking for crucial second in-conference win on Saturday night Follow @MWCwire Expect a high-scoring game, but who will win? Utah State at San Jose …

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


Both teams looking for crucial second in-conference win on Saturday night

Follow @MWCwire

Expect a high-scoring game, but who will win?


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

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WEEK 8: Utah State Aggies at San Jose State Spartans

WHERE: CEFCU Stadium, San Jose, California

WHEN: Saturday, October 21, 2023 – 7:00pm EST (4:00pm PST)

TV: The game will be televised live on CBS Sports 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 forty-second meeting between San Jose State and Utah State. Both teams currently have an identical record of 20-20-1.

WEBSITES: sjsuspartans.com is the San Jose State University Athletics official website |   utahstateaggies.com is the official Utah State Athletics website.

GAME NOTES (PDF):  San Jose State  |  Utah State

ODDS: San Jose State Spartans by -4.0

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: 

For San Jose State, the Spartans picked up a crucial win last week on the road against New Mexico, 52-24. A lot of things went right in that game, particularly for quarterback Chevan Cordeiro and running back Kairee Robinson, and now there are more winnable contests on the schedule remaining.

San Jose State can quickly turn their attention to the Aggies, with an eye towards continuing to get in the win column. The Aggies are a tough team, but thus far have given up 28 of 32 scores in the red zone when opponents have made it to their 20-yard line.

With both teams looking for another in-conference win, the Spartans and Aggies will be looking to get on a winning path and keeping an outside chance at a bowl game alive. Also of note is that the Aggies will be headed into a bye week after this matchup with the Spartans, with two weeks to prepare for the San Diego State Aztecs on November 4th.

Much of the statistical analysis tends to favor the Aggies, or shows both teams in similarly comparable rankings, but what also needs merit are statistics like strength of schedule. In this case, various resources rank San Jose State’s schedule ranks 50th; Utah State’s is ranked 67th. That difference in schedule should reveal an advantage to the Spartans who have played the stronger schedule thus far, but still offer a favorable expectation for the Spartans to be the stronger team on Saturday night.

HERE IS WHY THE SPARTANS WILL WIN AGAINST THE AGGIES

Coming into this game after a win over New Mexico, the Spartans should be in a positive state of mind and ready to go for this contest. Having lost their last two matchups against the Aggies in recent years, there should also be a measure of revenge for the Spartans, who will be anxious to unleash quarterback Chevan Cordeiro against an Aggies defense currently ranked 103rd in Passing Yards Allowed.

However, before San Jose State gets too excited, both teams have had trouble with their rush defense (each with a game versus rushing powerhouse Air Force already in hand), where the Spartans and Aggies are ranked 127th and 98th in rushing defense respectively. But the Spartans’ Kairee Robinson is coming off an incredible four-touchdown performance versus New Mexico and could very well look to be called on once again.

Will the Spartans look to score through the air or on the ground? There should be opportunities for both teams to score as both scoring defenses rank 112th (San Jose State) and 113th (Utah State).

Prediction

Based on the statistics, expect Chevan Cordeiro to be busy on the ground and through the air against an overwhelmed Aggies defense. Utah State will look to attack the rushing defense of San Jose State, but with the Aggies themselves ranked in the bottom third of passing yards allowed, the yardage should be there for Cordeiro and company in what looks to be a high-scoring affair.

San Jose State 37, Utah State 27[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1360 tag=16543673]




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Week 8 Mountain West Football Odds, Picks, Predictions

Week 8 Mountain West Football Odds, Picks, Predictions Who is gonna win this weekend? Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Week 8 staff picks Our staff is ready for Week 8 picks and it starts with a rivalry game. Air Force at Navy (+10.5), 12 p.m. ET, TV: …

Week 8 Mountain West Football Odds, Picks, Predictions

Who is gonna win this weekend?

Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Week 8 staff picks

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Our staff is ready for Week 8 picks and it starts with a rivalry game.

Air Force at Navy (+10.5), 12 p.m. ET, TV: CBS or stream with a free trial via FuboTV

Jeremy: SU: Air Force | ATS: Navy

Erik: SU: Air Force | ATS: Navy

Roger: SU: Air Force I ATS Air Force

LaMarr: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force

Brandon: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force 

Josh F: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force 

Hawaii at New Mexico (+1) 6 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network

Jeremy: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

Erik: SU: New Mexico | ATS: New Mexico 

Roger:  SU: New Mexico | ATS: New Mexico 

LaMarr: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

Brandon:  SU: New Mexico | ATS: New Mexico

Josh F: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

Colorado State at UNLV (-8), 7 p.m. ET, TV: Mountain West Network

Jeremy: SU: UNLV | ATS: Colorado State

Erik: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV

Roger: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV

LaMarr: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV

Brandon:  SU: UNLV  | ATS: UNLV

Josh F: SU: Colorado State | ATS: Colorado State

Utah State at San Jose State (-4) 7 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network or stream with a free trial via FuboTV

Jeremy: SU: Utah State | ATS: Utah State

Erik: SU: San Jose State | ATS: San Jose State

Roger: San Jose State | ATS: San Jose State

LaMarr: San Jose State | ATS: San Jose State

Brandon:  SU: Utah State  | ATS: Utah State

Josh F: SU: Utah State  | ATS: Utah State

Nevada at San Diego State (13.5), 9 p.m. ET, TV: FS2, or stream with a free trial via FuboTV

Jeremy: SU: San Diego State | ATS: Nevada

Erik: SU: San Diego State | ATS: Nevada 

Roger:SU: San Diego State I ATS: San Diego State

LaMarr: SU: San Diego State | ATS: San Diego State

Brandon:  SU: San Diego State | ATS: San Diego State

Josh F: SU: San Diego State | ATS: Nevada

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New Mexico vs. Hawaii: Why The Lobos Can Win, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

New Mexico vs. Hawaii: Why The Lobos Can Win, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction Can New Mexico get the win over the Warriors? Follow @MWCwire Lobos have a great opportunity WEEK: New Mexico Lobos 2-5 vs Hawaii Rainbows 2-5 WHEN: Saturday, October 21, …

New Mexico vs. Hawaii: Why The Lobos Can Win, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

Can New Mexico get the win over the Warriors?

Follow @MWCwire

Lobos have a great opportunity

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WEEK: New Mexico Lobos 2-5 vs Hawaii Rainbows 2-5

WHEN: Saturday, October 21, 2023 

WHERE: University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico 

WEATHER: 82°F Humidity: 20 %

TV: Mountain West Network

RADIO: Lobo Radio Network 770 AM/96.3 FM Robert Portnoy & Dontrell Moore

SERIES RECORD: 22nd meeting Spartans lead 14-5-1 

Odds/Point Spread: Lobos (-2)

The Hawaii Warriors (2-5) travel 3,221 miles to University Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2023, to go up against the New Mexico Lobos (2-4). New Mexico is 2-point favorites. The over/under comes in at 59.5.

In a matchup between two struggling Mountain West teams, the Hawaii Warriors (2-5) will travel 3,221 miles to face the New Mexico Lobos (2-4) at University Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2023. New Mexico enters the game as a 2-point favorite with an over/under set at 59.5.

The Warriors and the Lobos find themselves with identical 2-5 records, making this a pivotal battle in the Mountain West Conference.

Offensively, the Hawaii Warriors have been averaging 23.9 points per game. The New Mexico Lobos have a slight edge at 27.8 points per game.

 Defensively, the Warriors have been struggling, giving up 35.6 points per game. At the same time, the Lobos have fared slightly better, conceding 27.8 points per game.

Last week, the Warriors faced the San Diego State Aztecs, suffering a 41-34 loss at home. Both teams are in dire need of a win in Mountain West Conference play.

Warrior Quarterback Brayden Schager had an outstanding performance, passing for 427 yards and three touchdowns, marking Hawaii’s first 400-yard passing performance since 2021. 

Schager went 29/47 last week with 427 yards passing and three touchdowns for a career-high 427 yards, posting the Warrior’s first 400-yard passing performance since Chevan Cordeiro threw 406 against CSU on November 20, 2021. 

Schager has thrown for 2,071 yards this season with a 63.4% completion rate, 16 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

The Warriors are averaging 23.9 points per game. They’re averaging 57.7 yards on the ground as a unit, ranking them 133rd in D-1. The Warriors have earned 2,503 total yards for the year. 

In regards to the distribution of scoring touchdowns, Hawaii has compiled 17 touchdowns via the pass and three rushing touchdowns. 

Hawaii has recorded 133 1st downs as a team, and they have committed 46 penalties for 401 yards. They have given the ball to the opposition 13 times.

When talking about yards via the pass, the Warriors are allowing 1,472 yards, which puts them in 71st in the country, so look for Lobo Offensive Coordinator Vincent Byant’s Offense to game plan against the Warriors secondary. 

They gave up 210.3 yards per game through the air and allowed a completion percentage of 62.0%. Overall, they allow 380.6 yards per contest, which puts them 74th in D-1. 

They have given up 14 touchdowns through the air and 13 touchdowns via the ground game. 

The opposition runs for 4.8 yards per run and 170.3 rushing yards per contest this season.

 They have given up 1,192 rushing yards during the season through 7 games. The Warriors are sitting in 124th in the country concerning team defense, giving up 35.6 points per game.

The Hawaii Warriors’ ground game averages 3.8 yards per attempt, with Jordan Johnson leading in rushing yards. 

Steven McBride has been a standout on the receiving end with 616 yards and five touchdowns; McBride is one of the more dynamic receivers in FBS and will be a challenge for this Lobo secondary!

The New Mexico Lobos are coming off a 52-24 defeat against the San Jose State Spartans; this was quickly one of the sloppiest games for Danny Gonzales’s team in the second half this year, despite leading at the half 17-14 

Dylan Hopkins leads the Lobos offensive team with 1,176 passing yards (196.0 yards per game) and has a 55.9% completion percentage this year (85-of-152) while throwing seven touchdowns with four interceptions. 

Hopkins also has 94 rushing yards on 33 carries with one touchdown, averaging 15.7 yards per game.

Jacory Merritt leads the Lobo team-best 488 rushing yards (81.3 per game) and nine touchdowns, followed by Sherod White, 141 yards on 30 carries and a single rushing touchdown. 

Wide Receiver Caleb Medford has 11 receptions for a team-high 228 receiving yards (45.6 per game) and one touchdown.

Deuce Jones has added 166 yards (on seven catches) and one touchdown, and Jeremiah Hixon has a total of 158 yards on 19 receptions and two touchdowns. 

Keys to Victory for the Lobos:

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Utah State vs. San Jose State: Why The Aggies Can Win, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

The Aggies look to stay in the hunt for bowl eligibility in a key road clash with the Spartans. Here’s how to watch and what to watch for.

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Utah State vs. San Jose State: Why The Aggies Can Win, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

The Aggies look to stay in the hunt for bowl eligibility in a big road clash with the Spartans. Here’s how to watch and what to watch for.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS and @MWCwire

Could both teams light up the scoreboard?

WEEK 8: Utah State Aggies (3-4, 1-2 Mountain West) vs. San Jose State Spartans (2-5, 1-2 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, October 21 — 5:00 PM MT/4:00 PM MT

WHERE: CEFCU Stadium; San Jose, CA

WEATHER: Mostly sunny, high of 76 degrees

TV: CBS Sports Network

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

RADIO: The Utah State broadcast can be found on the affiliates of the Aggie Radio Network, including flagship 1280 The Zone (KZNS) in Salt Lake City. The San Jose State broadcast can be found in and around San Jose on 860 AM (KTRB).

SERIES RECORD: The all-time series is tied, 20-20-1. In the last meeting on November 19, 2022, the Aggies defeated the Spartans, 35-31, in Logan.

LAST GAME: Utah State lost at home to Fresno State, 37-32, while San Jose State defeated New Mexico on the road, 52-24.

WEBSITES: UtahStateAggies.com, the official Utah State athletics website | SJSUSpartans.com, the official San Jose State athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Utah State | San Jose State

ODDS: San Jose State -4

SP+ PROJECTION: San Jose State by 2.4

FEI PROJECTION: Utah State by 2.2

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: San Jose State 61.90% win probability (36.26-31.11)

After suffering a close loss at home in Week 7, the Utah State Aggies hit the road for the first time in October to face off with the San Jose State Spartans.

Relatively speaking, both teams are in the same boat: Explosive offense, erratic defense, and a handful of top playmakers who can change the tenor of a game with one big play. However, the Aggies also have recent history on their side, carrying a ten-game winning streak in this series into San Jose. USU hasn’t lost on the road to the Spartans since 2008, so what needs to happen to keep it that way?

Here’s what Utah State can do to beat the Spartans.

Three Keys to a Utah State Victory

1. Pound the rock and dare the Spartans to make stops.

For as potent as Utah State’s passing game has been in recent weeks, the rushing attack might have a potentially significant advantage against a San Jose State front seven that has often been soft against the run. In the Spartans’ two victories to date, they’ve allowed 3.23 yards per carry and just two rushing touchdowns; in five losses, they’ve given up 5.67 YPC and 16 rushing scores.

The Aggies have done well to establish a balance in their three-pronged ground attack — Davon Booth, Rahsul Faison, and Robert Briggs combined for 5.4 YPC in last week’s loss to Fresno State, and all three had between seven and 12 carries — and that could serve them well given that quarterback Cooper Legas still hasn’t gotten over his propensity for turnovers (3.9% interception rate in 153 pass attempts).

2. Make Chevan Cordeiro beat you.

San Jose State isn’t quite as explosive as they were in 2022 with Elijah Cooks, who’s now in the NFL, and Justin Lockhart, who’s out for the season with injury. That’s had an effect on the Spartans’ veteran quarterback, who has generated a pass play of 20 or more yards on 9.9% of his 222 attempts through seven games after creating them at a 12.9% rate last year.

If Utah State can dictate the terms of the game and get out to an early lead, they could put themselves in a position to really put the screws on SJSU: When the Spartans have trailed by eight or more points this season, Cordeiro has only completed 38-of-74 attempts (51.3%) for 5.3 yards per attempt with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

3. Keep an eye on Jay’Vion Cole.

Blake Anderson won’t be shy about letting it fly on offense, though San Jose State has at least one defender who might be able to make the Aggies pay for a passing game mistake. Cole had his first interception of the season last Saturday against New Mexico, but the Cal Poly transfer has played like one of the Mountain West’s top cornerbacks since coming home to the Bay Area with a team-high eight passes defended and, according to Pro Football Focus, an 82.5 coverage grade that is the third-best figure in the conference.

Prediction

Both teams in this game still have postseason aspirations. Though Utah State is getting more banged up by the week, their offensive stars should make the difference in outlasting a Spartans defense that’s given up its fair share of ground most weeks.

Utah State 40, San Jose State 31

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Coaches Poll Top 25 College Basketball Rankings Week 8

USA TODAY college basketball Coaches Poll top 25 rankings, Week 8

Where do all the top teams rank in the Week 8 Coaches Top 25 college basketball poll? Which teams just missed out, but received votes?

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Coaches Poll College Basketball Rankings Week 8

Others Receiving Votes: Ohio State 70; North Carolina 56; Virginia Tech 50; Memphis 27; New Mexico 26; Missouri 19; Iowa State 17; Kansas State 15; San Diego State 13; Charleston 12; Arizona State 9; USC 7; Providence 7; Marquette 6; Saint Mary’s 5; Florida Atlantic 5; Texas Tech 4; Rutgers 4; Michigan St. 4; Utah State 2; Iowa 2.

Number in parentheses is where each team finished in last week’s rankings.      

25. Xavier Musketeers 10-3 79 (NR)

24. West Virginia Mountaineers 10-2 87 (NR)

23. Auburn Tigers 10-2 88 (18)

22. Illinois Fighting Illini 8-4 90 (T16)

21. Maryland Terrapins 9-3 96 (23)

– Coaches Final Regular Season Football Rankings

20. Mississippi State Bulldogs 11-1 169 (15)

19. TCU Horned Frogs 10-1 202 (19)

18. Indiana Hoosiers 10-3 213 (21)

17. Kentucky Wildcats 8-3 280 (T16)

16. Miami Hurricanes 12-1 290 (22)

– AP College Basketball Top 25 Prediction

15. Wisconsin Badgers 9-2 292 (18)

14. Duke Blue Devils 10-3 312 (14)

13. Baylor Bears 9-2 477 (13)

12. Virginia Cavaliers 8-2 483 (6)

11. Gonzaga Bulldogs 10-3 493 (12)

– AP Final Regular Season Football Rankings

10. Tennessee Volunteers 10-2 523 (11)

9. Alabama Crimson Tide 10-2 532 (10)

8. UCLA Bruins 11-2 540 (9)

7. Arkansas Razorbacks 11-1 541 (8)

6. Texas Longhorns 10-1 605 (7)

5. Arizona Wildcats 12-1 673 (5)

4. Kansas Jayhawks 11-1 695 (4)

3. Houston Cougars 12-1 718 (3)

2. UConn Huskies 13-0 772 (2)

1. Purdue Boilermakers 12-0 790 (1)

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Coaches Poll College Football Rankings 
All-Time Coaches Poll Rankings | AP All-Time Rankings