Fresno State vs. San Diego State: Game Preview, Kick Time, Livestream, Odds, Prediction

Getting to the Mountain West Conference Championship Game means nipping their losing skid in the bud.

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The Aztecs are home to get back the Old Oil Can.

Fresno State Bulldogs (4-5, 2-3 MW) vs San Diego State Aztecs (7-2, 4-2 MW)

San Diego State and Fresno State have either represented the West Division in the Mountain West Championship game since the start in 2013. This game would likely determine who faces off against Boise State in a few weeks.

Despite being bowl-eligible, the team is showing signs of regressions. Ryan Agnew looks shook. The confidence he carried throughout the first half of the season feels distant. Agnew looks confused in the pocket and panicked once he rolls out.

Rocky Long pointed out earlier this week that the offensive line is inconsistent, and allowing too much pressure to come at Ryan Agnew. The Fresno State defensive line might take advantage of the mismatch and it might come down to Ryan Agnew’s mobility– something that is lacking through these last few games.

Fresno State is still playing at a high level. They’re 30th in the entire FBS in points scored. Quarterback Jorge Reyna has a season stat line of 178-for-278, 2,092 yards, 11 TD/6 INT passing and 262 yards, 2 TD rushing. Reyna isn’t one of the Carr brothers reincarnated, but he’s a Jordan Love-type quarterback that could fluster San Diego State.

San Diego State has been exposed in their losses. Despite being 6th in the nation in giving up 130 first downs through 9 games, the Aztecs are giving up 79 first downs through the air. They look fraudulent in the secondary and one can imagine Fresno State taking advantage of this matchup all day. The Aztecs’ best chance at winning is through Kyahva Tezino and that front seven.

Prediction

Clearly, the more desperate San Diego State Aztecs have the pre-game edge. Rocky Long saw that there needs to be more attention to detail and discipline and hopefully drilled that into their minds for tonight’s game. I can see the Aztecs offense struggling with the run again. Fresno State’s defensive line is beefier than Nevada’s, and putting together a cohesive o-line unit isn’t going to fix itself in 6 days. This is the defense’s game to win, but it’s going to be close and I don’t expect an Aztec score in the 4th quarter.

San Diego State 21, Fresno St 17

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