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

Will Strength of Schedule prove the tougher team this Saturday?

Both teams looking for first conference win

[mm-video typ21e=playlist id=01g1kx1m9c8rz2mjgq player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

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

——-

WEEK 4: San Jose State Spartans at New Mexico Lobos

WHERE: University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico

WHEN: Saturday, October 14, 2023 – 6:00pm EST (3:00pm PST)

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

RADIO: ESPN 1100AM & 100.9 FM

SERIES RECORD: This will be the twenty-second meeting between San Jose State and New Mexico. The Spartans have won the three most recent meetings.

WEBSITES: sjsuspartans.com is the San Jose State University Athletics official website | golobos.com is the official New Mexico Athletics website.

GAME NOTES (PDF): San Jose State | New Mexico

ODDS: San Jose State Spartans by -8.0

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION:

For San Jose State, the Spartans suffered a tough loss on the road at Boise State last week, one where the Broncos put up 28 unanswered, including 21-0 in the second half. If there is any comfort for the Spartans, one could argue the competition takes a step down in class from here, having already played through conference contenders Air Force and Boise State.

Now, San Jose State can quickly turn their attention to the Lobos, with an eye towards getting back in the win column. The Lobos are a tough team, but thus far have given up 17 of 18 scores in the red zone when opponents have made it to their 20-yard line.

With both teams still looking for their first conference win, the Spartans and Lobos will be looking to get back on a winning path and an outside chance at a bowl game alive. Also of note is that the Lobos will be coming off a bye week, with two weeks to prepare for the Spartans.

Much of the statistical analysis tends to favor the Lobos, 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 87th; New Mexico’s is ranked 117th. 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 LOBOS

This is a game where one could argue San Jose State is clearly the better team – from quarterback to offensive line to overall squad. Chevan Cordeiro will be the more mobile quarterback, and the team finally gets a game against a possibly inferior foe.

From USC and Oregon State to conference competition, San Jose State has played the tougher non-conference and conference teams, and it is reflected in their 1-5 record. This Spartans team is hungry for a win, and San Jose State should be able to pick one up here, even as a road team.

In his weekly press conference, Spartans Head Coach Brent Brennan described the loss to Boise State as “soul-crushing” and the need for a road win this week. From top to bottom, there seems to be a genuine drive for the Spartans to get the win.

Prediction

Look for big plays on both sides, but San Jose State should be the more explosive team. San Jose State has played the tougher schedule, has better skill players and the team that can outplay its competition. Simply put, the Spartans should be able to get the win against an outclassed Lobos team.

San Jose State 34, New Mexico 30

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]