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The Ohio Bobcats and the San Diego State Aztecs meet Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Ohio at San Diego State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Bobcats head into the 2023 season with high hopes, and they’re one of the favorites in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Ohio’s hopes are likely pinned on the play of QB Kurtis Rourke, who is making his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament late in the 2022 season. He is slated to start the opener, which is tremendous news for the Bobcats. RB Sieh Bangura and WR Sam Wiglusz are back for a high-octane offense, too.
The Aztecs aren’t picked to be among the top teams in the Mountain West. In fact, they’ll likely be middle of the pack. However, QB Jalen Mayden was a find last season, and he’ll be the focal point of the offense, as he can run and pass. He might need to do more running with leading receiver Tyrell Shavers no longer in SoCal. The San Diego State defense will be nasty once again.
These teams have met just once before, with Ohio coming away with a 27-0 win in the DXL Frisco Bowl on Dec. 19, 2018.
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Ohio at San Diego State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 7:36 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Ohio +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | San Diego State -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Ohio +2.5 (-105) | San Diego State -2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 48.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Ohio at San Diego State picks and predictions
Prediction
San Diego State 19, Ohio 16
Moneyline
It’s tempting to go with the MAC visitors, as Ohio (+120) has the potential to be a 9- or 10-win team this season. But SAN DIEGO STATE (-145) is home, and Mayden is likely to give the defense fits. In turn, I am not sold on Rourke being 100% after an ACL injury late in the 2022 season. Facing the nasty Aztecs D is not an easy assignment.
Against the spread
SAN DIEGO STATE -2.5 (-110) is worth a look, but go lightly. This won’t be a lopsided game by any stretch, as that’s just not the Aztecs’ game. They do it with defense. They do it with careful offense. And they rag the clock. It’s the Aztecs way.
Over/Under
UNDER 48.5 (-110) is the best play on the board, and it’s not even close. I’d go low all the way down to 45.5, that’s how confident I am.
Rourke is likely to take very few chances early on, and he is likely to struggle against a very difficult Aztecs defense. Ohio brings a solid defensive unit to the game, too, and Mayden will take some time to find a new top target with Shavers no longer there.
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