MWC Tournament: Utah State vs. San Diego State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Utah State vs. San Diego State odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Utah State Aggies (26-7) and San Diego State Aztecs (26-6) tangle for the Mountain West Conference Tournament title Saturday in Las Vegas. The contest at the Thomas & Mack Center will tip off at 6 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Utah State vs. San Diego State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Utah State has lost just 3 times since Jan. 17; 2 of those setbacks were against these Aztecs. In a stretch beginning with a MWC tourney loss in 2021, the Aggies have lost 4 of their last 5 to SDSU. Up-tempo USU boasts the most efficient offense in the conference, but the Aggies have been quite good on defense over their last 5 games.

San Diego State — ranked 20th nationally — beat the Aggies by 10 in their 1st meeting (Jan. 25) and 2 in their 2nd (Feb. 8). SDSU plays at a slower pace and has a stifling defense that has allowed just 56.9 points per game over the Aztecs’ last 7.

Rankings courtesy the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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Utah State vs. San Diego State odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Utah State +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | San Diego -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Utah State +1.5 (-110) | San Diego -1.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Utah State vs. San Diego State picks and predictions

Prediction

San Diego State 67, Utah State 64

Moneyline

LEAN SAN DIEGO STATE (-125).

It would be a better play at -120, but this is within range.

Against the spread

In this series, the favorite has gone 5-2 ATS over the last 7 games.

Coach Brian Dutcher is an edge for the Aztecs. Dutcher has led SDSU into the National Championship Tournament field each of the last 2 years, and the Aztecs would have been a shoo-in for a top-4 seed in 2020.

San Diego State -1.5 (-110), with its stalwart defense, is the lean … but only an actionable one for real value at -1.5 (-105) or better. PASS.

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Over/Under

The Under has hit in 7 straight SDSU games.

USU’s best chance here is to play this game like it did the Feb. 8 contest when the Aggies lost 63-61 and the Under won by a margin of 22.5 points.

Utah State likes to get points in bunches from beyond the arc, but teams typically find San Diego State to be especially tough against perimeter shots. Look for some scoring spiral from the foul line, but that’s about it.

BACK THE UNDER 137.5 (-110).

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Mountain West Championship: Utah State at San Diego State odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Utah State at San Diego State odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Utah State Aggies (9-3, 6-2 in Mountain West) face the No. 19 San Diego State Aztecs (11-1, 7-1) in the Mountain West Conference Championship Saturday. The kickoff from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California is set for 3 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Utah State vs. San Diego State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Utah State advanced to its first Mountain West title game since 2013 under first-year head coach Blake Anderson.

Aggies junior transfer QB Logan Bonner has the third-best passer efficiency rating in the conference (154.9) and First-Team All-Mountain West WR Deven Thompkins leads the conference in all major receiving stats. Utah State is 8-4 ATS and 5-7 O/U.

San Diego State is seeking its first 12-win season in school history under second-year head coach Brady Hoke. The Aztecs have the best defense in the conference and the most First-Team All-Mountain West selections. The Aztecs are 6-5-1 ATS and 5-7 O/U.

Utah State at San Diego State odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:25 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Utah State +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | San Diego State -240 (bet $240 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Utah State +5.5 (-107) | San Diego State -5.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Utah State at San Diego State odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

San Diego State 24, Utah State 14

Money line

PASS since I like the Aztecs to win this game outright but San Diego State (-240) is a little too expensive.

Against the spread

BET SAN DIEGO STATE -5.5 (-115) for 1 unit because Utah State’s offense is too one-dimensional for this stout Aztec defense.

For instance, the Aggies’ rushing attack ranks 122nd out of 130 FBS programs in predicted points added (PPA) on the ground. Also, Utah State’s offense has the seventh-worst rushing success rate in the nation and is 117th in line yards per snap.

Conversely, San Diego State’s defense ranks third in rushing PPA, seventh in rushing success rate and 11th in line yards per snap. If Utah State cannot run the ball then San Diego State will get the Aggies off the field fast.

The Aztecs are top-20 in passing down PPA and success rate and have the seventh-best opponent’s 3rd-down conversion rate. Furthermore, this San Diego State defense is stacked with talent. In fact, the Aztecs have an All-Mountain West Football First-Team defensive player on all three levels.

Over/Under

BET 1 unit on the UNDER 49.5 (-107) because there’s only been a combined 50 points scored in one of San Diego State’s eight conference games this year. Also, the Aztecs are 2-6 O/U vs. Mountain West teams.

And while San Diego State has one of the most efficient defenses in the country, its offense is the weak link. For example, the Aztecs rank 97th in offensive points per drive and 117th in offensive points per play, according to Football Outsiders.

Lastly, the Utah State-San Diego State total was quickly lowered after early sharp money came in on the Under. Circa Sports in Las Vegas (a market-making sportsbook) opened this game with a 51.5-point total before the market steamed it down to the current number.

For me, there’s still value in the UNDER 49.5 (-107) based on the previous analysis.

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