Mountain West Showdown: San Diego State vs. Boise State
A crucial Mountain West Conference matchup unfolds on Friday night as the San Diego State Aztecs (3-4, 2-0 MWC) travel to face the #15 Boise State Broncos (6-1, 3-0 MWC). Both teams have their sights set on the conference title, but only one will remain undefeated in league play.
San Diego State Aztecs:
- Strengths: Strong rushing attack led by Marquez Cooper (106.8 ypg, 8 TDs), disruptive defense with 28 sacks (led by Trey White’s nation-leading 11.5).
- Weaknesses: Young, inexperienced quarterback (Danny O’Neil), inconsistent offense (22.3 ppg, 100th nationally).
The Aztecs are off to a surprising 2-0 start in conference play despite their overall record. Their defense has been a force, spearheaded by White’s relentless pass rush. However, their offense struggles to put up points consistently, relying heavily on the running game.
Boise State Broncos:
- Strengths: Heisman hopeful running back Ashton Jeanty (196.6 ypg, 18 TDs), efficient passing attack led by Maddux Madsen (211.7 ypg, 13-2 TD-INT).
- Weaknesses: Susceptible defense (25.9 ppg allowed), only two interceptions on the season.
Boise State boasts a potent offense led by Jeanty’s dominant rushing and Madsen’s accurate passing. They are a legitimate contender for the Group of Five’s College Football Playoff spot. However, their defense has been surprisingly leaky, raising concerns against a well-coached Aztecs team.
Prediction:
This game promises to be a battle between San Diego State’s stout defense and Boise State’s explosive offense. While the Broncos are favored by a significant margin (23.5 points), the Aztecs’ tenacity and home-field advantage shouldn’t be underestimated. While Boise State is likely to win, the point spread may be too high.
Pick: San Diego State +23.5 (cover the spread)
