San Diego State vs. Colorado State: Game Preview, Kick Time, Livestream, Odds, Prediction
The Aztecs head to Fort Collins to face the Rams. The Aztecs are favored tonight.
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In 2016, the Rams beat the Aztecs 63-31 at Qualcomm, but SDSU has won the last five at Fort Collins.
WHEN: 7:00 p.m. PST | 8:00 p.m MST | 10:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, CO
TV: ESPN2
STEAMING: ESPN WATCH | FuboTV – Get a seven-day free trial
RADIO:101.5 KGB / XTRA 1360 / FoxSports Inland Empire (IE) 1350 (pregame starts at 5:30 p.m. PT on XTRA
SERIES RECORD: Aztecs lead the overall series 20-14
SPREAD: San Diego State -7.5
Fort Collins, CO – An epic Mountain versus West battle of this Mountain West Conference will begin tonight at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Both rivals believe they will win this match.
Colorado State is 1-4 overall and 1-1 at home this season, while San Diego State is 3-1 overall and 2-0 on the road. The Aztecs are favored by 7.5 points in the latest odds, while the over-under is set at 50.5.
The Aztecs are fresh off of a bye week, and enter this game rested up.
In contrast, Colorado State lost to a formidable Utah State last week losing 32-24. The Rams were held to just 79 yards, and quarterback Patrick O’Brien threw for just 217 yards. Defense managed a pick-six in the game, but special teams allowed a 100-yard kickoff return for the Aggies. Ouch.
Utah State also defeated the Aztecs the prior week 23-17, despite a late-game surge for San Diego State that could have potentially put them on top after a 23-3 deficit.
Quarterback Ryan Agnew has stepped up this season, and he gives the Aztecs a lot of offensive options. If he can keep his wits about him, he could be formidable. Wide Receiver Kobe Smith is this year’s Aztecs’ clutch receiver, and Jordan Byrd has become the lead running back since star tailback Juwan Washington has been sidelined with injuries.
San Diego State is 14-5 in all road games since the start of the 2016 campaign. The Aztecs’ 73.7 winning percentage is tied for the ninth best among all FBS teams, while its 14 road wins during that span are tied for the second most only to Clemson (16).
The Aztecs are 20-14 against the Rams in the series. The teams first met on Nov. 4, 1978, and it was a 34-31 Aztec victory at San Diego Stadium. The teams played every year between 1978 and 2012, with the exception of 1989, 1990 and 1998.
SDSU has managed to pull off five straight wins at Colorado State dating back to 2003. In addition, the Aztec defense has allowed 21 points or less in nine of the last 12 meetings with the Rams.
San Diego State has also committed one turnover or less in eight of the last 10 games in the series. The Aztecs have also scored 252 points in the last eight games against Colorado State. That is an average of 31.5 ppg.
In the last nine meetings, San Diego State has thrown a total of five interceptions (Colorado State has 14 during that same span).
The team with fewer turnovers is 7-1 in the last eight meetings.
Colorado State’s defense will have difficulty stopping the Aztecs, however San Diego State’s defense will be menacing for the Rams. This will be a good game, and the Aztecs will likely exit the field with a victory of at least two touchdowns.
Final Score Prediction: Aztecs 31, Rams 17
