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SDSU vs. Colorado Contingency Game: How To Watch And Keys To An Aztecs Win
Buffaloes and Aztecs schedule last minute game after conference matches against Fresno State and USC cancel over Covid exposure.
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This season is full of surprises as Aztecs face off against a sudden PAC-12 opponent.
WEEK 14: SDSU (3-2, 3-2 MW) vs. Colorado (2-0, 2-0 PAC-12)
WHEN: Saturday, November 28th, 2020 — 2:30 PM PST / 5:30 PM EST
WHERE: Folsom Field, Boulder Colorado (50,183)
TV: PAC-12 Network
STREAMING: You can get a free seven-day trial of FuboTV by clicking here. You can also find the audio broadcast on TuneIn.
RADIO: 101.5 FM (KGB) and XTRA 1360 AM.
SERIES RECORD: Colorado leads the series 1-0.
LAST MATCHUP: September 2nd, 2002 | Buffaloes won 34-14 in Boulder.
ODDS: Colorado -3
Boulder, CO — San Diego State (3-2, 3-2) is making the most of an extraordinarily difficult year. Fresno State cancelled this weekend’s game with the Aztecs due to Covid tracing issues, and the University of Colorado’s (2-0, 2-0) game against the USC Trojans went the same route.
After the reality of their poxy opponents sank in, Colorado Athletic Director Rick George and San Diego State Athletic Director John David Wicker scheduled this exciting contingency game, set take place in the mile-high altitude of Boulder.
San Diego State has had its ups and downs in 2020, but during both losses this season the Aztecs defeated themselves more than their competitors. If the Aztecs can keep focused and play to their strengths, they can prevail over the formidable Buffaloes.
The Aztecs are 5-1 against the PAC-12 over the past five years, so let’s look at what it will take to be victorious on in Boulder.
Three Keys To An Aztecs Victory
1. Rush For 200+ Yards
The Aztecs are 47-3 in the last 50 games when they’ve rushed for over 200 yards. An extra 50 yards could put an exclamation point on the statistic. Tailbacks Greg Bell, Chance Bell and Jordan Love will need to be on point on Saturday afternoon to tilt the odds in the Aztecs’ favor. Fortunately, this is completely attainable.
2. no turnovers
The Aztecs are 64-14 when they commit one turnover or less. In 15 of the last 18 games the Aztecs have done just that. If Aztecs quarterbacks Lucas Johnson and Carson Baker handle the ball with care it will help the Aztecs prevail. Not turning the ball over is paramount.
3. brick wall defense
Stopping third down conversions will be vital for the Aztecs, and this is one match that will be won if they play to their strengths. If the Aztecs deny Colorado running back Jarek Broussard from running 100 yards, which they can do, they will dismantle the run option. If Buffs quarterback Sam Noyer fails to connect with receiver Dimitri Stanley due to aggressive pocket collapse and menacing secondary work by Darren Hall and company, then the Buffaloes will struggle to convert third downs and score.
The Aztecs can actually do this because they are the second best NCAA football defense in the nation.
Prediction
The Aztecs enter this game with sharpened senses and bitterness after losing to the very talented Wolfpack. The Buffaloes are the easy choice to predict for a win, but the Aztecs do have a solid PAC-12 reputation to uphold, and Colorado hasn’t played much. SDSU will fight aggressively to make their five-year record against this particular Power 5 conference 6-1. If the Aztecs bring their A-game, and don’t shoot themselves in the foot they will win.
The Aztecs will find their path to even out the series making it 1-1.
San Diego State 31, Colorado 26