San Jose State Spartans vs. Utah State Aggies Picks & Preview | NCAAFB Week 8

Jalen Royals will lead the Utah State Aggies (3-4) into their matchup against the San Jose State Spartans (2-5) at CEFCU Stadium on Saturday at 7:00 PM ET.

The Spartans are the favorites (-4) in their matchup versus the Aggies, with the over/under at 65.5 points. (On the moneyline, the Spartans are -186 and the Aggies are +155.)

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Game Info for San Jose State vs. Utah State

• Game Day: Saturday, October 21, 2023
• Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
• TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
• Location: San Jose, California
• Stadium: CEFCU Stadium

San Jose State Pick Insights

• San Jose State has posted a 3-2-1 record against the spread this season.
• San Jose State is 1-0 against the spread so far when playing as at least 4-point favorites.
• San Jose State games have hit the over on five of six occasions (83.3%).

San Jose State Stats & Insights

• San Jose State is averaging 389.9 yards per game on offense this season (70th in the FBS), and are allowing 396.4 yards per game (96th) on defense.
• San Jose State sports the 48th-ranked scoring offense this season (31.4 points per game), and has been worse on defense, ranking 19th-worst with 32.3 points allowed per game.
• San Jose State has the 60th-ranked offense this season in terms of passing yards (241.4 passing yards per game), and has been more effective on the other side of the ball, ranking 21st-best with only 186.1 passing yards allowed per game.
• With 210.3 rushing yards allowed per game on defense, which ranks fourth-worst in the FBS, San Jose State has had to rely on their 72nd-ranked running game (148.4 rushing yards per contest) to keep them in games.
• In addition to a 46.7% third-down percentage allowed on defense, which ranks 14th-worst in the FBS, San Jose State has posted the 82nd-ranked third-down conversion rate (38.6%) on offense.
• San Jose State has the 14th-best turnover margin in college football at +6, forcing 10 turnovers (47th in the FBS) while turning it over four times (eighth in the FBS).

San Jose State’s Best Players

• Chevan Cordeiro has thrown for 1,610 yards (230 ypg) to lead San Jose State, completing 59.9% of his passes and recording eight touchdown passes compared to three interceptions this season. He’s also figured in the ground game with 128 rushing yards on 48 carries with three rushing touchdowns.
• Kairee Robinson has carried the ball 73 times for a team-high 471 yards on the ground and has found the end zone 10 times. He’s also tacked on 11 catches for 168 yards (24 per game) and one touchdown in the pass game.
• Quali Conley has been handed the ball 46 times this year and racked up 352 yards (50.3 per game) with four touchdowns. He’s also contributed in the passing game with 13 grabs for 165 yards
• Nick Nash’s leads his squad with 378 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 30 receptions (out of 49 targets) and scored four touchdowns.
• Dominick Mazotti has put up a 248-yard season so far with one touchdown, reeling in 17 passes on 26 targets.
• Charles Ross has been the target of 27 passes and hauled in 17 grabs for 205 yards, an average of 29.3 yards per contest. He’s found the end zone one time through the air this season.
• Tre Smith has three sacks to lead the team, and also has two TFL and 34 tackles.
• Bryun Parham is the team’s tackle leader this year. He’s picked up 48 tackles and 0.5 sacks.
• Chase Williams has picked off a team-leading one pass. He also has 24 tackles and one pass defended to his name.

Utah State Betting Insights

• Utah State is 3-3-0 ATS this year.
• Utah State is 2-2 against the spread when an underdog by 4 points or more this year.
• Five of Utah State’s six games with a set total have hit the over (83.3%).

Utah State Pick Insights

• Utah State’s offense has been thriving, putting up 477.9 total yards per contest (14th-best) this season. On defense, it ranks 107th by surrendering 414.6 total yards per game.
• While Utah State’s defense has been stuck in neutral, ranking 18th-worst by surrendering 32.9 points per game, its offense ranks 15th-best with 37.3 points per contest.
• Utah State’s pass offense has been dominant, posting 305.6 passing yards per contest (17th-best) this season. Defensively, it ranks 105th by allowing 251 passing yards per game.
• Utah State ranks 49th in the FBS with 172.3 rushing yards per contest on offense, and it ranks 99th with 163.6 rushing yards ceded per contest on defense.
• From an offensive standpoint, Utah State is generating a 37.1% third-down conversion rate (94th-ranked). It ranks 102nd in the FBS on defense (43.1% third-down rate allowed).
• Utah State has registered 14 forced turnovers (sixth in the FBS) and committed 14 turnovers (123rd in the FBS) this season for a 0 turnover margin that ranks 63rd in the FBS.

Utah State’s Best Players

• Cooper Legas has racked up 1,338 yards (191.1 ypg) while completing 66% of his passes and recording 13 touchdown passes with six interceptions this season. He’s also run for 74 yards .
• Davon Booth is his team’s leading rusher with 73 carries for 446 yards, or 63.7 per game. He’s found paydirt four times on the ground, as well.
• Rahsul Faison has racked up 334 yards on 46 carries with two touchdowns.
• Royals has hauled in 647 receiving yards on 39 receptions to pace his team so far this season while scoring nine touchdowns as a receiver.
• Terrell Vaughn has 54 receptions (on 79 targets) for a total of 613 yards (87.6 yards per game) and eight touchdowns this year.
• Micah Davis has racked up 421 reciving yards (60.1 ypg) and four touchdowns this season.
• Paul Fitzgerald paces the team with three sacks, and also has two TFL and 18 tackles.
• MJ Tafisi is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s collected 65 tackles and four TFL.
• Ike Larsen has picked off a team-leading three passes. He also has 46 tackles, one TFL, and three passes defended to his name.