San Diego State vs. Fresno State open thread

There is just one Mountain West game Friday night and it is a mismatched game with Fresno State hosting San Diego State. With very few games going on tonight tune into this game to because it is a trophy game, and also to see if San Diego State fans out number Fresno State at Bulldog Stadium.

Keys for a Fresno win:

Keep Chason Virgil on his feet. Beating this Aztecs defense isn’t likely to come from screens and like-minded plays. The Bulldogs will need to find big plays, which has been a modest surprise in this year’s offense despite a lack of efficiency: Eighteen plays of 20-plus yards puts them in a tie for fourth in the MWC. The first time Virgil is taken down, however, fans are likely to experience flashbacks to last year, when Zack Greenlee ran for his life seemingly every play.

Keys for a San Diego State game

Let the Supporting Cast Shine Some: Pumphrey is the obvious workhorse for San Diego State as well as dark horse Heisman-trophy candidate. However, getting Rashaad Penny more involved would be key. Penny scored a receiving touchdown last week, tying Micah Holder with 3 receiving touchdowns for the team lead. I’ve been saying this for a year now, Penny’s big play ability on offense and special teams are huge for San Diego State.

WHEN: Friday, October 14 — 7:30 PM PT

WHERE: Bulldog Stadium; Fresno, CA (41,031)

TV: CBS Sports Network

STREAM: CBSSports.com (on select pay TV providers)

RADIO: The broadcast can be found in and around Fresno on the Central Valley’s local ESPN Radio affiliates: 940 (in English) and 1600 (in Spanish) AM.

SERIES RECORD: San Diego State leads the series, 28-23-4. In the last meeting on October 3, 2015, the Aztecs won 21-7

LINE: San Diego State (-19)