San Jose State @ Utah State: A Whole Different Sparty

Location: Romney Stadium (Logan, UT)

Date/Time: Saturday, November 10^th at 2:00 p.m. (MDT)

Television: N/A

Streaming: Stadium Facebook page or the Stadium App

Radio: Aggie Sports Network (92.3 FM local)

Head-to-Head: SJSU leads the all-time series 20-17-1, but the Aggies have defeated the Spartans seven consecutive times. That includes a 61-10 win in San Jose last season.

What to look for:

- Can the Spartans shut down either facet of USU’s offense?

o It seems impossible, but if SJSU wants to compete in this game, they’ll have to stop something. Jordan Love has tallied 2185 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, 19 passing and five rushing. He has reliable receivers, too many to name, and runningbacks who can catch and run as well. Speaking of runningbacks, if SJSU can somehow control Love, they’ll have to deal with the two headed machine that is Darwin Thompson (702 rushing yards, 13 TDs) and Gerold Bright (634 rushing yards, 7 TDs).

- Can the Aggie defense/Special Teams keep scoring touchdowns?

o Right now, Utah State is tied with Temple for 1^st nationally with eight non-offensive touchdowns. Both the Aggie defense and special teams have four apiece. SJSU has thrown nine interceptions and lost five fumbles so far in the year. This team, while down on their luck, is ripe for the picking as far as turnovers go. The Aggies have a knack for pick-sixes, as they have done so four times. If USU can take advantage of poor offensive play by the Spartans and get some points on the board by themselves, the offense won’t have to do too much to put this game away.

- Can the USU OL stay adamant?

o Through nine games, the Aggie offensive line has only allowed eight total sacks. That’s good for a top ten ranking, something the Aggies are used to this season. Led by Senior Center Quin Ficklin, the offensive line has kept Jordan Love on his feet. When Love stays upright really good things happen.

PREDICTION:

- It’s hard to say how many points USU will score, because if they put up enough in the first half, Love will most likely sit the second. If he does, that puts Henry Colombi under center and, while he has led the Aggies on a few scoring drives, he’s not a prolific gun-slinger like Love. Considering this, I can certainly see the run game having a day against an SJSU defense that allows 210.3 rushing yards per game.

FINAL SCORE: Utah State 70, San Jose State 17

What’re your thoughts on the game? Let us know in the comments.

Follow Alex Eiden (UnderDogsAlways) on Twitter @alexyatta_ and follow the MountainWestConnection @MWCConnection