SJSU vs. SDSU: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction
The Spartans seek payback after last year’s thrilling double-overtime loss against SDSU. The Aztecs have other plans.
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Victory against the Spartans is CRITICAL.
WHEN: Saturday, November 12th — 7:30 p.m. PST / 10:30 p.m. EST
WHERE: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA (35,000)
WEATHER: Clear, 55 degrees F. Winds 4 mph.
TV: FS1
LIVE STREAM: fuboTV (Watch for free)
RADIO: 101.5 KGB / XTRA 1360 / iHeart Radio App / SiriusXM ch. 383
SERIES RECORD: This is the 46th matchup between the Aztecs and the Spartans. SDSU maintains a 23-20-2 series lead.
LAST MEETING: SDSU defeated the defending league champion Spartans in a 19-13, double-overtime thriller last year in San Jose on October 15, 2021. The Aztecs have won eight of the last nine matches.
WEBSITES: GoAztecs.com, the official San Diego State athletics website; SJSUSpartans.com, the official SJSU athletics website.
ODDS: Aztecs +2.5
OVER/UNDER: 41.5
San Diego, CA- The Aztecs host their second home game in two weeks this Saturday night at their sparkly new Snapdragon Stadium. Victory against longtime foes, the San Jose State Spartans, is CRITICAL. For the Aztecs, in the West Division, there is still a path to the Mountain West Championship. A win does not guarantee SDSU a place, but a loss will certainly end the Aztecs’ chances. The Spartans are an obstruction that SDSU must overpower.
For the Spartans, Hawaii transfer quarterback Chevan Cordeiro continues to dazzle. In turn, the Aztecs have a powerful new weapon who can potentially push San Jose State to the edge and beyond.
WHY THE SPARTANS WILL WIN
Despite the San Jose State Spartans losing 2 of their last 3 road games, Chevan Cordeiro has helped position them to host their first Mountain West title game ever.
Cordeiro has completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 2,224 yards, 11 touchdowns and 2 picks. Receivers Elijah Cooks and Justin Lockhart have combined for 1,129 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Jermaine Braddock has 21 receptions. The San Jose State Spartans ground game averages 90.1 yards per game, and Kairee Robinson leads with 447 yards and 9 touchdowns. Defensively, San Jose State allows 16.4 points and 316.9 yards per game. Kyle Harmon leads the San Jose State Spartans with 64 tackles, Viliami Fehoko has 8 sacks and Nehemiah Shelton has 2 picks.
Cordeiro nearly led San Jose State to a surprising upset over Auburn.
After years and years of middling football, San Jose State has graduated to become an upper echelon program in the Mountain West. The Spartans can go all the way, as we have already seen. If Cordeiro is not contained by Aztecs defense, and if he is able to complete 60 percent of his passes the Spartans will win this game.
WHY THE AZTECS WILL WIN
For starters, the Aztecs have won 4 straight home games.
SDSU has now improved to 5-4 after beating UNLV 14-10 at home in Week 10. Breakout safety turned starting quarterback extraordinaire Jalen Mayden has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 985 yards, 5 touchdowns and 3 picks. Receivers Tyrell Shavers and Jesse Matthews have combined for 676 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Mekhi Shaw has 17 receptions. The San Diego State Aztecs ground game is averaging 163.9 yards per contest, and Jordan Byrd leads the way with 363 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, San Diego State is allowing 21.3 points and 367.6 yards per game. Michael Shawcroft leads the San Diego State Aztecs with 63 tackles, Jonah Tavai has 6 sacks and Dezjhon Malone has 2 interceptions.
The momentum has been building with San Diego State, and even during their loss to Fresno State Mayden and Co. played a complete game that exhibited by-and-large rock-solid offense.
Mayden, like Cordeiro, has an impressive football I.Q., and because of it the Aztecs are a different team in the second half of the season than they were during the first- and they have the ability to overcome a formidable San Jose State this weekend.
If the Aztecs DON’T turn the ball over, and if they DO play their offensive, defensive and special teams squads effectively the advantage will be theirs.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
This will be a hard-contested, all-out complete offensive and defensive game for both teams. The Aztecs will have home field advantage, but Mayden and Cordiero will go toe to toe for all four quarters.
Aztecs will barely overpower the Spartans, sending SJSU home with a loss.
Final Score: Spartans 24, Aztecs 28
