Two of the top running backs in the Mountain West will take the field Friday at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho, when San Diego State faces No. 15-ranked Boise State at 8 p.m. ET on FS1.
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty leads the nation with 1,376 rushing yards and ranks No. 2 in the country with 18 rushing touchdowns. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in seven straight games and in nine of the past 10 games dating back to last season. He has also cracked the 200-yard barrier three times this season, including 267 yards against Georgia Southern and 259 against Washington State. He also posted 192 rushing yards against No. 1 Oregon.
Jeanty suffered an injury to his left arm or elbow last week at UNLV, but he helped lead the Broncos to a 29-24 win and finished the game with a season-low 128 yards. His health could impact which team wins on Friday.
San Diego State’s Marquez Cooper is the only running back in the Mountain West who is rushing more often than Jeanty. Cooper is averaging 24.1 carries a game, while Jeanty is averaging 22.7.
Cooper ranks No. 3 in the conference with 748 rushing yards, and he’s tied for No. 3 with eight rushing touchdowns. He joined the Aztecs this year after three seasons at Kent State and one at Ball State. The fifth-year senior’s 4,604 career rushing yards rank No. 1 among all active FBS running backs. He also has 41 career rushing touchdowns.
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San Diego State at Boise State Betting Line
Boise State is a 23.5-point college football betting odds favorite, and the Over/Under is 57.5 points. The Broncos are 5-4 all-time against the Aztecs, and they’ve won two in a row in the series, including a 34-31 thriller at San Diego State last season. Boise State is 11-8-1 against the spread in its past 20 games as the favorite at home. The Aztecs are 13-7 ATS in their past 20 games as an underdog on the road.
San Diego State at Boise State Prediction
I predict Boise State wins 35-27.
Jeanty and Cooper are both going to put up impressive numbers. The question is who else will step up and carry their team to victory? Last week, it was Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen. He racked up 209 yards and a touchdown through the air and added a touchdown on the ground to lead the Broncos past UNLV. He’s completing 62.2% of his passes this season, and he has thrown 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions. An efficient quarterback and a defense that leads the country with 35 sacks should give Boise State an edge this week, but a lot will hinge on Jeanty’s health.
Saturday’s Mountain West Games
Air Force at No. 21 Army
How to watch: Noon ET, CBS
Betting line: Army is a 22.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 41.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Army wins 35-10. Army quarterback Bryson Daily needs less than 100 rushing yards to go over 1,000 on the season, and he leads the country with 19 rushing touchdowns. He has also thrown seven touchdown passes and no interceptions. Daily has a chance to strengthen his Heisman Trophy resume on national TV and keep the Black Knights in the running for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Wyoming at New Mexico
How to watch: 4 p.m. ET, TruTV/Max
Betting line: New Mexico is a 7.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 60.5 points.
Prediction: I predict New Mexico wins 27-14. The Lobos couldn’t get in the end zone last week in a 17-6 loss to Colorado State, but that didn’t stop quarterback Devon Dampier from racking up 319 passing yards and 51 yards on the ground. He and Jeanty are tied with a Mountain West-high 19 total touchdowns, and Dampier ranks No. 2 in the conference with 10 rushing touchdowns.
Hawaii at Fresno State
How to watch: 7 p.m. ET, Spectrum Sports
Betting line: Fresno State is a 13.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 47.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Fresno State wins 21-17. The Bulldogs have a potent offense, led by wide receivers Mac Dalena and Jalen Moss, but quarterback Mikey Keene has been turnover prone. He has thrown 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. Hawaii, led by quarterback Brayden Schager, has an offense that can make teams pay for turning the ball over. The Rainbow Warriors’ defense is giving up 22.3 points a game, which ranks No. 1 in the Mountain West and could make it tough for Fresno State to cover the spread.
Colorado State at Nevada
How to watch: 8 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
Betting line: Colorado State is a 2.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 45.5 points. Prediction: I predict Colorado State wins 24-10. The Rams held New Mexico to six points last week and showed their passing game still has some juice, even without star receiver Tory Horton, who is out for the season. Keep an eye on Colorado State wide receivers Caleb Goodie and Armani Winfield this week. Nevada has a potent rushing attack, but the Wolf Pack’s defenders could have a hard time hanging with Colorado State’s weapons on offense.
