Boise State and San Jose State are two teams which will be desperate to earn a win.
Boise State, a preseason favorite to win the Mountain West, is 2-3 overall after falling at Memphis last week. If the Broncos win this weekend, they’re back to .500 with a 2-0 record in conference play.
San Jose State has yet to earn a Mountain West victory and is 1-4 overall. The Spartans have played a tough schedule with matchups against USC and Oregon State, but they’ll want to triumph this week in order to truly compete for a conference title.
This should make for a compelling battle.
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Odds For San Jose State vs. Boise State
Boise State is a -9.5 college football betting odds favorite against San Jose State, with the Over/Under being 58.5.
The moneyline for Boise State is -350, and it’s +275 for SJSU.
Boise State Football Playing Two Quarterbacks
Boise State’s coaches have said they’re playing two quarterbacks this week, similar to last week. That could prove to be beneficial overall, but it’s also a reflection of the Broncos and their inability to live up to expectations thus far.
Taylen Green was Boise State’s starter going into the season after earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors in 2022. He’s thrown for 938 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions on a 53% completion rate. He’s also rushed for 179 yards and two scores. Maddux Madsen will also see time behind center and has thrown for 319 yards, four touchdowns, and no picks on 22-of-32 passing.
Ashton Jeanty has given Boise State’s offense life the past few weeks. He’s rushed for 489 yards and eight touchdowns on 96 carries and is second on the team with 338 yards and four touchdowns through the air while catching 23 passes. Eric McAlister is the Broncos’ leading receiver with 426 yards and three touchdowns on 25 catches.
The Broncos are 69th in the country in terms of scoring offense (28.6 points per game). But they’ve struggled even more on defense without several key contributors from last year due to graduation and injuries. Boise State is 101st in the FBS with 30.4 points per game allowed.
Marco Notarainni is first on Boise State with 36 tackles on defense and has added two sacks. Ahmed Hassanein leads the team with 2.5 sacks to go with 19 tackles.
San Jose State Spartans Football Has Opportunity To Prove Itself
San Jose State’s record doesn’t properly represent what the Spartans are capable of. But they need to start winning quickly.
SJSU quarterback Chevan Cordeiro leads the team’s offense. He’s thrown for six touchdowns, two picks, and 1,022 yards on a 61% completion rate. He’s also rushed for 92 yards and a pair of scores.
Kairee Robinson paces the Spartans with 284 yards and six touchdowns. Nick Nash has totaled 234 yards and three touchdowns of 25 receptions.
San Jose State has scored the 71st-most points in the country (28.2 per game) but is tied for 113th in terms of points allowed (33.4 per game).
Bryun Parham leads SJSU’s defensive unit with 40 tackles. Tre Smith has a team-high three sacks to go with 28 tackles.
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San Jose State vs. Boise State Football Prediction
I’m picking Boise State to win but for San Jose State to cover the spread at +9.5. I’m also predicting the game will go Over 58.5 total points.
Both of these teams are better on offense than they are on defense. And no matter who’s playing at quarterback for Boise State, the Broncos can score points thanks to their rushing attack.
San Jose State is talented enough on offense with Chevan Cordeiro at quarterback that the Spartans can keep this game close. Boise State also seems prone to playing in close games.
But I think the Broncos have the advantage at home and will be 2-0 in the Mountain West standings after this week.
San Jose State-Boise State On TV
The San Jose State vs. Boise State game will be televised on CBSSN at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday. The contest will be played at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho.
