College Football Betting Preview: A look at Utah-San Diego St

Utah Utes at San Diego St Aztecs, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
Saturday, November 20, 2010, 10:00 pm Eastern, TV: The Mountain
Opening Line: Utah -3
Current Line: Utah -2 1/2
Opening Total: 56 1/2
Current Total: 54
Money Line: Utah -135 / SDST +115

Jordan Wynn and the Utah Utes look to rebound after 2 straight losses against the Aztecs in Mountain West Conference action

Two weeks ago Utah was undefeated and ranked number 5 in the country. However after back to back blowout losses to TCU and Notre Dame, the Utes are contemplating changing quarterbacks. In the two losses the Utes were outscored 75-10 combined. Before the losses Utah was averaging 45 points and 450 yards a game. In the two losses they averaged only 232 yards. San Diego St meanwhile is having its best season in years. They are 7-3 and their only losses are to Missouri, BYU, and TCU by a total of 11 points. Last week, San Diego St jumped out to a 14 point lead before TCU scored 37 unanswered points to make it 37-14. TCU held off a late Aztec rally to win 40-35. The winner of this game can stake their claim to the second best team in the Mountain West. A trip to Las Vegas to play in the Maaco bowl is likely for the winner. Utah is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 trips to San Diego, and Utah is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in the series.

Utah is sticking with quarterback Jordan Wynn despite struggling in the two losses to score. Utah has outscored its opponents 37-19 on the season. They had only allowed 11 points a game before the losing streak. Utah averages 406 yards a game, including 241 through the air. They only give up 295 yards a game including 113 yards a game on the ground. They have a turnover ratio of +9 and have forced 25 sacks on the season. The offensive line for Utah has only allowed 6 sacks all season. Utah has outscored their opponents 252-84 in the second and third quarters this year. Wynn has thrown for 1,773 yards, 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions this season. His top two targets are receivers DeVonte Christopher (36 catches, 604 yards, and 5 touchdowns) and Jereme Brooks (44 catches, 493 yards, and 4 touchdowns.) Nine Utes have at least one touchdown catch. Matt Asiata (123 carries, 563 yards, 6 touchdowns) and Eddie Wide (115 carries, 544 yards, and 9 touchdowns) split most of the carries.

San Diego St is undefeated at home this season and is looking for their first 8 win season since 1996, They play woeful UNLV at home next week so they will most likely get their 8th win, but they would love to have 9 wins. The Aztecs are outscoring opponents 34-22 and they average 421 yards a game, with 270 yards of that coming in the passing game. They give up 348 yards a game. They have a turnover ratio of -3 and have forced 24 sacks. Like Utah they have allowed very few QB sacks. The Aztecs have only allowed 8 sacks on the season. If the Aztecs have a weakness it is red zone touchdown percentage. They only score a touchdown 51% of the time in the red zone and too often have to settle for field goals. The Aztec offense is led by quarterback Ryan Lindley. For the season Lindley has thrown for 2,688 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The top two Aztec receivers are Vincent Brown (48 catches, 929 yards, 5 touchdowns) and DeMarco Sampson (48 carries, 893 yards, 6 touchdowns.) The Aztecs rush for 151 yards a game led by Ronnie Hillman who has 201 carries, 1,098 yards, and 12 touchdowns for the season. Keep an eye out for Aztec running back Brandon Sullivan. Sullivan has 8 total touchdowns for the season including 6 rushing.

Rain is expected in San Diego tonight, so keep an eye on that as it might affect the offenses. Utah was riding high just 2 weeks ago and now is questioning how good they really are. Two blowout losses will do that to you confidence. San Diego St on the other hand is already bowl eligible but is looking to prove they are the second best team in a conference many feel is better than the Big East or maybe even the ACC.