New Mexico State vs. Utah State Pick
Is New Mexico State a good underdog play Friday evening when the Aggies take on Utah State at 5:30 p.m. ET in the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl?
ODDSMAKERS LIKE: Utah State. According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, Utah State is a 4.5-point favorite to beat New Mexico State, which opened as a 3-point underdog. The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 60.5 but was bet up to 64.
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THE PUBLIC LIKES: Utah State. As of Friday afternoon, 53% of the betting tickets are on the Aggies to cover the spread while 75% of the money is also on Utah State.
INJURY REPORT: There are no key injuries for either side in this game, although receiver OJ Clack is questionable for New Mexico State due to a shoulder injury.
WHO WE LIKE: New Mexico State. This is the Aggies’ first bowl appearance since the 1960 Sun Bowl where they also played, ironically, Utah State. From the outside, this game means more to New Mexico State, which quickly sold out its required Sun Belt Conference allotment of 5,000 tickets. Thus, there will be a strong showing tonight for New Mexico State, which is led by senior quarterback Tyler Rogers. He led an Aggies offense that ranks fourth among all FBS programs in passing offense.
New Mexico State is 6-0-1 against the spread in its last seven non-conference games, is 4-0 against the number in its last four games against MWC foes and is 9-1 at the betting window in its last 10 games when playing on grass.
On the other side, Utah State is just 2-9 at the betting window in its last 11 games against Sun Belt Conference foes, is 9-20 against the spread in its last 29 games overall, and is 1-10 against the number in its last 11 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in its previous game.
NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL PREDICTION: NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES +4.5