The New Mexico Lobos are set to face off against the San Jose State Spartans in an exciting college football matchup on Friday night in San Jose, California. Kickoff is slated for 10 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on FS1. Currently, the Spartans are favored by 2.5 points, with a moneyline of -135 and an over/under total of 58.5 points.
As the Lobos prepare for this critical game, they are looking to demonstrate that their strong performance earlier this season is no fluke. New Mexico hasn’t suffered a loss since their opening game against Michigan, and their offensive capabilities have strengthened under new head coach Jason Eck. In their last outing, the Lobos showcased their scoring prowess, setting season-highs in points and total yards against New Mexico State. Quarterback Jack Layne delivered a stellar performance, throwing for 344 yards and five touchdowns, while the running backs and receivers contributed effectively to the offensive dynamic.
Despite their impressive offensive display, New Mexico’s defense has raised some concerns. The unit is allowing an average of 367 yards and 5.7 yards per play, coupled with a high third-down conversion rate of 41% against them. While the Lobos had a standout defensive performance against UCLA, it appears that such efforts may not be the norm going forward.
On the other side, the San Jose State Spartans started the season with high expectations but have faced significant challenges, securing only one win against FCS Idaho amid losses to Central Michigan and Stanford. Recently, however, their offense showed signs of life, registering 524 total yards and a staggering 7.3 yards per play in their most recent game. Quarterback Walker Eget had a standout performance, accumulating 473 passing yards and three touchdowns, while receiver Danny Scudero has emerged as a significant threat, ranking third in the nation in receiving yards.
Defensively, San Jose State has struggled, particularly in passing coverage, where they rank poorly in the Mountain West Conference. The secondary was exposed recently, surrendering 444 passing yards to Stanford, indicating ongoing challenges that the Spartans will need to address.
In analyzing the matchup, the prediction leans towards betting on the over, anticipating a high-scoring game. Given both teams’ difficulties on defense and the resurgence of their passing games, the expectation is for both quarterbacks to have ample opportunities to exploit weaknesses in the opposing secondary. The lack of pass rush from either side may further fuel offensive success.
The game promises to be an exciting showcase of offensive talent, and expect both teams to be aggressive in seeking points, with San Jose State possibly favoring fourth-down conversions in critical red-zone situations. Fans can look forward to a thrilling encounter full of scoring potential.