Who: BYU Cougars (7-5) vs San Diego St Aztecs (9-3)
Where: Qualcomm Stadium
When: Thursday, December 20th, 8:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Line: BYU by 3.5
Jay: On paper, this is San Diego State, all day. They have a very impressive resume with no bad losses and a strong win over Boise State. However, when you watch them play, they’re a very one dimensional team, and that dimension, running the ball, plays into the strength of BYU’s defense. If there’s one thing the Cougars have been proficient at all season, it’s dragging good offenses into ugly, low-scoring affairs. The tougher trick to turn for BYU, though, has been not shooting themselves in the foot with turnovers when they have a chance to win late in games. In fact, they’re a terrible -10 in turnover margin away from home. In the end, I think BYU comes up short yet again.
SAN DIEGO STATE 17 BYU 13
Kevin (2-0 overall, 0-2 ATS): These two teams played three common opponents. San Diego State went 2-1 and BYU went 1-2 in those games. The biggest positive I see in both teams is the momentum that the Aztecs bring into this game as they’ve won seven straight games including a win over Boise State on the blue turf. They also have home field advantage. Another factor is that BYU hasn’t even named it’s starting QB yet and that’s a problem. BYU is a good team who has the ability to step up and win games against bowl teams (they beat Utah State and Georgia Tech) but I think SDSU sneaks out of this one with an ugly win.
SAN DIEGO STATE 24 BYU 16
For additional coverage of the Poinsettia Bowl check out Mountain West Connection and Blue Cougar Football. If you are thinking about betting on this game make sure you head over and read what our buddies at The Saturday Edge have to say before you plunk down any of your hard earned cash.
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