The Fresno State Bulldogs (5-1) and the Utah State Aggies (3-3) will clash on Friday night. Fresno State dropped its first game to the Wyoming Cowboys last Saturday, 24-19. Quarterback Mikey Keene got injured during the contest. Meanwhile, Utah State has won back-to-back games, most recently taking down the Colorado State Rams 44-24. The Aggies had a robust 639 yards of offense in the win.
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Utah State Aggies Odds and Match Details
Team | Spread | Total | ML |
Fresno State | -4.5
-115 |
O57
-109 |
-192 |
Utah State | +4.5 -108 |
U57.5
-111 |
+160 |
- Fixture: Fresno State @ Utah State
- Date and Time: October 13, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. EST
- Location: Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium, Logan, UT
- Weather Forecast: Partially Cloudy, 58 Degrees
- Field Surface: AstroTurf
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Utah State Aggies Injury Report
Fresno State Bulldogs Injuries
- Mikey Keene (QB)-Ankle: DOUBTFUL
- Damien Moore (RB)-Undisclosed: QUESTIONABLE
- Emoryie Edwards (WR)-Undisclosed: QUESTIONABLE
- Tyler Carr (TE)-Lower Body: OUT
Utah State Aggies Injuries
- McCae Hillstead (QB)-Concussion: DOUBTFUL
- Josh Sterzer (TE)-Undisclosed: QUESTIONABLE
Fresno State Bulldogs Key Stats
The Fresno State Bulldogs have been fantastic in 2023, averaging 33.5 points per game. They have one of the most explosive passing attacks in the country, led by quarterback Mikey Keene. However, Keene is unlikely to play after obtaining an ankle injury last week. Backup Logan Fife will get the nod if Keene is unavailable. Fife has thrown four touchdowns against eight interceptions in his four-year career at Fresno State. Additionally, the Bulldogs have been one-dimensional this season. They average just 3.5 rushing yards per rush attempt but have yet to fumble this season.
Fresno State allows just 18.2 points per game, the second-best mark in the MWC. The secondary keeps opposing quarterbacks under a 60% completion percentage and 200 passing yards per game. Equally impressive is the rushing defense, holding the opposing backfield to a comically low 3.0 yards per rush attempt. The Bulldogs are second in the MWC in fewest yards allowed per game. They also do an excellent job of forcing turnovers.
Utah State Aggies Key Stats
The Utah State Aggies score a conference-high 38.2 points per game. Quarterbacks Cooper Legas and McCae Hillstead have averaged 300 passing yards per game. With Hillstead doubtful for Friday, Legas will make the start for the Aggies. Utah State also averages a healthy 4.8 rushing yards per game. They average a Mountain West-best 462.8 yards per game and 6.6 yards per play. However, they tend to turn the ball over by throwing interceptions.
Defensively, Utah State has labored in 2023. They allow 32.2 points per game, with opposing passers completing 60% of their passes for 241 passing yards per game. However, they do a decent job against the run, holding opponents to 4.1 yards per rush attempt. The Aggies are in the top half of the conference in the fewest yards allowed per play despite surrendering the eight most points on average. Additionally, they force a conference-high 2.3 turnovers per game.
Game Prediction
I like the Utah State Aggies to cover at home this Friday. Fresno State will be without star quarterback Mikey Keene and instead start lifetime backup Logan Fife. Fife has brutal career numbers compared to what Keene has done in 2023. More importantly, he is turnover-prone, and Utah State is one of the best in the conference in forcing interceptions. Meanwhile, the Aggies have found a solid quarterback in Cooper Legas. The quarterback splits plays primarily in USU’s favor, and the Aggies’ high-powered passing attack will test the Fresno defense. So, let’s roll with the Aggies to cover in this MWC tilt.