By BJ Querubin— Staff Writer
The San Jose State Spartans (4-6, 1-5 MW) look to snap a two-game losing streak and handle business in their final road game against a hapless Las Vegas Rebels squad.
The Rebels (2-8, 0-6 MW) are ranked dead last in the Mountain West, and are also stuck in a four-game losing slump.
Coming off their bye week, the well-rested Spartans are seven-point favorites against UNLV, which should be an easy spread to cover for SJSU given how well its offense has been rolling.
It’s been a while since SJSU has won a game in recent memory. While the Spartans’ last two games ended in losses, they were thrilling, nonetheless.
SJSU’s record doesn’t accurately reflect how good the team is.
Although there were little expectations for this ball club, they surpassed those with flying colors in hard-fought games that have come down to the wire.
The Spartans have lost by a grand total of five points in two of the six losses. One play in both of those games could have made the Spartans two games above .500.
In the past three games, SJSU’s explosive offense has lit up the scoreboard, racking up 116 total points.
The offense has been carried on the shoulders of senior quarterback Josh Love, who is ranked sixth in all of college football in passing yards with an outstanding 3,168 yards in only 10 games.
Love’s success has been due in large part to the guys upfront protecting him for those 10 games.
This offense has had immense success this season due to a much-improved offensive line. This offensive line is tied for sixth in the nation in sacks allowed.
Love’s number one target this season is also on par with the best in the business.
Junior wide receiver Tre Walker has been on a tear all season and is ranked seventh in the nation in receptions per game at 7.4. Catching 59 passes in only eight games makes this feat all the more impressive.
The Spartans have prided themselves in their best statistic all season— turnover margin. At this point in the season, SJSU is in a bizaar six-way tie for second in the country in turnover margin (+13).
As the stars align for SJSU to walk away with a sure win, it shouldn’t underestimate UNLV’s running game, as defending the run has been the Spartans’ Achilles’ heel.
The Rebel’s workhorse this season has been junior running back Charles Williams, who has 933 yards on the ground thus far.
Even sitting at 4-6, the Spartans do have a slim chance to become bowl-eligible if they close out the season with two wins and bring their record to .500.
As much of a roller coaster this season has been for this team, now would be the perfect opportunity to capitalize against a less-talented squad to a strong finish.
Kickoff is Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Las Vegas.
Follow BJ on Twitter @beejaycue