By BJ Querubin — Staff Writer
The San Jose State Spartans (4-7, 1-6 MW) and the Fresno State Bulldogs both look to end their season on a high note and snap their three-game losing streaks.
The two squads are both coming off of heartbreaking losses that could have changed the postseason fates of each team had they won those games.
The Spartans are motivated by a moment that is too fresh to shake from their memory. They suffered a loss in its most painful form—by three points and five yards away from paydirt.
The Bulldogs (4-7, 2-5 MW) have also suffered a tough 35-28 outing against the Nevada Wolfpack, where Fresno State was -13.5 favorites to handle that game with no sweat.
With both rivals desperately wanting to get themselves out of a rut, the fans should expect a high-flying, yet physical game.
Although the Spartans are the more talented team and are playing at home, the Bulldogs are still -3 point favorites to win Saturday.
Fresno State started the season with high expectations. This team was supposed to atop the Mountain West and finish the season playing in a bowl game.
With the Bulldogs’ underachieving season coming to a screeching halt, the only thing they are striving for at this point is bragging rights against a local rival.
Those bragging rights are going to be hard to come by, especially against a scrappy Spartan offense that has averaged 37.8 points a game in the past four games.
That incredible point average is lead by senior walk-on QB Josh Love, who is having an outstanding year.
Love has currently bumped himself up to be the third leading passer in the entire nation. He is also ranked fifth in the nation in completions per game with a 24.5 average.
His numbers would not be where they are without his favorite target this season, junior wideout Tre Walker.
Walker has played out of his mind this year, by making several spectacular catches nearly every game. He is ranked fifth in the country in both receptions and receiving yards per game in only nine games.
While Fresno State does not have any standout players this season, they do average an impressive 156 yards on the ground.
One off-field factor that should not be ignored is the fact that it will be “Senior Night” for the Spartans.
With as many friends and family in attendance, there will be an extra incentive to grab the win and send the seniors’ college careers on a positive.
The spread in Las Vegas has not been the Bulldogs’ friend this year. In the seven games that Fresno State has been favored, it has lost five of them.
The key for SJSU to win this game is efficiency in all phases of the game.
If the Spartan offense can finish drives with touchdowns, the defense doing just enough to force punts and the special teams unit pinning the Bulldogs back with field position, the Spartans should have no problem coming out of this game victorious.
Betters in Las Vegas should not only pick SJSU to cover the 3 point spread but to win this game in a straight bet.
Kickoff is in San Jose at 7:30 p.m.
Follow BJ on Twitter @beejaycue