The common opponents tell a mixed story. Both teams beat Fresno State and Washington State by a field goal or less, or close to it. Utah State took care of Colorado State 31-14 in Logan, and the Aztecs lost a 49-56 shootout in Fort Collins. Flip it around and San Diego State beat Texas State 31-29 at home, while the Aggies lost 17-20 in San Marcos. Each one handled the shared opponent it got at home and struggled on the road, which also sums up this matchup.
Home and road have been 2 different teams for San Diego State. At Snapdragon they're 4-1, with the only loss coming against James Madison. Away from home they're 0-4, and those include a 14-66 beating at Oregon State and 56 allowed at Colorado State. A defense that gives up 66 on the road and holds Washington State to 20 at home is a defense that depends on where it's playing, and this one's at home.
Utah State's offense is the worry. The Aggies scored 17 or fewer in 4 of their last 5, and the 31 against Colorado State was the only time they cleared 18. The defense is winning them games right now, and that gets harder on the road against a team coming off a week of rest. San Diego State goes to Boise State the following week, which makes this the more manageable of the Aztecs' next 2.
Saturday, November 14 should be a low-scoring game between 2 teams that have both lived in 1-score finishes. If the Aggies' front keeps winning at the line, Hillstead only has to avoid mistakes. If the Aztecs play like they have at home, Utah State needs more points than it's been scoring.
