Ohio Bobcats (10-4 last season) vs. San Diego State Aztecs
Ohio Bobcats vs. San Diego State Aztecs 8/26/2023 – Ohio made a remarkable comeback last year, and their double-digit victory total, particularly in the MAC, caught everyone’s attention. Even though the Bobcats had a lot of grit on the road last year, traveling across the nation in week one is probably going to be a challenge. They also won their bowl game at a neutral location after winning their prior three road games. Even though this will be a bigger task than earlier MAC games, they won’t be deterred by having to travel to San Diego.
San Diego State is still one of the top Group of 5 programs, but after a disappointing season by their high standards, they are focused on making 2023 a year to remember. Despite not having the most challenging schedule, they still managed to finish with a winning record of 7-6, but it was a battle to reach that win number. They are expected to place somewhere in the middle of the Mountain West this year, but even a small turn of events might move them closer to the top of the league. They face a formidable test in Ohio, but winning at home will help them set the tone for the season. Get insights and predictions with free daily NCAAF picks.
Bobcats vs. Aztecs Game Info
| When: | Saturday, August 26, 2023 7:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Snapdragon Stadium, CA |
| TV: | FS1 |
| Stream: | N/A |
Bobcats QB Kurtis Rourke and Aztecs QB Jalen Mayden
In this game, the offensive and injury front are linked, and Kurtis Rourke, the great quarterback from last year, is the center of attention. Despite the fact that the Bobcats still looked great without him after he suffered an ACL injury with only a few games remaining in his MAC Conference Player of the Year campaign, he has the power to change the outcome of this contest. Last season, he threw 25 touchdown passes and only four interceptions, but he might need to recover quite a bit from rust this time. This offense will be in terrific shape if All-MAC wide receiver Sam Wiglusz, 1,000-yard RB Sieh Bangura, and O’Shaan Allison return to the backfield are all added.
San Diego State returns a talented quarterback to the offense in Jalen Mayden, who will take over at quarterback. He switched from the defensive side to the most crucial position in the middle of the season, amassing nearly 2,000 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. He should only be sharper and more assured this year, as he had a whole preseason. The wide receiver room should develop along with the quarterback, and a more effective run game is required to restore the balance lost from the previous season.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: San Diego State Aztecs -2.5, Total Odds: 49
Although this will be a challenging challenge for Ohio, they will go on to have a good season in the MAC. Traveling across the nation will be difficult in the beginning, and doing so in the first game of the season while still trying to shake off the rust will make matters worse. In addition, Ohio’s quarterback is recovering from an ACL tear, so it’s unclear when he’ll be able to play.
On the other hand, despite Mayden shifting his attention to the defensive side of the ball for training camp and the first few games of the season, the Aztecs had success with him at quarterback last year. There are significantly fewer questions about his capacity to succeed now that he completed a full camp than when Rourke was on the other side. The Bobcats might hang around early, but they won’t have the offensive or defensive firepower to keep up in the second half of this game with everything working against them.
Ohio Bobcats Betting Trends
Ohio Bobcats are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 matches. The Ohio Bobcats are 8-1 SU in their last 9 matches. The Bobcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 matches on the road. The Ohio Bobcats are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 matches played in August. Ohio Bobcats are 4-1 SU in their last 5 matches played in week 1.
San Diego State Aztecs Betting Trends
The total went OVER in 4 of San Diego State’s last 6 matches. The San Diego State Aztecs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 matches at home. The San Diego State Aztecs are 6-1 SU in their last 7 matches against an opponent in the Mid-American conference. The total went UNDER in 7 of San Diego State’s last 8 matches played in August. The San Diego State Aztecs are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 matches played in week 1.
Ohio Bobcats vs. San Diego State Aztecs 8/26/2023 Betting Picks
Kurtis Rourke finished in the top ten in completion percentage and passing yards per game. He appears to be on track in his injury recovery and should play in this game. The Aztecs have plenty of holes on defense and have a more dynamic offense with Mayden at the helm. Look for the Bobcats to pull off the upset in a game that goes over the total. Get insights and predictions with free daily sports picks.
Free Pick and Prediction: San Diego State Aztecs will win 27-24.