2015
San Jose State
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
San Jose State started off 2014 with a 3-3 record, but eventually fell of the map at the end of the season and lost six straight Games. The Spartans are expected to finish close to the same number again with an over/under of 4 at 5 Dimes. They are also listed at odds of 20 to 1 to win the MWC at sportsbook.ag
The San Jose State offense will look to rebound on the offensive end, two years removed from quarterback David Fales. Joe Gray is back, but since he didn’t do much in his first year as starter (11 TDs, 9 INTs), the competition is wide-open heading into fall. Gray will be competing with a couple JUCO transfers in Malik Watson and Kenny Potter. Gray has the experience, but how much will that matter after the offense only scored 19.3 points per Game with him at the helm last year? They scored just 17 touchdowns despite 39 red-zone trips.
Al Borges takes over as the offensive coordinator and he has plenty of experience at big colleges such as Michigan and Auburn. Despite a lack of a QB, the Spartans do have quality at the skill positions with running back Tyler Ervin (888 yards) and wide receiver Tyler Winston (78 receptions). Those two should be in for even bigger years, but they will need more help behind Winston at wide receiver. Hansell Wilson (39 receptions) returns, but it could be Justin Holmes that breaks out after he missed 2014 due to an early concussion. The line could be set to start Four sophomores, which is worrisome, but a lot of those guys were starters last year as freshmen.
SJSU improved a bunch on the defensive end last year, allowing less than 30 points per Game, but the main factor was through the air where they allowed just 117.8 passing yards per Game, best in the nation. They return three starters from that group if that says anything. Of course, the front seven wasn’t nearly as good as they allowed close to 240 rushing yards per Game.
They lose a lot of guys from the front seven, but leading tackler linebacker Christian Tago is back as well as Jared Leaf. DT Tony Popovich also needs to be a factor, but didn’t play in spring ball due to injuries. The pass defense may not have as spectacular of numbers, but will still lead the unit. If they can get more from the front end, this group could get some wins on their own.
The Spartans have somewhat of an easier Schedule this year, but they’ll still have to travel to Auburn at the beginning of October, which doesn’t bode well. Getting BYU at home is friendlier than a road Game at Navy in the middle of the year as well. In MWC play, while they draw Boise State, they also host New Mexico out of the Mountain division. To surpass Four wins, they’ll need to win certain Games such as ones at UNLV, Hawaii and Nevada because their home Schedule isn’t great. OUtside of New Mexico, SJSU has a slight shot against San Diego State and Fresno State.
The offense should be able to move the ball again, it’ll be whether they can Scoreor not if this team has a successful season. That starts at quarterback where they were still undecided entering the fall.
2015 San Jose State Football Schedule
Sept. 3 vs. New Hampshire
Sept. 12 at Air Force
Sept. 19 at Oregon State
Sept. 26 vs. Fresno State
Oct. 3 at Auburn
Oct. 10 at UNLV
Oct. 17 vs. San Diego State
Oct. 24 vs. New Mexico
Nov. 6 vs. BYU
Nov. 14 at Nevada
Nov. 21 at Hawaii
Nov. 27 vs. Boise State