Pumphrey, San Diego State run past Utah State 48-14

SDSU, Boise State and Northern Illinois are the only schools from the Group of 5 conferences to play in five bowl games in a row. How big was the win for Utah State? Myers is coming off a three-touchdown game against Boise State. In its 56-14 road win against Fresno State (10/10), USU snapped a six-game losing streak to the Bulldogs, and a seven-game losing streak on the road, as it hadn’t defeated the Bulldogs since a 2006 win in Logan and hadn’t won in Fresno since 1980. The Aztecs have the personnel to pull the upset at home, but we’re bullish on Utah State, which was actually picked to end up in the Fiesta Bowl by several experts in the preseason. Winning out would guarantee the Aggies a spot in the title game, and likely a rematch with the Aztecs.

The pick: Utah State 28, SDSU 20. During its last three games, all of which were against Mountain West opponents, USU forced 15 turnovers (3 vs. Colorado State, 4 vs. Fresno State, 8 vs. Boise State) and committed just two turnovers. I mean, you’ve got both leaders from both divisions (at) 3-0, so here we go.

Utah State finally scored on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Myers to Hunter Sharp to put points on the board with 5:14 remaining in the first half.

USU (4-2, 3-0 MW) is favored to prevail tonight, but it will still be a tall order against a SDSU program that has won 13 straight home tilts against unranked conference opponents.

This will be the first time the Aggies have squared off against the Aztecs since they accepted an invitation to the Mountain West three years ago.

Kent Myers has been phenomenal as the Aggies’ starting quarterback with an 8-1 career record.

Fresno State at Air Force (-17): Tough matchup for the Bulldogs, a poor tackling team facing a triple-option offense. The Utah State Aggies ground game is averaging 169.3 yards per contest, and Devante Mays leads the way with 322 yards and four touchdowns. The Aggies are also riding a three-game win streak into Friday night’s game, and the only losses they have taken this season were against Pac-12 teams. We’re a little anxious coach Brian Polian is losing the team, but the Wolf Pack should get untracked against Hawaii, which has lost 22 of its last 23 road games. Pumphrey had 152 yards rushing last week against San Jose State, and the Aztecs are hoping he continues to dominate against the Aggies. Clearly not the marquee matchup of the week, but both teams should have plenty of motivation. The pick: Boise State 48, Wyoming 17.

SECONDARY CONCERN: Boise State will be without senior cornerback Donte Deayon for about a month after minor knee surgery.