San Diego State Aztecs vs Stanford Cardinal CFB Odds, Betting Preview 8/31/18

A Friday night CFB betting preview and we will see the San Diego Aztecs invade Stanford Stadium to rumble with the Stanford Cardinals. This contest will kickoff at 9:00 PM ET. Stanford will be looking for some revenge after losing 20-17 at San Diego State last year. The Aztecs went a strong 10-3 last year, while the Cardinal went 9-5 and played in the Pac-12 Title game.

Lines:  Stanford -14… Over/Under 58.5

About San Diego State

The San Diego State Aztecs had a strong 103 season last year, but they did lose 42-35 to Army in the Armed Forces Bowl. Their resume did include a 20-17 home win over then #19 Stanford and they will be looking for another upset in this one. The Aztecs have seven starters back on offense, but they will be without RB Rashaad Penny, who ran for 2248 yards and 23 TDs last year. Juwan Washington ran for 759 yards and seven TDs last year and will take over. Christian Chapman threw for 1873 yards with 13 TDs and just four INTs last year and could be asked to do more this year as they are without Penny. The bad news is that the Aztecs have a very weak receiver corps. The good news is that he will set up behind a powerful offensive line.

The defense has led this team year in and year out and this year should be no different. The Aztecs allowed just 20.2 ppg last year and have seven starters back from that group. They have allowed just 314 and 315 ypg the last two year and have allowed no more than 20.2 their last four. Last year, they allowed the Cardinal just 254 yards of total offense. They did allow Bryce Lobe to pile up 184 yards rushing and two TDs and you can bet that they will be looking to slow him down. They have allowed 136 ypg or less rushing in each of the last three years. The Aztecs have their work cut out for them in this one.     

About Stanford

The Stanford Cardinal went 9-5 last year, but they also lost their bowl game as they fell 39-37 to TCU in the Alamo Bowl. They made it to the Pac-12 title game and lost that one as well. It was not a good end to their season, but they are loaded this year and will look to get off to a good start. The offense has nine starters back, including one of the Heisman favorites in Bryce Love. He ran for 2118 yards and 19 TDs last year and will be looking for another huge season. Love has the luxury of setting up behind the 4th best offensive line in the nation. Their line against a solid Aztec defensive line should be fun to watch. The Cardinal still have the edge in the trenches. KJ Costello is back at QB and he has the 2nd best set of WRs in the league to throw to. This offense will be very good this year.

The Cardinal has been very good on defense as they have allowed 22.7 ppg or less in each of the last seven years. This year’s defense has six starters back and should keep their string of allowing 22.7 ppg or less going. Their secondary and defensive line is very solid, while their linebacking corps ranks as 4th best in the nation. This defense will not have the same test as the did last year as Rashaad Penny is no longer with the Aztecs. He ran for 175 yards and a TD on the Cardinal last year. This is a solid team, but the team on the other side is very solid as well. Should be a very good game.  

Trends

San Diego State is:

6-1 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.

5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games

5-12-1 ATS in their last 18 non-conference games

The Under is 4-1 in their last 5 vs. the Pac-12

Stanford Is:

5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass

7-2 ATS in their last 9 Friday games

The Over is 5-2 in their last 7 Friday games