The San Diego State Aztecs and the Air Force Falcons meet in week 5 Mountain West conference college football action from Falcon Stadium on Saturday night.

Aztecs Lose Third Straight

The San Diego State Aztecs come into this game losers of three in a row after falling to 2-3 on the year after a 34-31 loss to Boise State last time out. Jalen Mayden has thrown for 942 yards, 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions on 62.3% passing while also leading San Diego State in rushing with 278 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jaylon Armstead also has 230 rushing yards with 4 TDs while Mark Redman leads San Diego State with 18 receptions for 208 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Aztecs also have another three 100+ yard receivers this season. On defense, Zyrus Fiaseu leads San Diego State with 30 total tackles and 2 sacks while Tupu Alualu has 2 sacks as well. Cedarious Barfield has a team-high 3 interceptions while Noah Tumblin has a pair of interceptions as well.

San Diego State Aztecs Team Facts

San Diego State has won three of its last four September games as a road underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
San Diego State has covered the spread in each of its last four road games.
San Diego State has won the first quarter in four of its last five road games against conference opponents.
San Diego State has won the first half in each of its last 10 road games against conference opponents.
Four of San Diego State’s last five road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Air Force Remains Unbeaten

The Air Force Falcons took out San Jose State last time out to improve to 4-0 on the year thanks to a 45-20 victory. Zac Larrier has thrown for 221 yards and a touchdown on 8 of 12 passing while rushing for 259 yards and 6 TDs. Emmanuel Michel leads Air Force with 322 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns while John Lee Eldridge III has 254 rushing yards with 3 scores and Owen Burk also has 222 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns. On defense, Alec Mock has a team-high 31 total tackles along with a pair of sacks while PJ Ramsey has 3.5 sacks to lead Air Force and Bo Richter also has a pair of sacks on the year.

Air Force Falcons Team Facts

Air Force has won each of its last nine games.
The road team has covered the spread in each of the last five games between San Diego State and Air Force.
Air Force has won the first quarter in five of its last six home games against conference opponents.
Air Force has won the first half in five of its last six home games against conference opponents.
Four of Air Force’s last five September home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Air Force ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q1 points allowed per game last season (2.0).
Air Force ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q3 points allowed per game last season (1.5).
San Diego State ranked T7th among FBS teams for H1 win percentage last season (.769).
San Diego State ranked 13th among FBS teams for H1 points allowed per game last season (8.7).

Chris’ Pick

I’m sticking with Air Force here. Is it always wise to lay double-digit with a service academy that loves to run the option? No, but I’m not sold on San Diego State offensively and the defense hasn’t been able to stop the run up to this point in the season. And for running an option offense, the Falcons have been able to put up points in bunches more often than not this season and I’m just not sure I trust San Diego State to be able to keep up here. Give me Air Force in this one.