The Utah State Aggies and the Air Force Falcons meet Friday in college football action from Falcon Stadium. Utah State played Idaho State in their last game. The Aggies would go on to win in a 50-point blowout. As for Air Force, they’re coming off a matchup versus Sam Houston. In that one the Falcons powered out a 10-point win. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Utah State Aggies 

The Aggies played Iowa in their first game of the season, falling behind 17-3 by halftime during an eventual loss 24-14. QB Cooper Legas managed 213 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the defeat, and Rahsul Faison led the rush with seven carries for 59 yards. Terrell Vaughn added 12 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown as well. 

In last weekend’s matchup versus Idaho State, Utah State scored a whopping 44 points in the second quarter alone on the way to a big 78-28 blowout win. QBs Legas and Levi Williams combined for 193 yards and four touchdowns. Robert Briggs, Faison and Davon Booth combined for four rushing touchdowns in the victory as well. 

Utah State Aggies Team Facts

The favorite has won each of Utah State’s last nine games.
Utah State has covered the spread in each of its last four September road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Utah State has lost the first half in six of its last eight games against conference opponents.
Utah State has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
Four of Utah State’s last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Air Force Falcons 

Over on the Falcons’ side, they took on Robert Morris in their first game and didn’t have too much trouble. Air Force scored points in every quarter (28 in the first half) and rolled to a 42-7 win. Zachary Larrier managed 95 yards and a score on just two completions while also leading the rush on 99 yards and two scores. 

Matched up against Sam Houston last Saturday, the Falcons had a 3-3 tie heading into the final quarter. Air Force posted 10 unanswered points from there in a 13-3 win. Larrier completed just one pass for 14 yards (to John Eldridge) in the win, and Owen Burk had the rushing lead with 75 yards and a score off 18 carries. 

Air Force Falcons Team Facts

Air Force has won each of its last seven games.
Air Force has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games at Falcon Stadium.
Air Force has won the first half in six of its last seven games against conference opponents.
Air Force has won the first quarter in eight of its last 10 home games against conference opponents.
Seven of Air Force’s last eight games as a favorite have gone UNDER 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).
Utah State was one of only 20 FBS teams to win 3+ games when trailing at HT last season.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to try the Aggies in this one. Utah State shouldn’t have had much of a chance against Iowa in their first outing of the year, but the Aggies put up a relatively good showing nonetheless. Utah State’s Achilles heel was the 10 penalties for 91 yards, and the third-down efficiency wasn’t very good at 5-of-17. In their second game versus Idaho State, the Aggies broke a school record with their 44 second-quarter points on the way to 591 total yards (380 rushing) and 8.6 yards per play. This third matchup is likely going to be a run-heavy clock-control affair, and I think Utah State has the cover advantage with their multi-dimensional offense.