Free College Football Picks Today: Utah Utes vs San Diego State Aztecs 9/17/22

The San Diego State University Aztecs (1-1, 0-0 Away) travel to face the No. 14 University of Utah Utes (1-1, 1-0 Home) at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday. The Utes are 21-point favorites, and the total is 50.San Diego State (1-1, 0-0 Away) is coming off a one-sided 38-7 win over Idaho State at Snapdragon Stadium last Saturday. Braxton Burmeister was 15 of 26 for 108 yards and a touchdown. Jaylon Armstead ran five times for 96 yards. Tyrell Shavers caught three passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. Utah (1-1, 1-0 Home) beat Southern Utah 73-7 at Rice-Eccles Stadium last Saturday. Cameron Rising threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns. Chris Curry carried six times for 60 yards and a touchdown. Dalton Kincaid added two touchdowns of his own. He hauled in seven receptions for 107 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Aztecs won the only game between the teams last season, a 33-31 overtime victory in September. Greg Bell had two touchdowns for San Diego State. Rising tossed three touchdowns for Utah.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Aztecs are averaging 29.0 points per game so far this season, 82nd in FBS, and they are facing a Utes defense that has surrendered 18.0 PPG (45th). Meanwhile, Utah has scored 49.5 points a game this season, ninth in the country, and San Diego State is allowing 22.5 PPG (66th).The Aztecs rank as one of the nation’s top teams in rushing yards per game (275.0, 4th), while they are 129th in passing yards (85.0). The Utes are fourth in passing yards allowed per game (105.0) and 93rd against the run (163.0).Utah has been one of the nation’s top rushing teams, averaging 238.5 yards per game (17th), while ranking 36th in passing yards (284.0). The Aztecs are allowing 278.5 passing yards (112th) and 121.0 rushing yards per game (59th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through two games, Burmeister has thrown for two touchdowns (1 INT) and 79.5 yards per game to lead San Diego State in passing. Armstead leads the team in rushing with an average of 64.5 yards a game over two games. Shavers is the Aztecs’ leading receiver with 23.0 yards a game and two TDs. Rising has four passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 235.0 yards per game through two games to lead Utah. In one previous home game this season, he threw for three TDs and 254 yards. Tavion Thomas has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 81.5 yards a game through two games. He has three touchdowns. Kincaid has been a key target in the Utes’ passing game. He has two touchdowns and a 68.0 yard per game average through two appearances.