Friday, October 14, 2011

Predicting the Aggies vs. Vandals game

First off, this is a big game for both teams.

The Aggies need this one — a winnable conference game at home. If they want to hit the five-win plateau this season, this is a must-win game. At 2-3, they have a shot at getting back to the .500 mark overall and in conference play.

Idaho needs the win badly too. At 1-5 overall, 0-2 in the WAC they’re going to come in ready to play.

Idaho quarterback Brian Reader is a player to watch. He hasn’t progressed this year and hasn’t been accurate. His play will be a key element in determining a winner Saturday night.

Idaho hasn’t been able to score points. Last week the team scored 11 total and none offensively — a punt-return touchdown, a field goal and a safety.

NMSU has to stop the run, get off to a quick lead and put the game in Reader’s hands.

Idaho has a good special teams unit. Running back Princeton McCarty has hurt the Aggies through the years.

Defensively, the Vandals have shown they’re a better than in past years and will bring the blitz.

The Aggies are coming off their big win at UNM followed by a bye week. I think the team will be OK here.

My prediction: New Mexico State 23, Idaho 17

Follow me on Twitter @TeddyFeinberg

Game info
Who: Idaho (1-5, 0-2) at NMSU (2-3, 0-1)
What: College football, Week 7
Where: Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces
When: Saturday, 6:07 p.m.
Weather: Sunny, temperatures in the low 80s at kickoff
Spread: Aggies -1
Radio: KGRT-FM 104; Vista-FM 98.7 (Spanish)
TV: AggieVision

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Outside of Taveon Rodgers, the special teams SUCK!!
No way this game should have been this close!

The offense played well and the Defense forced turnovers and got the stops at the right time.

Ken Murphy needs to relieved of his special team duties...he's obviously clueless and it reflects on his unit!