No. 18 BYU (9-1) vs. San Diego State (4-3)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 8 p.m. MST
- Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium (only players’ and coaches’ families permitted to attend)
- Surface: Natural grass
- TV: ESPN2
- Livestream: WatchESPN
- Radio: KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM
- Series: BYU leads 38-8-1
- Weather: Clear with temperatures in the high teens at kickoff.
THE STAKES
For San Diego State … The Aztecs are trying to add a second loss for the Cougars, one week after BYU dropped its first game of the season at Coastal Carolina.
For BYU … The Cougars are no longer in New Year’s Six consideration but are hoping to finish the season strong with a high ranking.
THE TRENDS
For San Diego State … The Aztecs will be looking to win a second straight game — their victory last week over Colorado State put them over .500 on the year.
For BYU … Despite an overwhelming lead in the overall series, the Cougars lost to San Diego State 13-3 in California last year and will try to exact some revenge this time around.
THE CRYSTAL BALL
San Diego State will win if … the Aztecs utilize a time-consuming ground attack to keep the Cougars offense off the field, like Coastal Carolina did last week.
BYU will win if … the Cougars regain the efficiency they showed on offense through the first nine games of the season.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Greg Bell, San Diego State running back: The senior back has rushed for 569 yards in six games this year, with six rushing touchdowns. Bell has averaged 5.9 yards per carry and added 72 receiving yards and another score.
San Diego State running back Greg Bell runs for a first down against Nevada during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Reno, Nev.
Lance Iversen, Associated Press
KEY MATCHUP
BYU pass offense vs. San Diego State pass defense: While Zach Wilson has BYU’s pass offense averaging 324.1 yards through the air each game, the Aztecs are allowing only 168.4 and SDSU is No. 3 nationally in total defense.
QUOTABLE
“We’ve got a big opportunity this week obviously, playing the 14th ranked team in the country. BYU is doing a lot of things great. I know they are disappointed after last weekend, but they took the game on Thursday. For their defense, going in to play an option style of an offense in two days, that’s tough duty. I do think they’re an awfully good football team.”
— San Diego State coach Brady Hoke
“(There’s) a lot to play for still this week. San Diego State, they beat us last year. We’re getting them at home and on Senior Night. We’ve got to be ready to work.”
— BYU coach Kalani Sitake
NEXT UP
End of regular season for both teams; bowl games TBD.
BYU SCHEDULE
Sept. 7 — BYU 55, Navy 3
Sept. 19 — at Army (POSTPONED)
Sept. 26 — BYU 48, Troy 7
Oct. 2 — BYU 45, Louisiana Tech 14
Oct. 10 — BYU 27, UTSA 20
Oct. 16 — BYU 43, Houston 26
Oct. 24 — BYU 52, Texas State 14
Oct. 31 — BYU 41, Western Kentucky 10
Nov. 6 — BYU 51, Boise State 17
Nov. 21 — BYU 66, North Alabama 14
Dec. 5 — Coastal Carolina 22, BYU 17
Dec. 12 — San Diego State (8 p.m., ESPN2)
All times MST