Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

FACTS & STATS: Site: Spartan Stadium (30,456) -- San Jose, California. Television: WAC-TV, CSN-CA. Home Record: Idaho 1-4, SJSU 2-1. Away Record: Idaho 0-3, SJSU 1-4. Neutral Record: Idaho 0-0, SJSU 0-0. Conference Record: Idaho 0-4, SJSU 2-2. Series Record: San Jose State leads, 12-9-1.

GAME NOTES: Still winless in league play the Idaho Vandals will travel to San Jose State to take on the Spartans in a Western Athletic Conference bout at Spartan Stadium.

It has been a long, tough season for the Vandals as they head into this weekend with just one win in eight games. The only win for Idaho came against North Dakota at home and since then the team has dropped seven consecutive games. The last time Idaho was in action the team suffered a tough 16-14 setback to Hawaii.

As for the Spartans, they have dropped two of their last three games, and the most recent loss was a 38-28 decision against Louisiana Tech on the road. The loss left San Jose State with a mediocre 2-2 mark in league play.

The Vandals have won the last two matchups against San Jose State. Despite the losses, the Spartans still own a 12-9-1 edge over Idaho in the all-time series.

Points have been tough to come by for the Vandals this season, so it is no surprise the team has just one victory. The ground game has been terrible, averaging just 85.2 ypg on an equally poor 2.9 yards per carry.

Princeton McCarty has been the best option out of the backfield, but he comes into this weekend with just 458 yards and two scores. The passing attack has not been any better because Brian Reader has been tremendously inconsistent. The quarterback has thrown just nine touchdowns against eight interceptions and has completed just 53.0 percent of his throws.

The last time Idaho was in action the team actually found some success on the ground, but that still wasn't good enough to propel the team to victory. Idaho finished with 149 yards on 38 carries and the best of the bunch was McCarty, who finished with 99 yards. Brian Reader threw for only 52 yards and was intercepted once and also had to split time with Taylor Davis, who also had trouble. Davis completed just 6-of-17 passes for only 33 yards and was picked off once.

Playing in the WAC means a defense will have to prepare to defend the pass, and unfortunately for the Vandals that has been their biggest weakness. Idaho is surrendering 27.9 ppg and that is because the team is being torched for 280.6 ypg and has allowed 16 touchdowns through the air.

Idaho's inability to stop the pass continued in its recent loss to Hawaii, as the Warriors threw for 338 yards and one touchdown. The was the only bad part of a relatively good showing by the Vandals, who forced three turnovers, recorded six sacks and held Hawaii to only 15 rushing yards. Benson Mayowa collected three of the sacks, and it was the first time all season he got to the quarterback.

Just like the Vandals the Spartans have found it tough to produce at a consistent level. San Jose State has done little on the ground, rushing for just 114.9 yards per game on only 3.6 yards per carry. SJSU has found some success via the pass, but Matt Faulkner has made too many mistakes to this point. The quarterback has thrown for 1,812 yards and eight touchdowns, but he has also been intercepted 11 times.

In the loss to Louisiana Tech, Faulkner threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns, but he threw four picks and one was returned for a touchdown. Brandon Rutley, who is leading the team with 612 rushing yards, finished with only 23 in the setback, but he did record his seventh touchdown.

The Spartans have, at times, played well offensively, but even when that happens, the defense has done nothing to back it up. San Jose State is surrendering 31.2 ppg and the kryptonite for this defense has been the run, as opponents are punishing the Spartans for 194.5 ypg and have scored 15 touchdowns via the run.

Louisiana Tech took full advantage of San Jose State's weakness and rumbled for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Because the Spartans were unable to stop the run, the Bulldogs were on the field for nearly 35 minutes of the matchup and converted 10-of-23 third downs against SJSU.

James Orth led the team in the loss with 13 tackles, while Tiuke Tuipulotu added nine stops. Keith Smith, who is leading the team with 66 tackles, collected eight in the setback.

Neither team has played well this year, but the Vandals have been worse, and do not appear to be getting better as the season wears on. Idaho might be able to keep it close, but do not expect the team to earn its first league win on the road.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: San Jose Sate 37, Idaho 22