San Diego State (3-4, 2-0 Mountain West) will face off against No. 15 Boise State (6-1, 3-0) on Friday at 8 p.m. ET, with the game airing on FS1. The odds from BetMGM show Boise State favored by 23.5 points. Historically, Boise State leads the series with a record of 5-4.

This matchup holds significant implications for both teams. Ashton Jeanty, currently the national leader in rushing yards, is aiming for the Heisman Trophy, while Boise State seeks to secure a position in the new 12-team College Football Playoff format. San Diego State is looking to recover from a close defeat against Washington State, in which they squandered a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter. Both squads remain undefeated in Mountain West Conference play, adding to the stakes.

The pivotal contest features a clash between Boise State’s offensive line and San Diego State’s defensive front. The Broncos’ line has been instrumental in facilitating Jeanty’s impressive performance. The sophomore running back from Jacksonville, Florida, leads the nation with 1,376 rushing yards, averaging 196.6 yards per game, along with 203.71 all-purpose yards.

Key players to keep an eye on include San Diego State’s senior running back Marquez Cooper, who is the leading active player in FBS for both rushing yards (4,604) and all-purpose yards (5,278). He is also tied for first in rushing touchdowns (41) and ranks third in rushing yards per game (94.0). Cooper has rushed for 748 yards this season and scored eight touchdowns to date.

On the other hand, Jeanty has made history with his performance, recording 1,376 rushing yards and 12 receptions. He is the first FBS player to achieve such statistics in his team’s first seven games since the legendary 1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams from Texas.

In terms of background, Boise State achieved bowl eligibility for the 27th consecutive year with their recent victory over UNLV. The Broncos have won the last two matchups against the Aztecs and will enjoy a week of rest compared to San Diego State, which will be under a tight schedule with short preparation time. Notably, SDSU has played in four straight games that were decided by three points or fewer, marking a first in their Division I history since 1969. Additionally, Boise State leads FBS in sacks with an average of five per game, while San Diego State ranks third at four per game.