Idaho vs. Texas State Prediction, Game Preview
Idaho vs. Texas State prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the game between the Vandals and Bobcats.
Idaho vs. Texas State prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the game between the Vandals and Bobcats.
Idaho vs. Texas State Game Preview
When: Saturday, November 12 – 12:00 p.m. ET
Where: Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, TX
Broadcast: ESPN3
While it certainly won’t get any national attention, Paul Petrino is doing an outstanding job in his fourth year in Moscow. In fact, at 5-4 after defeating Louisiana-Lafayette he’s nearly matched the win total of his first three seasons combined. And with one more victory, the Vandals will be bowl-eligible for the first time since 2009. Idaho travels to San Marcos to wrap up a three-game road trip. It’ll be facing a struggling Texas State squad that lost to Appalachian State last week and hasn’t defeated an FBS opponent since the opener with Ohio.
What To Know About Idaho
The Vandals are playing their best football of 2016, winning three of the last four games. And all four of their losses were to quality opponents who are in the hunt for their respective conference titles. There are no individual stars, save for maybe punter/placekicker Austin Rehkow. But if last weekend is any indication, a D that was maligned in the early going could carry more of the weight down the stretch. Idaho shut out Louisiana-Lafayette in the second half, surrendering just 266 total yards and getting two sacks apiece from defensive end Aikeem Coleman and linebacker Kaden Elliss.
What to Know About Texas State
The Bobcats are pulling up the rear in the Sun Belt Conference and are one of the worst FBS programs. They’ve experienced major issues on both sides of the ball, but especially on defense. Texas State allows 40 points per game and a whopping 6.4 yards per play. The offense has been unable to pick up the slack, particularly since O-line breakdowns have contributed to quarterback Tyler Jones’ regression from 2015 as a playmaker. Running back Stedman Mayberry has been pulling double-duty for coach Everett Withers, leading the team in both rushing and receiving.
Advantages
Offense: Idaho. Inconsistent to be sure, but quarterback Matt Linehan and versatile running back Isaiah Saunders give the Vandals an edge over the Bobcats.
Defense: Idaho. The Vandals have been playing much better on D, which won’t be said about Texas State anytime soon.
Special Teams: Idaho. Rehkow is a dual-threat star, whose leg will be featured prominently at the NFL level.
Coaching: Idaho. If the Vandals finish strong, Petrino will be a candidate for Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year.
Intangibles: Idaho. True, a third straight road game is challenging, but the Vandals have plenty at stake and are by far the more confident team.
Matchup To Watch
Coleman vs. Texas State OT Ryan Melton
Melton is the Bobcats’ most accomplished blocker, which means he’s the biggest fish in a very shallow pond. He and fellow tackle Tryston Mizerak will have their hands full trying to contain Coleman, who leads the Vandals with 10 stops for loss, seven sacks and seven hurries in his debut out of East Mississippi Community College.
Idaho at Texas State Betting Odds
Spread: Idaho -7.5
Over/Under: No line as of post
Idaho at Texas State Prediction
The Vandals have travelled well this season, winning three of their last four outside of Moscow. It’s a trend that’ll continue in San Marcos. As Idaho inches closer to the postseason, Texas State already has one foot in the offseason. Saunders will run well for a second straight week, notching the first 100-yard game of his career. And when the Bobcats commit extra troops to stop the run, Linehan will make them pay on play-action, connecting downfield to put the game out of reach.
Idaho at Texas State Score Prediction: Idaho 40, Texas State 17
