The Sam Houston State Bearkats (0-5) will visit the New Mexico State Aggies (3-3) on Wednesday night. Sam Houston will look to win their first game of the season but gave the undefeated Liberty Flames a scare in their Week 6 loss. Down 21-16, the Bearkats failed to convert on four straight tries from the Liberty three-yard line with under a minute remaining. Meanwhile, New Mexico State cruised past the Florida International Panthers 34-17. The Aggies were relentless on defense, tallying seven sacks and two interceptions in the win.
Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. New Mexico State Aggies Odds and Match Details
| Team | Spread | Total | ML |
| Sam Houston State | +3.5
-115 |
O42.5
-115 |
+140 |
| New Mexico State | -3.5 -105 |
U42.5
-105 |
-165 |
- Fixture: Sam Houston State Bearkats @ New Mexico State Aggies
- Date and Time: October 11, 2023 at 9:00 p.m.
- Location: Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Weather Forecast: Sunny, 87 Degrees
- Field Surface: Artificial Turf
Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. New Mexico State Aggies Injury Report
Sam Houston State Bearkats Injuries
- Ife Adeyi (WR)-Undisclosed: OFS
- John Gentry (RB)- Undisclosed: DOUBTFUL
- Charles Crawford (RB)-Undisclosed: DOUBTFUL
- Zach Hrbacek (RB)-Leg: DOUBTFUL
- Landan Brown (RB)-Undisclosed: DOUBTFUL
- Qua’Vez Humphrey (WR)-Foot: OUT
New Mexico State Aggies Injuries
- N/A
Sam Houston State Bearkats Key Stats
The Sam Houston State Bearkats score a conference-low 10.8 points per game. However, they have been slightly better at throwing the football. Quarterback Keegan Shoemaker has thrown for 731 yards and four scores against five picks across four games this season. However, the rushing attack has been brutal in 2023. The Bearkats average a lowly 2.1 yards per rush attempt on 31 carries per contest. Sam Hoston averages just 3.9 yards per play on offense. However, they are middle-of-the-pack in the conference in turnovers committed per game.
Defensively, Sam Houston has done well. They allow 24.2 points per game, the third-lowest mark in the C-USA. Additionally, opposing passers throw for less than 200 yards per game against the Bearkats. They complete 62% of their passes. However, the front seven have gotten tested. They allow 4.5 yards per rush attempt. They are in the middle of the conference in yards per game and yards per play allowed. Sam Houston also could be better at forcing turnovers.
New Mexico State Aggies Key Stats
The New Mexico State Aggies are one of four teams in the C-USA to score more than 30 points per game (30.5). They have been fantastic throwing the football, completing 63% of their passes. Starting quarterback Diego Pavia has thrown for 1,329 yards and 12 scores against five picks across his team’s first six games. The Aggies average a conference-high 6.1 yards per rush attempt and 7.9 yards per play. However, they do average north of one turnover committed per game.
New Mexico State has done well on defense in 2023. They allow 24.8 points per game, but opposing quarterbacks throw for 248 yards per game on a 63% completion percentage. However, the rushing defense has looked great. Opposing backfields average just 3.9 yards per rush attempt. Unfortunately for Aggie fans, NMSU is second to last in the conference in turnovers forced per game.
Game Prediction
I like the New Mexico State Aggies to cover in Week 7. They have been fantastic at controlling the line of scrimmage, especially on the offensive end of the ball. Sam Houston State has also struggled to run the ball and stop the run in 2023. That is a recipe for disaster when facing this year’s rendition of the Aggies. The splits heavily favor NMSU, so let’s roll with them to cover the short spread on Wednesday.
Pick: New Mexico State -3.5 (-105)
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