Sacramento State takes on San Jose State in CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, California. Kickoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 29 and the faithful can watch this contest live on truTV.
San Jose State is favored (-3 at DraftKings) and the over/under is set at 61.
So, let's get to my Sacramento State vs. San Jose State prediction.
Sacramento State vs San Jose State Prediction
- Sacramento State vs. San Jose State Pick: San Jose State -3
My Sacramento State vs. San Jose State best bet is the Spartans to cover with the best line currently available at DraftKings, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Sacramento State vs San Jose State Odds
| Sacramento State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 60.5 -110 / -110 | +136 |
| San Jose State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 60.5 -110 / -110 | -162 |
- Sacramento State vs San Jose State Point Spread: Sacramento State +3 (-110) · San Jose State -3 (-110)
- Sacramento State vs San Jose State Total: Over/Under 60.5
- Sacramento State vs San Jose State Moneyline: Sacramento State +136 · San Jose State -162
Sacramento State vs San Jose State Preview
Sacramento State Hornets Betting Preview: Defense Could Struggle
Sacramento State has put together some strong campaigns recently and has moved into the upper tier of the Big Sky Conference. However, the Hornets' performance dipped last year, especially on the road, where they suffered losses at Idaho, Montana State, Montana and UC Davis.
In 2024, under second-year head coach Andy Thompson, Sacramento State's offense will likely remain solid as the Hornets return starting quarterbacks Kaiden Bennett and Carson Camp, who both played last year. They return four on the offensive line, three of their top pass catchers and added some FBS transfers in the skill room who are looking to contribute.
Sacramento State is typically undersized on defense and is losing 10 starters from a defense that allowed 421 yards per game in conference play and over four yards per carry. Overall, 14 of the Hornets' top 17 tacklers are gone.
As a result, this defense has major question marks to start the season. The talent added via the portal could help, but playing up in competition this week might make it tough to gauge how serviceable they will be. This defense will be a liability this year.
San Jose State Spartans Betting Preview: New Scheme, But Talent Returning
San Jose State also comes into this game in a massive transition as head coach Brent Brennan left to Arizona. In comes Ken Niumatalolo, a familiar name from Navy, where he spent 16 seasons at the helm.
He has spent plenty of time coaching on the West Coast and will recruit California, Hawaii and the Polynesian communities, which have very solid serviceable talent at the FBS level, well in the long term.
Niumatalolo will not bring the familiar triple option to San Jose State, Instead, he hired Craig Stutzmann (Texas State, Washington State) to run the “Spread and Shred” Air Raid offense.
There will be some growing pains to work through as Chevon Cordero is gone at quarterback, as well as Kairee Robinson and two receivers who contributed last year. Three have also departed from the offensive line.
There are some tools to work with as the Spartans added Washington St. transfer quarterback Emmett Brown, Grambling running back Floyd Chalk IV, receiver Nick Nash and Weber State reveiver Treyshun Hurry. The offensive line is a rebuild full of transfers and likely won't be as productive this year given the change in scheme.
Defensively, the Spartans should be solid on the defensive line as they're returning 1st Team MWC nose tackle Soane Toia and feel good about the returning players at defensive end.
They have a couple guys back at linebacker, but need another couple of guys to step up to shore up the depth of the unit. The secondary could be exposed as they are replacing both safeties and brought in a Texas transfer and some JUCO guys to step in.
Sacramento State vs San Jose State Pick & Prediction
This game line opened at 7.5 and has been quickly bet down, but at what point has this line moved too far?
Both teams are going through rebuilds and Sacramento State has major questions on defense. Everyone in the front seven is new and I very seriously doubt they are going to be able to get pressure on the quarterback. That'll result in pressure on a brand new secondary to try and defend the “Spread and Shred.”
This game should be a back-and-forth affair with plenty of fireworks, but this line has come down too far. Niumatalolo is a wonderful coach, I like the hire at offensive coordinator and the Spartans have continuity at defensive coordinator.
I can't trust Sacramento State's defense to create pressure and get stops. Late in the second half, when the talent disparity kicks in, the Spartans will pull away. Grab the -3 now, or wait for this line to fall further as the market moves will be telling.
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How to Watch Sacramento State vs San Jose State Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | CEFCU Stadium |
| Date: | Thursday, Aug. 29 |
| Kickoff Time: | 10 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | truTV |
Sacramento State vs San Jose State Betting Trends
Sacramento State is 1-4 ATS in its past five games.
