Posted on February 1, 2023
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The San Diego State Aztecs jumped back into the top 25, and New Mexico, Boise State, and Nevada are all right outside in the ‘Others Receiving Votes’ category.
This week has plenty of eye-popping matchups, and it started with San Diego State facing Nevada on Tuesday evening.
Here are some matchups worth watching this week, as well as one potential upset pick.
New Mexico at Utah State
Wednesday, February 1
7:30 pm PT, FS1
With that being said, the Aggies need a signature win if they want any chance of getting an at-large bid. Well, this is their perfect opportunity.
The Lobos lost an overtime thriller to Nevada last Monday, and they face Utah State and Nevada again on February 7. This will be the only regular-season tilt between these two programs.
Utah State hasn’t lost at home since falling to Weber State on December 19, and the Aggies played well against San Diego State a week ago.
Utah State gets the huge upset and earns some votes in the next poll.
Prediction: Utah State 78, New Mexico 76
Boise State at No. 22 San Diego State
Friday, February 3
6:00 pm PT, FS1
The only other MWC loss for Boise State came to Nevada by two on the road, so the Broncos have every reason to be considered an easy at-large choice.
However, the Aztecs are the Aztecs—tough, gritty, and one of the most complete teams in the country.
The Aztecs are a difficult team to face anywhere, especially at Viejas Arena, and the Broncos walk out of San Diego with another gut-wrenching loss.
Prediction: San Diego State 71, Boise State 67
Utah State at Colorado State
Saturday, February 4
5:00 pm PT, CBS Sports
Colorado State dropped three straight entering Tuesday’s game against UNLV and is second-to-last in the MWC with just two wins.
Utah State has a tough stretch with New Mexico, Colorado State, and San Diego State, so this has trap game written all over it.
However, the Aggies are too talented and get a tough road win to improve their chances of a top 25 rankings.
Prediction: Utah State 75, Colorado State 64
POTENTIAL UPSET OF THE WEEK
Wyoming at San Jose State
Saturday, February 4
7:00 pm PT, CBS Sports
But San Jose State has dropped five of the last seven games, with three of those losses coming by 20 or more points.
We all know how good Hunter Maldonado is, and this is his time to bounce back and get a huge road victory. Maldonado scores 25-plus, and the Cowboys walk out of San Jose with a huge upset.
Prediction: Wyoming 70, San Jose State 67
—More from Matt Wadleigh—
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