Football on the Fringe Season Previews were ranked, then delivered in random order.
San Diego State rumbled through 2009 at 4-8, a big improvement over the 2-10 campaign from a season before. 7 points over two games meant the difference in being 6-6 and looking for a bowl game, and the Aztecs are looking to make that leap forward this year.
Junior QB Ryan Lindley is back after a 3000 yard season in 2009, and he is joined by starters returning at RB, two WRs, and six more offensive spots. Eight starters return on defense, making SDSU the most experienced team in the Mountain West.
Schedule
9/4/2010 vs. Nicholls State
9/11/2010 at New Mexico State
9/18/2010 at Missouri
9/25/2010 vs. Utah State
10/9/2010 at BYU
10/16/2010 vs. Air Force
10/23/2010 at New Mexico
10/30/2010 at Wyoming
11/6/2010 vs. Colorado State
11/13/2010 at TCU
11/20/2010 vs. Utah
11/27/2010 vs. UNLV
When you look at a Mountain West schedule, you have to start by penciling in three losses unless you’re BYU, Utah, or TCU. After that, a tough nonconference slate could have you out of bowl contention before you even get to midseason. Fortunately, SDSU’s out of conference games are very approachable, with two teams from the bottom half of the WAC. Missouri is a pretty good Big 12 team, but they may not be invincible if the Aztecs have a perfect day.
Coaching
Brady Hoke enters his second year as head coach of the Aztecs, after spending six seasons as head coach at Ball State- including a 12-0 regular season in 2008. He was rumored to be a candidate for openings at Syracuse and Auburn after the 2008 year, and I have no doubt that the rumors will churn again if SDSU keeps improving on his watch.
Rankings
The Mountain West media has SDSU 6th in their preseason poll.
Outlook
There is reason for optimism amongst Aztec fans this year. If they can get the job done against Utah State, the second best nonconference team they’ll face this year, then bowl eligibility is in their grasp- they only need 3 conference wins, and I think they’ll get them. I can see anywhere from 5 to 7 regular season wins this year, but 6 is most likely.
San Diego State Connections
I can’t find a living message board for the Aztecs. Aztectalk.com looks like it used to be the one, but it appears to be dead.
Sign On San Diego – Local coverage of the Aztecs