2015-2016 Football Previews (MWC) – Aztecs
The San Diego State Aztecs enter the 2015 NCAA Football Season following a 2014 campaign that saw them go 7-6. Although that’s not a terrible standing for a team that’s shown improvement over the past few seasons, it’s that exact improvement that makes a 7-win year a bit of a disappointment.
NCAA Football Gambling Lines
- NCAA Offseason Polls
- ***2015 BONUSES***
- [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
MWC Lines
MWC 2015-2016 College Football Preview – San Diego State
Head Coach: Rocky Long
2014 Record: 7-6
Season Win Total (from 5Dimes): 7.5
During that 7-6 season, San Diego State had an opportunity to upset North Carolina and Boise State on the road, but ended up falling 31-27 and 38-29, respectively.
[dfads params=’groups=63738&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
This team is going to use its defense as a crutch, which isn’t a surprise for a Rocky Long-led group. But while we know what we’re getting from the defense, it’s the offense that has the boom-or-bust potential to make or break this season.
Team Strengths
Let’s start with the defense. SDSU allowed an impressive 19.8 points per contest in 2014, and that’s with both cornerback J.J. Whittaker and middle linebacker Jake Fely missing a combined majority of the year to injury.
Both of these guys have received extended eligibility, which means if they stay healthy, this defense could be even better next season.
[dfads params=’groups=66501&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Outside linebacker Calvin Munson is unequivocally the big name on know on the defensive side of the ball. Last season, he had four interceptions and 10.5 tackles for a loss. He also had a team-high four sacks.
Offensively, look for running back Donnell Pumphrey to follow up an incredible season with another strong showing. Last year, the tailback recorded a school-record 1,867 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore.
To put that into perspective, he’s on pace to put his name alongside the likes of Marshall Faulk, Larry Ned and Ronnie Hill as the only players in the football program’s history to rush for 3,000 yards over the course of a career.
Team Weaknesses
As exciting as a quarterback battle can be from a media perspective, it’s rarely a good place to start when you’re hoping for your football program to take a step forward.
Entering the spring, SDSU had five names in the running for the quarterback position. … You read that correctly — five names.
With spring a thing of the past and fall on the horizon, it looks as if Kentucky transer Maxwell Smith has established himself as the potential frontrunner. Christian Chapman doesn’t appear to be far behind, but also in the running is Jake Rodrigues from Oregon, Nick Bawden and Ryan Agnew.
Despite being 28th in the country in terms of rushing yards per contest (216.1), the offense only managed to put up 25 points per game (91st in the nation) because of its paltry passing game.
On the year, San Diego State tallied just 178.4 passing yards per contest. That number was only good enough for 108th in the nation — a number that must improve in 2015.
San Diego State Aztecs 2015-2016 Prediction: 8-4
The Aztecs have made it to five straight bowl games. This is the first time this program can make that claim.
The only catch is that as steady as this team has been, it’s also been far from spectacular.
[dfads params=’groups=63739&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
As we mentioned at the very start, going 7-6 was a bit of a disappointment last season. In fact, those seven wins were the team’s fewest number of wins in five years, and the expectation around the program is to be better than that.
If this team can stay healthy, and just as importantly, if the offense can stay consistent(ly better), you’re looking at a team that has the potential to make the MWC championship game. Expect this team to be better than last season, but likely not as good as boosters and fans are hoping for.
San Diego State Aztecs 2015 Football Schedule
- Sat, Sept 5 vs. San Diego
- Sat, Sept. 12 @ California
- Sat, Sept. 19 vs. South Alabama
- Sat, Sept. 26 @ Penn State
- Sat, Oct. 3 vs. Fresno State
- Sat, Oct. 10 @ Hawaii
- Sat, Oct. 17 @ San Jose State
- Fri, Oct. 23 vs. Utah State
- Sat, Oct. 31 @ Colorado State
- Sat, Nov. 14 vs. Wyoming
- Fri, Nov. 21 @ UNLV
- Sat, Nov. 28 vs. Nevada
Check out our Updated College Football Odds.
And…as always click to view our top cappers COLLEGE FOOTBALL daily plays CLICK HERE!
The 2015 College futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on NCAA football, you are in the best possible place for online betting. CappersPicks.com has NCAAF odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find College football lines up for early games as well.
[dfads params=’groups=63706&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
