2014-15 Football Previews – (Mountain West) – Aztecs
Entering the 2014 college football season, the Fresno State Bulldogs are far and away the favorites for the top spot when it comes to the West Division of the Mountain West Conference.
SDSU
Mountain West Conference 2014-15 College Football Previews:
Head Coach: Rocky Long
2013 Record: 8-5
San Diego State Gambling Odds to win BCS Championship:
San Diego State Gambling Odds to win Mountain West Mountain Division:
San Diego State Gambling Odds to win Mountain West Conference: 12/1
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That said, the San Diego State Aztecs are right there alongside the Nevada Wolf Pack when it comes to second place in their respective division.
San Diego State is in the midst of a run in which it was attended four straight bowl games, and that’s the first time in school history it can make that claim. Will it make it to five? That question won’t be answered until later in the year, but we’re looking at a solid chance to make that happen with the Aztecs seeking out a second-place finish in the West Division.
Team Strengths:
Although quarterback Quinn Kaehler is coming off of offseason surgery, he’s expected to be fine by the time the year begins. His health is, of course, going to be a question, but he’s a consistent player in the offense when San Diego State can’t make that claim about many other players.
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At receiver, Kaehler’s top target will be Ezell Ruffin. He had 63 catches in 2013 for 1,136 yards, and while he’s the go-to receiver in the scheme, Kaehler also has Eric Judge who could emerge as another reliable pass-catcher.
The defense as a whole is going to be searching for options this season, as it allowed 31.7 points per game to opponents a year ago—the 97th-best mark in the country—but linebacker will be a strength in the defensive attack.
Team Weaknesses:
Although Donnel Pumphrey could prove to be a surprise in the backfield, he’s a small-framed option looking to replace Adam Muerna. The former running back is making a run at the NFL, and while Pumphrey has potential, he doesn’t possess the physical attributes that have led running backs to success in this program in recent seasons.
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On defense, this group will have the tough task of replacing safeties EEric Pinkins and Nat Berhe. The two safeties were the top options at their respective positions a year ago, and while there is talent at the position to find a replacement, depth could be a concern.
2014-15 San Diego State Football Gambling Prediction: 7-5
Will San Diego State earn honors as the top team in the West Division? Not likely. The Fresno State Bulldgos are dealing with significant losses, but they’re still the odds-on favorites to make an appearance in the Mountain West title game come the end of the regular season.
Second place, however, is up for grabs, and barring a surprisingly impressive showing from San Jose State, it should come down to San Diego State and Nevada to see who lands a spot in the title competition.
At this point, give the edge to the Aztecs. Their showing won’t earn them a shot at the outright Mountain West title, but seven wins should be enough to keep their streak of bowl games alive. It won’t be easy in a conference that favors pass-first offenses, but if their own offensive attack can hold up and their defense can show at least a little bit of depth, you should be looking at the runner-ups in the West Division.
2014 San Diego State Schedule
- Sat, Aug 30 vs N Arizona
- Sat, Sept 6 @ North Carolina
- Sat, Sept 20 @ Oregon State
- Sat, Sept 27 vs UNLV
- Fri, Oct 3 @ Fresno State
- Fri, Oct 10 @ New Mexico
- Sat, Oct 18 vs Hawaii
- Sat, Nov 1 @ Nevada
- Sat, Nov 8 vs Idaho
- Sat, Nov 15 @ Boise State
- Fri, Nov 21 vs Air Force
- Sat, Nov 29 vs San Jose State
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