2012-13 Football Previews – (WAC) – San Jose State
In 2010, San Jose State went 1-10 and didn’t win a single game in the WAC. Last year, the team went 5-7 and 3-4 in the WAC. Mike Macintyre did such a nice job getting the team going in the right direction that he picked up a contract extension through 2017. Can the Spartans keep progressing in their final year of play in the WAC?
WAC 2012-2013 College Football Previews: San Jose State Spartans
Head Coach: Mike Macintyre
2011 Record: 5-7
San Jose State Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS Championship: (Part of Field) +1,800
San Jose State Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win WAC: +450
San Jose State won three games by a total of seven points last year, so the team could have easily been 3-9 or 2-10. Still, the fact that the team was able to beat Fresno State and Colorado State were great signs for the future of the program. Six of the team’s seven losses last year came against teams that qualified for a bowl game. Let’s take a look at this year’s roster.
Team Strengths:
San Jose State probably has the best group of receivers in the WAC. Noel Grigsby has 89 receptions for 886 yards last year. He is a guy who runs good routes and his quickness really is tough for cornerbacks to handle. Chandler Jones is a very good receiver as well. Tight End Ryan Otten is one of the top tight ends in the nation, and I expect him to play big role in the Spartans offense this year.
The linebackers should be the strength of the defense. Keith Smith led the team in tackles with 104 last year, and he should be the leader of the defense again this season. Vince Buhagair and Derek Muaava complete a group that should make a ton of plays for this team in 2012. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Team Weaknesses:
San Jose State has a big question mark at the quarterback spot. Matt Faulkner was a good one for the team last year, but he graduated. Tate Forcier was expected to be the main man this year, but he left the school earlier this year due to academic issues. No matter who starts for San Jose State, the team will be counting on an extremely inexperienced signal caller.
The secondary lost a star in Duke Ihenacho, and it will be tough to replace him. San Jose State has a solid safety in James Orth, but the majority of the secondary will be untested heading into the season.
The offensive line must replace three starters from last year. The front line isn’t as deep as the coaching staff would like, and they are slightly smaller than your average offensive line in college football right now. This could be a problem area for the Spartans this season.
2012-2013 San Jose State Spartans Football Prediction: 4-8
San Jose State did take a big step forward last year, but it was partially due to an easy schedule. Playing in the WAC, they’ll still play an easy league schedule in 2012. They do have to play at Stanford, Navy, and San Diego State in non-conference action. I expect the Spartans to struggle quite a bit this year. With no clear starter at quarterback and an inexperienced line, this team will likely have trouble moving the ball. Look for them to be behind Louisiana Tech and Utah State in the WAC.
2012 San Jose State Schedule
8/31/12 10:00 PM ET @STAN
9/8/12 8:00 PM ET UCDAV
9/15/12 8:00 PM ET COLST
9/22/12 TBD @SDST
9/29/12 TBD @NAVY
10/13/12 4:00 PM ET UTAST
10/20/12 2:00 PM ET @TXSA
10/27/12 4:00 PM ET TEXST
11/3/12 5:00 PM ET @IDAHO
11/10/12 3:30 PM ET @NMXST
11/17/12 4:00 PM ET BYU
11/24/12 4:00 PM ET LTECH
