2011-2012 Football Previews – Mountain West Conference – SDSU Aztecs
The San Diego State Aztecs had an extraordinary year in 2010, finishing the season 9-4 after a 35-14 win in the Poinsettia Bowl again Navy. Now they will look to improve upon their success in 2011, but will face stiff competition in the WSC.
2011 MWC | San Diego State Aztecs Football Preview
Coach: Rocky Long
2010-11 Record: 9-4 (5-3)
San Diego State Aztecs Gambling Odds from Bodog.com to win BCS Championship: 300-1
MWC Championship Odds: 12-1
SDSU Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
San Diego State was so close to being undefeated in 2010 and it would be absurd for anyone to count them out in the battle for the MWC title.
Last year the Aztecs lost four games, all by five points or less, including a 40-35 thriller against Rose Bowl winner TCU.
This year they bring in Rocky Long at the head coach, a defensive minded guru, to help the defense of the Aztecs that gave up 22 points per game last year. This will be important for them this season, as they will be matched up against offensive powerhouses TCU and Boise State.
Let’s take a look at how San Diego State will look on game day in 2011 on both sides of the ball.
Offense:
This offense rises and falls on the shoulders of Aztecs quarterback Ryan Lindley. The junior, who passed for over 3,800 yards and 28 touchdowns last season, will need to keep his interception count down if SDSU are to be successful this year on offense.
In 2010 Lindley threw 14 interceptions; and in 2009, he threw for 16. In the team’s four losses on the season Lindley he totaled seven interceptions. If Lindley, who isn’t know for his ability to escape out of the pocket if need be, can’t be consistent, then his team will come up short. But if he can be, the Aztecs has all the pieces around him to be successful and push for the MWC title.
Making thing tougher, Lindley lost his top-two receivers. Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson, were snatched up in the NFL Draft last April, but the team has plenty of young stars waiting to step up and make it happen.
Lindley’s favorite target this season may be sophomore tight end Gavin Escobar, who caught 29 balls last season for 323 yards and four touchdowns. Their chemistry will no doubt improve without Brown and Sampson there to catch nearly 70 balls each.
Escobar may become Lindley’s favorite target as the season goes on, but his best option will most likely be sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman.
In Hillman’s freshman year he rushed for 1,532 yards on 262 carries, scoring 17 times. Hillman is the best young running back in the country and will only get better as time goes on.
Defense:
Senior linebacker Miles Burris leads an average defense for San Diego State that lost star defensive back Andrew Preston who went undrafted in the NFL Draft. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Preston’s 78 tackles will leave a huge gap in the defensive backfield, and junior Leon McFadden will have to step up. McFadden has all the tools needed to be an force player for the Aztecs, but will have a hard time making the same impact that Preston did from the safety position.
Burris is no doubt the leader of the defense with Preston out of the picture. Burris led the team in 2010 with 79 tackles. But where he shines is putting pressure on the quarterback, and disrupting the backfield constantly.
Burris racked up a team-high 7.5 sacks in 2010 to go with his 18 tackles for loss. He also forced four fumbles in 2010, all of which came behind the line of scrimmage.
2011 Air Force Prediction: 3rd MWC
With a lot of players moving on after the 2010 season, San Diego State will have a lot of holes, providing chances for younger players to step in and make an impact. With a new defensive-minded head coach, there is little doubt his priorities will be set on improving the defense, and they need it.
Lindley will look to improve in his senior season, but it will be hard for them to match up well with TCU or Boise State without their two NFL-bound receivers.
2011 San Diego St. Aztecs Schedule
9/3/11 10:00 PM ET CALPY
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET @ARMY
9/17/11 6:30 PM ET WSHST
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET @MICH
10/8/11 10:30 PM ET TCU
10/13/11 8:00 PM ET @AIRFC
10/29/11 10:00 PM ET WYOM
11/5/11 8:00 PM ET NMEX
11/12/11 6:00 PM ET @COLST
11/19/11 8:00 PM ET BOIST
11/26/11 10:00 PM ET @UNLV
12/3/11 8:00 PM ET FRSST
