Steady Aztecs eye bowl bid
COLLEGE FOOTBALL RANKINGS: NO. 41 SAN DIEGO STATE
San Diego State posted a winning season in 1998 and didn’t repeat the feat again until 2010.
Coach Brady Hoke jumped to Michigan and veteran assistant coach Rocky Long took over.
Some were skeptical, noting he left New Mexico after delivering some winning seasons but falling short of contending for Mountain West titles.
Long has silenced critics by posting seven consecutive winning seasons, three conference championships and three bowl wins.
The Aztecs show no signs of slowing down and are No. 41 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.
San Diego State
Rocky Long (64-29, entering eighth season; 129-98 overall)
10-3, 6-2 in Mountain West; second in West Division
Star running back Rashaad Penny rushed for 2,027 yards and accounted for 2,698 all-purpose yards during the regular season, earning AllAmerican honors and finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. San Diego State raced out to a 6-0 start before falling 31-14 to Boise State and 27-3 to Fresno State. The Aztecs regrouped to close the regular season on a fourgame win streak, but the two midseason losses kept them out of the Mountain West title game. San Diego State pushed Army, but the Aztecs fell 42-35 in the Armed Forces Bowl.
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RB/KR Rashaad Penny, WR Mikah Holder
OL Tyler Roemer, OL Keith Ismael, LB Ronley Lakalaka, DB Tariq Thompson
San Diego State has thrived thanks to a bruising rushing attack and speedy defense willing to take chances to make big plays. The Aztecs consistently field record-setting rushers. Juwan Washington is projected to be the next big San Diego State rushing star. He’ll get help up front from a solid offensive line, which is anchored by returning starters Tyler Roemer and Keith Ismael.
The Aztecs have thrived running Long’s 3-3-5 defense, which is known for confusing opposing quarterbacks. The seasoned defense should get big plays out of linebacker Ronley Lakalaka and defensive back Tariq Thompson.
The Aztecs are known for their gritty play and will have to be even tougher than usual during key road matchups against Fresno State and Boise State, two teams that return a lot of talent and should contend for league titles.
It’s a testament to Long that the Aztecs fell short of conference championship expectations last season but still managed 10 wins. San Diego State should once again post a winning season and be in the mix for a bowl victory, but a conference title will require a push to overcome formidable Boise State and Fresno State.