San Diego State represents what Spartans hope to become

When struggling 0-6 San Jose State visits 5-1 San Diego State today, the Spartans will see a wellrespected, winning football program they aspire to resemble.

If the Spartans can somehow manage a win today, it could also be the perfect harbinger for second-year coach Brent Brennan’s program. Or at the least, a big positive step forward.

“San Diego State is great model for us because it’s another CSU with a similar footprint being in a big city like we are; facing similar challenges in terms of our fanbase. Watching what they’ve built there is really impressive,” Brennan said.

“I had brief job there in 2004 and after all their facilities upgrades, it took them three to four years to really make their move. Before that, they had a similar track record as us. And I talk a lot about that with our administration and donors, so why wouldn’t we want to be like them?”

How can the Spartans jumpstart the second half of their season? It might start on the offensive

line.

“The more the offensive line plays together, they will gel and get more comfortable playing together.” Brennan said. “Against Army and going against a defense like SDSU, they present a whole other challenge schematically. It’s not something you see every day. As different as Army was offensively, SDSU is as almost that different defensively. And we have a lot of work to do to put together a good plan to give our players a chance to execute.”

The defensive line can also be a factor.

“In how our defense works together, I can only make plays if the guy next to me does his assignment. So, it speaks to how we work together as a unit.” SJSU senior defensive lineman Bryson Bridges said. “For example, (defensive tackle) Boogie (Roberts) doing his job holding up the center, it’s a mundane task he has to do every play, but for him doing that, it allows me to make plays.”

Beyond the big bodies, success is dependent on stable quarterback play. Halfway through the season, it’s clear the pecking order is Josh Love, then Montel Aaron. Though Aaron is the better athlete, Love’s experience and awareness is the difference.

Can Brennan and the Spartans possibly get win No. 1 in San Diego State coach Rocky Long’s 100th career game?

San Jose State has shown the elements to compete this season before falling apart. The Spartans would have to put together a full 60 minutes of football.