San Jose State on Friday

Who: San Jose State ( 20, 20 MWC) vs. San Diego State ( 20, 20)

When: 6 p. m.

Where: Carson ( Los Angeles County)

TV/ Radio:

CBSSN/ 960

Story line: “If you want to win championships,” San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan said in his news conference Monday,

“you’ve got to beat the best people in your conference. It’s plain and simple.” The Spartans have lost their past seven meetings with San Diego State, which has outscored its first two opponents this season by a combined 7213. The Aztecs have recorded doubledigit wins in four of the past five seasons and have had a winning record in each of the past 10 seasons. San Diego State is playing at the Dignity Health Sports Complex in Carson until it moves into a new stadium in 2022.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

⏩ San Jose State quarterback Nick Starkel was named the Mountain West Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week after he threw for 467 yards and five touchdowns in a 3821 win over New Mexico on Saturday. Over two games, Starkel has connected with Bailey Gaither 18 times for 318 yards. The Spartans’ air game will be tested by San Diego State, which has given up a combined 218 passing yards in two games.

⏩ Brady Hoke, who was San

Diego State’s head coach in 2009 and ’ 10, has returned to the job this season. He has the Aztecs thriving on the ground; four players have run for at least 112 yards, led by senior Greg Bell. The transfer from Nebraska has rushed 41 times for 268 yards ( 6.5 yards per carry).

⏩ San Jose State is looking to go 30 for the first time since 1982.

Head coach Jack Elway’s team, led by quarterback Steve Clarkson and defensive back Gill Byrd, opened that season by beating Oregon, Stanford and Oregon State. Brennan recalled that he was in the second grade at St. Catherine’s Elementary School in Burlingame then.