Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

San Diego State and the PAC . . .

Posted: September 14, 2024 in Uncategorized
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Yeah, I employed the dot dot dot because who knows where and when the PAC stops. 8? 9? 24?

Silly? To a point.

Congrats to John David Wicker and Adela de la Torre. Perseverance coupled with tenacity (not the same quality) finally yields rewards. SDSU lands in a place of hope and dreams (apologies to Bruce Springsteen). SDSU leaves the Mountain West Conference and its necessary boondoggle of travel to far away places such as Laramie, Logan and, yes, Honolulu. The first two locations are in never-never land while Honolulu is the time equivalent of a NYC flight. The breath taking of altitude is gone. Gasping for air is now a tell-me-when story for old men.

Addressing the doomsayers: The third time (remember the long ago attempt to join the Big East? The August, 2023 implosion of the PAC-12 days after the Aztecs accepted an offer to join?) is a charm. Oregon State (hereafter known as the Beavs) and Washington State (hereafter known as Wazoo) are sitting on the substantial sum of $250 million looking for partners. SDSU did not rush into their collective hug without undertaking months of due diligence via in-house legal counsel, financial projections, cost-benefit analysis and general discussion.

Departure Money: Leaving the Mountain West (hereafter known as MW) will cost the Aztecs approximately $18 million. Remaining with the MW would have resulted in panic and the loss of unknown amounts of millions of dollars into the future. The Beavs and Wazoo will contribute mightily towards the contractual departure of SDSU from the MW. How much? Wait for the number to issue when the dust settles. Legal filings, judges and courts will be involved as the Beavs/Wazoo/Fleeing Four (Aztecs, Fresno, Boise and CSU) negotiate a lesser amount to exit the MW. Will the Aztecs need to finance future PAC revenue in repayment to the Beavs and Wazoo? Yes. Yet not to the detriment of SDSU’s long term future.

The Immediate Future: The Fleeing Four and the PAC-2 make the beginnings of an attractive fourth window for Saturday night football. Will SDSU be tied to 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. kickoffs in perpetuity? Most likely less the occasional Friday night broadcast and noon-ish Saturday start. Don’t complain.

Media (television in one form or another): The MW television contract concludes in 2026. SDSU joining the PAC begins in 2026. Convenient timing, indeed. Streaming will be involved. Lots of streaming. Like a river. Or a stream. MAX, Hulu, CW, YouTube and Apple will join CBS, FOX and ESPN (to a lesser extent) in bidding for the PAC product. Let us not forget nor neglect the force of men’s basketball in the upcoming television contracts. Will the agreed upon number be far greater than what would have been the MW renewal? Yes. As much as the former PAC-12? No. Would you rather continue with less than a handful of millions of dollars or begin a new start with two handfuls of millions of dollars? The PAC will invite additional schools. The upcoming television contract will guide those invitations. Becoming the best non Power 2 (Big 10 and SEC) and the other 2 (Big 12 and ACC) is the selling point. The PAC must offer a more compelling membership than the AAC, MAC and Sun Belt.

Add Ons (#1): I dismiss the idea that Cal and Stanford join the PAC. Both administrations quake in horror of joining mere state schools. What’s next? Eating a burrito with your hands! Bagging your own groceries! Aieeeee!!!! The two would rather participate in a soon to be demolished ACC and continue as discount members. Idiots.

Add Ons (#2): A few AAC schools may be of interest. Most mavens mention Memphis. I disagree. Memphis is waiting for an invite to whatever the ACC resembles in the next two years. Tulane is a more likely fit as is North Texas and/or UT San Antonio.

Add Ons (#3): Another MW school? Or two? Mmm. No. UNLV and Nevada are a legal pair. The Nevada state legislature will not let one go without the other. Air Force? No. They join their military brethren in the AAC.

Men’s basketball’s influence may spur creativity. Gonzaga joining as a basketball only member makes sense and enhances media interest. Hawaii is a MW football only member. Why not a PAC basketball only member? Including the Zags would be welcome and unconventional.

Good luck and fortune to the future PAC.

Oregon State 21, SDSU 0

Posted: September 12, 2024 in Uncategorized
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Hanging a zero is never encouraging. New qb or not. New offense or not. Certainly, 7 penalities in the first half did not assist in creating advantageous distance from our offense to the goal line. Myles Murao received 3 of the 7. He was wrong way busy.

Due to all the holding and false start penalties, Marquez Cooper watched 35 yards disappear from his game total. Danny O’Neil started sluggish (overthrown pass) and never found a pace worthy of a win. AztecFast is a work in progress. Proof? 59 offensive plays for the Aztec offense. Far off the fast mark.

The defense was on the field for 40+ minutes and 78 plays courtesy of the Beavers offense. Exhausted? You bet. During the third quarter the futility induced via too much time on the field resulted in an Aztec pass rush that looked underwhelming and ineffective. Push, shove, stop for breath. Repeat. Please send a sub.

Cal at Berkeley is next. The Bears play Florida State the following weekend. Perhaps Cal’s prep for us might be lacking? Let us hope.

Go Aztecs

1-1/0-0

SDSU 45, TX A&M Commerce 14

Posted: September 2, 2024 in Uncategorized
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Shades of the old days. The Aztec defense allowed a stingy 180 total yards and less than 2 yards per rush by Commerce. 4 sacks was a good start.

Danny O’Neil is 18 years old and he was showing his age during the entire first half. Yuk. However, he was a sage quarterback the second half. His improved performance paved the way for 42 second half points. Of course, two of those scores were courtesy of the SDSU defense. Thank you Tano Letuli and J.D. Coffey, III. Mr. O’Neil finished the game with 22/33/214 and zero interceptions.

Marquez Cooper is the real deal. 223 yards rushing pales to his 8.3 yards per carry. Well done, Mr. Cooper. He is 5′ 8″, 200 pounds of get-out-of-my-way.

Sean Lewis’ AztecFast offense generated points and excitement. Yet, I believe we were granted a quick peek to what will be an eye-popping flurry of offensive activity which will exhaust the opposition. All #2 guys on the Aztec offensive depth chart will have plenty of opportunity as the season progresses because 70+ offensive snaps will require frequent breaks for the starters.

1-0/0-0.

Go Aztecs.

San Diego State Aztecs Football 2024 Preview

Posted: July 31, 2024 in Uncategorized
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A tremendous amount of change on the Mesa in 2024. “Revamped” does not come close to describing the changes. A new head coach. A mostly new assistant coaching staff. New theme: AztecFAST. Transfer portal movement as never before. Oh boy!

Sean Lewis replaces Brady Hoke as head coach. Mr. Lewis promises lots and lots of points via an offense always in motion. Expect a combination of no-huddle, liberal substitution, horizontal movement galore prior to the snap and too many snaps to count or at least many more than last year. I have watched numerous videos of Mr. Lewis since his SDSU arrival. He is a walking espresso coupled with a Monster. “Up” falls short of summing his energy level. Which, come hell or high water, he will transfer to his Aztec football team.

During his final year (2021) at Kent State, Mr. Lewis’ Golden Flashes averaged the following per game: 75 snaps, 493 total yards, 25.8 first downs, 248.7 rushing yards and 244.6 passing yards. If he duplicates those numbers in 2024, Snapdragon fills to the brim.

Offense

The starting quarterback competition seems to be between sophomore transfer AJ Duffy and freshman Danny O’Neil. However, given Mr. O’Neil’s true freshman status, I would not be surprised if the steep learning curve of Mr. Lewis’ offense relegates Mr. O’Neil to a #3 spot on the depth chart. Sophomore Kyle Crum and redshirt freshman Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson may well jump into the #2 spot.

The running backs are a group waiting to produce. Waiting because less newcomers, the old guard of Kenan Christon (especially), Cam Davis, Jaylen Armstead and Lucky Sutton have done little to nothing since becoming Aztecs. However, some of their individual and collective lack of production was due to the less than robust performance of the offensive lines these gentlemen played behind in past years. I look for a rotation of the aforementioned along with transfer Marquez Cooper to have impactful moments resulting in long runs and touchdowns. Only Mr. Sutton and Mr. Davis are non-seniors. The time is right gentlemen. Tomorrows are in short supply.

The wide receivers the last two years were inconsequential partly because qbs of the past were inaccurate or unable to deliver a catchable ball. I anticipate transfers Ja’Shaun Poke and Nate Bennett to lead the receiver group on the path of zigging, zagging, streaking and most importantly catching the ball as the season unfolds. Joining Mr. Poke and Mr. Bennett in long awaited sustained production will be senior Mekhi Shaw, junior Phillippe Wesley and sophomore Baylin Brooks.

The tight ends were thin (no puns, please) until the arrival of transfer Michael Harrison. Jude Wolfe’s long history of injury gives pause for thought. If the injury bug strikes again, sophomores Logan Tanner and Gabe Garretson will receive unanticipated playing time.

Mike Schmidt returns as the offensive line coach. Thank goodness. The lines he recruited and coached during Rocky Long’s tenure were of the true smash-you-down-do-not-get-up variety. All penalties in 2024 will be well deserved, however not too many penalties. The offensive line returns three starters, senior Myles Murao and juniors Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli and Christian Jones. Transfers Joe Borjon and Brayden Bryant likely start. Dean Abdullah, Ryan Silver and Nico Green also receive consideration.

Defense

As for the 2024 Aztec defense, who knows? From 2009 to 2023, SDSU ran Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 (an effective defensive scheme if one ever existed). Now the Aztecs will employ a 4-2-5 of which I have no reference. Video indicates a set more accurately described visually as a 4-4-3, but I know nothing. Alabama, Utah and Mississippi State ran the set last year. Good company. Hopefully, we can enjoy a degree of immediate effectiveness. If mastering the 4-2-5 is slow, prepare for disappointing losses.

The center of the defensive line (“nose dl”) will be a rotating mix (I anticipate the entire defense to resemble a swarm of replacements running to and from the field during each game) of seniors Wyatt Draeger, Tupu Aualu and Teivis Tuiati. Their ability to hold the center and allow the rest of the line to raise hell is key. The psuedo defensive tackle position labeled “3-technique” (sounds like a French dance class) will be anchored by Darrion Dalton and Keion Mitchell. Field edge is a contest between transfer Marlem Loius and sophomore Ryan Henderson while their rush edge partner will be deeper with Dominic Oliver (jr) and sophomores Trey White and Ezekiel Larry.

The two linebacker positions are nicknamed “Mike” and “Will”. Both are considered middle linebackers. Mike will feature a rotation of senior Tano Letuli, junior DJ Herman and transfer Kyle Moretti. Transfers Owen Chambliss and returning starter Cody Moon receive the majority of snaps at Will.

Senior Deshawn McCuin and 2023 starter junior Josh Hunter share the duties of the roaming defensive back named “Stud” (too much to say, so I’ll be quiet). A mix of Chris Johnson (jr), Jelani Whitmore (sr), Bryce Phillips (sr) and Bennett Walker (sr) rotate between the two cornerback positions. Eric Butler (jr) and William Nimmo (sr) share the strong safety spot while the trio of Dalesean Staley (jr), Max Garrison (sr) and JD Coffey (sr) do the same at free safety.

Kicking game (both kinds) starting spots are also up for grabs. Gabriel Plascencia seems to have the inside track at the moment to kick field goals. Same goes for Tyler Pastula as punter. The ever reliable Ryan Wintermeyer returns as long snapper.

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Schedule

I will preface my schedule comments with: when Mr. Lewis’ offense clicks, opponents will marvel at the outcome ranging from time of possession distortions to how-did-we-lose?

Texas A&M Commerce: Win. An appropriate first game opponent at Snapdragon.

Oregon State. Our first Snapdragon 2024 loss.

Cal: Upset win given the Bears first year in the ACC. Cal’s next game features Florida State. I say Cal overlooks us.

Central Michigan: Road win number two.

Hawaii: Thankfully, they visit us saving us a lengthy flight. We win as long as the Aztec defense corrals Tommy Chang’s pass happy offense.

Wyoming: Most mavens rate Wyoming in the upper half of the 2024 MW. I do not. The October 12th date makes insane weather unlikely, yet who knows for we speak of Laramie. A close loss.

Washington State: We are easily handled by the Cougars resulting in home loss number one.

Boise State: Loss.

New Mexico: Win.

UNLV: At Las Vegas and a loss.

Utah State: Logan in late November is a tough place to play. Wind? Guaranteed. Snow? Possible. Rain? Add to the tumult just for fun. Yet, we win.

Air Force: Loss.

2024 result will be 6-6/3-4. A bowl invite is unlikely.

2024 Mountain West Football Prediction

Posted: July 19, 2024 in Uncategorized
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Seven new head coaches begin in 2024. Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State, Utah State and Wyoming all feature new guys in charge. Additionally, the transfer portal turnover is more impactful than last year (leaving and arriving). Oregon State and Washington State tour the conference as preferred guests in order to form a coherent schedule. The first four spots in 2024 are seemingly firm. Air Force, Boise State, Fresno State (July head coaching change be damned) and UNLV will jockey throughout the year for the best finish. Let us begin with specifics.

Dead Last: Nevada. Jeff Choate inherits a woeful, bad, though they tried hard, 2-10/2-6 team. Two quarterbacks return. Brendon Lewis, A.J. Bianco and the transfer Chubba Purdy (who doesn’t love somebody named Chubba?) compete for the #1 role. Do not be surprised to witness a shuffle of the three as the season progresses. Their #1 running back from 2023 returns (Sean Dollars 3.5 yards per carry. Not good) and not much else as the Wolf Pack hopes to replace their top six receivers from 2023.

11. San Jose State. The former Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo takes over for the departed Brent Brennan. Mr. Brennan employed a passing dominated offensive scheme which I do not see Mr. Niumatalolo continuing. I anticipate a 2024 chant of “Let’s copy Air Force because that’s what I did at Navy”. Yes, four d-1 quarterback transfers are on campus along with in-a-pinch qb Nick Nash who must be approaching the age of 30 (he’s been wearing a Spartan uniform seemingly for years and years and years). The 2024 challenge lies in the fact very little returns of the 2023 running game. Returning to the aforementioned Nick Nash, he did lead the team in receiving last year (48 catches, 728 yards for a 15.2 yards per catch line). He is joined by the #3 receiver, Malikhi Miller (24/290/12.1) and #5 Matthew Coleman (12/119/9.9) from 2023. To the dismay of Spartan faithful, look for a flip of last year’s average of scoring 31.8 points per game while giving up 25.6 points.

10. Wyoming. Craig Bohl retired and Jay Sawvel took his place. Sadly, Mr. Sawvel was able to attract a total of 3 tranfers. Bless them. Evan Svoboda likely assumes the starting qb spot due to a lack of competition less the Utah transfer Jayden Clemons. Harrison Waylee ( 5.8 yards per carry and 947 yards gained) returns hoping to find a partner with either Sam Scott (4.8/237) or Jamari Ferrell (3.6/188). 2023’s #3 receiver, Michael Gyllenbork (23/360/15.7) will hold the same hope as Mr. Waylee and find a couple of other receivers to help him out.

9. Hawaii. Tommy Chang’s pass happy offense improves slightly. Brayden Schager (332/525 for a completion rate of 63.2% and an impressive 3,542 yards) will a enjoy a buffet via the return of his top six receivers from 2023. Leading the way are Pofele Ashlock (83/832/10.0) and Steven McBride (63/1,024/16.3). As usual, Mr. Chang prefers to rarely run the football. Look for another anemic ground game on the Island. Finally, Mr. Chang unimpressively doubled Wyoming’s in-coming transfer number with 6. Yes, one of the six is a running back. A brave young man.

8. New Mexico. Bronco Mendenhall decided he was bored and needed an extreme challenge, so he returned to coach the long struggling Lobos. Good luck, Bronco. Mr. Mendenhall, understanding the twisting, turning road ahead of him, landed 29 transfers (the most in the MWC). 23 of the 29 are either offensive lineman or on the defensive side of the ball. No sense in fooling yourself. Last year’s average of giving up 35 points per game will lessen which is the good news. However, the offense is void of anything looking like a passing game for 2024. Devon Dampier, last year’s #2 qb, will handoff a great deal during the first few games in 2024 as wide receivers look to establish a pecking order. Andrew Henry will continue to pound away with ball in hand (6.7/350). Transfers Javen Jacobs and Eli Sanders will provide running back buddies for Mr. Henry.

7. San Diego State. Another newbie, Sean Lewis, joins the MW. Mr. Lewis during his head coaching stint at Kent State (2018 – 2022) created interesting offensive chaos to score points. The Aztecs hired Mr. Lewis to duplicate the Kent State years. Mr. Lewis hopes to immediately improve upon last year’s anemic 20.5 points per game. The Florida State transfer, AJ Duffy becomes the starting qb. Jaylon Armstead (4.3/448), Kenan Christon (3.9/378) and Cam Davis (4.3/225) desperately need help from incoming transfers as does the returning receiving corps of Meki Shaw (28/375/13.4) and Baylin Brooks (15/261/17.4).

6. Utah State. Blake Anderson was shown the door long after spring practice concluded. Nate Dreiling the defensive coordinator assumes the head coaching role by default (searching for a d-1 head football coach during the summer is insane). Four qb transfers will be in the mix for the starting spot. Either CJ Tiller (Boise State) or Bryson Barnes (Utah) wins the starting job. The good news for the people of Logan is enough returning production creates a sense of hope or lack of complete despair. Rashul Faison (6.2/736) and Robert Briggs (5.3/420) lead the rushing efforts while Jaylen Royals (71/1,080/15.2), Micah Davis (36/628/17.4) and Colby Bowman (11/247/22.5) hope to continue to stretch the field.

5. Colorado State. Be warned, if Jay Norvell stumbles, adios. Yes, repeating last year’s 5-7/3-5 qualifies as stumbling. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi needs to significantly reduce his 16 interceptions from 2023. Otherwise, his line of 292/470/62.1% for 3,460 impresses. The returning running game is depressing, but the returning receivers led by Tory Horton (96/1,136/11.8) offer Mr. Fowler-Nicolosi another year of stellar production.

2 (T). UNLV. Barry Odom surprised often during 2023 and finished with a 9-5/6-3 mark. He faces a significant challenge in replacing both his #1 and #2 quarterbacks. Cameron Friel offers prior experience, though he did not play in 2023. The running game needs to be replaced almost entirely. Wondering why I chose these guys to tie for second? 20 transfers well sprinkled on both sides of the ball leads to probable impact to maintain or come close to last year’s success. Ricky White, III (88/1,483/16.9) leads enough returning receivers to keep last year’s 34.4 points per game within reach.

2 (T). Fresno State. Losing head coach Jeff Tedford to health concerns during the month of July certainly raises concerns for the 2024 Bulldogs, but the return of Mikey Keene and his 67% completion rate lowers any immediate panic. Malik Sherrod (5.6/966) continues another strong rushing effort in 2024. Jalen Moss (55/706/12.8) and Mac Delena (47/509/10.8) will once again enjoy the talents of Mr. Keene. Look for Fresno State to improve upon last year’s impressive 30.5 points per game.

1 (T). Boise State. What else is new. Mark Madsen, last year’s #2 qb, becomes this year’s #1 qb. His line of 81/132 for 1,191 yards at least doubles in 2024. Ashton Jeanty (6.1/1,347) has another imprerssive year. Jambres Dubar (5.4/335) moves in as Mr. Jeanty’s primary backfield partner. The returning receivers are thin, but Boise State has a long history of developing talent. Do not worry, citizens of Boise.

1 (T). Air Force. Troy Calhoun’s 2023 defense allowed a stingy 18.2 points per game. Look for something similar in 2024. Throwing the ball does not significantly impact the Air Force offense (never has). John Busha will join a long line of Air Force qbs who will enjoy running the ball down the throats of opponents defense to wait for the proper moment to complete a 30+ yard pass as a final “ha-ha” moment. Nothing changes in 2024.

Beavers 26, Aztecs 9

Posted: September 19, 2023 in Uncategorized
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Another ugly loss? I say no. The defense was much improved as compared to their UCLA performance (now that was bad). Plenty of chances to fold, but no. Two fourth quarter interceptions (Cedarious Barfield and Noah Tumblin) presented the Aztec offense with opportunity . . . not seized, but who can blame the defense? All game long the Aztec defense allowed the Aztec offense to hang around.

The SDSU offense for consecutive games registered significantly more time with the ball (33:21) than the opponent (26:39). Yet, only 9 points was scored. Candidly, Joshua Nicholson must stop dropping passes. Mr. Nicholson is a drive killer. Brionne Penny finally arrived with a line of 6/77. The Aztec running game was stuffed . . . again (2.1 yards per carry). Offensive coordinator Ryan Lindley used a fullback for the first time this year. May I introduce Leo Kemp. Mr. Kemp is a freshman and looked the part, but eventually caught up with the game flow. The Beavers front seven dominated the SDSU offensive line. Our front five resembled the offspring of Swiss cheese and a colander. Most of the Beavers ran into and through the Aztec backfield. Jalen Mayden was sacked 4 (!) times in the first half and twice more in the second half. Boo. Offensive line coach Mike Goff is now suspect in coaching ability and result. Mr. Goff may be this year’s Jeff Hecklinski.

Jack Browning’s atypical day of 1/3 did not lend confidence. Missing from 48 and 49 yards (he made a 52 yard attempt) is simply not Jack Browning approved.

On one hand, still a lot to fix. On the other, at least the defense held fast less a few big plays.

Go Aztecs.

2-2

UCLA 35, SDSU 10

Posted: September 12, 2023 in Uncategorized
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The Aztecs encouraged, endured and accepted an old fashioned butt kicking courtesy of the Bruins. Both the offensive and defensive lines of UCLA were simply too much for their SDSU counterparts. No pass rush was generated by the Aztec defense. Our offensive line was pushed around by the Bruins defensive line and linebackers the entire game. Proof? 1.9 yards per rush and less than 10 yards per completion. Painful.

Giving up three touchdowns in the second quarter sealed the Aztecs’ fate. When we had the ball, a missed touchdown pass off the fingers of Josh Nicholson and a bungled touchdown reception by Martin Blake resulted in lost momentum and more importantly zero points. Boo.

Strangely, SDSU was 10 seconds shy of 10 minutes of plus possession over the Bruins. Yet, to no effect. Jack Browning punting the ball 7 times is a sore reality of ineffective offense.

At Corvallis to play Oregon State this Saturday will be a challenge. A UCLA copy means a wince of a game. Playing to potential means the Aztecs stay close and make key plays to offer hope as the MWC schedule unfolds.

Go Aztecs.

2-1

SDSU 36, Idaho State 28

Posted: September 4, 2023 in Uncategorized
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Beginning the season 2-0 is certainly welcome. However (always however with me), the outcome was never sure until the clock expired. Allowing the Bengals to hang around for four quarters is indicative of a unfocused defense suffering from bright lights-shiny objects syndrome. Which will eventually result in disappointing loss.

The highlights, you ask? Limiting Idaho State to 4.4 yards per play and 2.3 yards per rush while the two Bengal qbs lit up the night sky with 63 pass attempts.

Jalen Mayden had a spectacular night running the football averaging 16.5 yards per carry. Of course, throwing for a mere 87 passing yards is the stuff of bad juco football. 13/19 is statistically impressive, but the 13 yards shy of the century mark glares like the morning sun after too much fun the night before. By the way, Tobin O’Dell was summoned to heave the ball downfield on the final play of the second quarter. A jump ball resulted in the lone Idaho State interception.

The Aztec running game (302 yards) was a pleasant blast from the past. In addition to Mr. Mayden’s production, Jaylon Armstead (5.8 yards per carry), Kenan Christon (5.7) and Martin Blake (4.8) piled on the yards as the evening progressed. Scoring 4 tds via the ground is always welcome and hopefully continuous as the season progresses.

What is not sustainable is SDSU’s 11 penalties for 85 yards at the end of the first half (14 flags for the entire game). Boo. Also of concern was the fact Idaho State scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to keep the game in doubt. Such refusal to defensively put the game out of reach may well cost the Aztecs during the next to weeks (UCLA and @ Oregon State). Beware.

2-0.

Go Aztecs.

SDSU 20, Ohio 13

Posted: August 27, 2023 in Uncategorized
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The game was all kinds of ugly. Ugly offense in the first half. Ugly o-line and ugly d-line. Ugly.

Yet, we won 20-13. Acceptable ugly.

The first Aztec possession featured a stalled drive resulting in a 49 yard field goal by Jack Browning which was the offensive highlight of the first half. Oh, boy.

Thankfully the Aztec defense employed the axiom of “bend, but do not break” as one Ohio drive after another failed to put the ball in the end zone. Three interceptions (Cedarious Barfield, Trey White and New Zealand Williams each enjoyed a pick) effectively shut any scoring opportunity for the Bobcats. The Aztec defense courtesy of a blitz by Zyrus Fiaseu knocked the Ohio starting quarterback out of the game. His replacement opened with a fly ball interception, thus summing the Bobcats’ passing effectiveness. Ohio’s 52 passing attempts did result in one touchdown late in the game. The moment caused me great anxiety, but I recovered.

Jalen Mayden (17/27/164) had a better second half than first. Of course, when the offensive line decides to block, quarterbacks tend to be productive. Mark Redman caught two td passes, thus heralding the return of the tight end to SDSU’s offense. In the second half offensive coordinator Ryan Lindley employed two tight ends behind the o-line to open up the running game to great effect. Three consecutive handoffs to Jaylon Armstead (8/79) quickly moved the ball deep into Ohio’s half of the field which also ignited the Aztec offense in general.

The Aztec offense converting 4/13 on third down attempts must improve and soon.

A lackluster beginning. Yet, I trust Mr. Lindley will provide improved offense with each game.

Go Aztecs.

1-0

The Demise of the PAC12. The Future of the Mountain West

Posted: August 6, 2023 in Uncategorized
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Well, well, well. As I stated August, 2022 (read my SDSU, Big 12 and PAC 12 Implosion piece) when the Bruins and Trojans accepted the invitation to join the Big 10, the PAC 12 was two schools away from complete collapse. The time has arrived. Surprisingly, not initially at my insistence of Oregon and Washington causing the rupture, rather Colorado and Arizona triggered the crumble of the once power 5 conference.

The flight of the Ducks and run of the Huskies to the Big 10 was long anticipated by yours truly. Now the Big 10 has four schools in the treasured fourth window (Pacific time) of college football (sorry, basketball has no influence in any of the August, 2022 forward movement). Two schools to four schools doubles options and flexibility surrounding scheduling on Saturday . . . and Friday (!). Yes, the Big 10 media contract insists on Friday night games. Guess which four newbies will shoulder the dreaded, unnatural Friday night exposure?

The wait-for-me exit of Arizona State and Utah to the Big 12 was their only viable option. The Big 10 wanted nothing to do with either school. Staying with the now four remaining schools was the equivalent of eating under cooked chicken and wondering why your were vomiting for days after. However, Brett Yormark’s long standing desire to provide the Big 12 with a fourth window of linear TV (to those of you wondering, linear TV is normal TV. You know, pre-app and similar broadcast platforms) remains unfulfilled. Will Mr. Yormark shy away from his stated West coast desire or is another addition or two possible?

Concerning the remains of the once vaunted PAC 12, I present to you the chalk outline of Stanford, Cal, Washington State and Oregon State. Bow your head. Pray. You recovered? Here we go.

Stanford has enough money (the root and cause of all realignment movement) to hit the Notre Dame independent road. Cal does not. Both schools are woefully short on football centered alumni (they don’t care. Shhh). The idea floated by certain commentators and wishful thinkers that the Big 10 is interested in either school is, dare I say, poppycock. Yes, harsh language for harsh idiotic ideas. Both schools feature a yawn of recent achievement in the land of football. Cal is sub .500 the last ten years while Stanford is sub .500 three of the last four years. Both results are dismal in the eyes of Midwest decision makers. Cal has no other option other than to join the Mountain West, no matter how distasteful the idea. God forbid, joining a conference with six schools featuring the word “State” in their title. The horror. If Stanford dips their toe in the water of independence, I predict a BYU experience at best. Stanford has zero national appeal and marginal regional appeal (I’m generous. Candidly, they have no appeal outside the Bay area). Joining the Mountain West provides stability as opposed to the who-knows-what-will-happen journey of life without conference affiliation.

Washington State and Oregon State generate no interest with any of the remaining Power Four conferences. Pullman (population 33,000 ) and Corvallis (population 60,000) are small towns surrounded by smaller towns in the middle of nowhere. Traveling to and from is a pain. Both schools are perfectly suited for the Mountain West. The Cougars and Beavers offer a football upgrade for the Mountain West which is most welcome. Basketball, not so much.

Finally, the remaining PAC 12 schools are staring geography in the face. Distance matters. As does a lack of outside interest, athletic departments with budget deficits and nowhere else to go. Welcome to the Mountain West!

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