Accolades make me nervous. Too much praise this preseason from too many sources. Does that offer balance? I don’t know. All I know is Aztec football history. Sure, the last six years have been incredible, but I suffer the memory of the Luginbill/Tollner/Craft/Long (Chuck, not Rocky) years. Thus, I want to embrace the preseason hype, but all I can do is nod and smile.
Defense (because everybody wants to read about the offense first).
The Line: Two leave, thus two must be replaced. Kyle Kelley wins the battle for the honor of pairing with the returning Alex Barrett at defensive end. Sergio Phillips seems to be the starting nose guard if, a big if, Rocky decides not to pull Sergio and return him to the offensive line (more on the other line later). Noble Hall is a worthy nose guard if Sergio returns to the other side of the ball. Grade B.
Linebackers: Calvin Munson returns for his final year. A superior talent. Randy Ricks and Austin Wyatt-Thayer complete a talented trio with Ronley Lakalaka and Ryan Dunn as the primary back-ups. Grade A.
Back Five: Remember, this is Rocky Long’s defense, not the standard offering. The strength of the defense lies with these five. Four starters return. Malik Smith, Na’im McGee, Kameron Kelly and Damontae Kazee. Billy Vaughn or Derek Babiash will complete the back five. This group will set an Aztec record for most interceptions by a defensive backfield during 2016. A talented second squad is ready with Parker Baldwin, Trey Lomax and Kalan Montgomery (these three would start for other MWC teams). Opposing quarterbacks with little to no experience will not sleep prior to playing SDSU. Chaos, fright, visions of sharp teeth and outright panic will overwhelm many a quarterback (and offensive coordinator) attempting to prepare and execute a game plan against the Aztec defense. Grade A.
Punting (technically, a defensive skill. I promise): Tanner Blain was steady in foot application in 2015. I expect the same foot in 2016. Grade A.
Offense (at last).
Quarterback: Christian Chapman guiding the 2015 team to wins against Nevada, Air Force and Cincinnati is proof of not only talent, but the ability and willingness to follow the script of offensive coordinator Jeff Horton. Christian must improve upon his ability to throw downfield 40+ yards a half-dozen attempts as each game progresses. Stretching the field makes for many a miss on behalf of Aztec running backs. Christian can run as well. Jimmy Walker and Ryan Agnew battle for appearances during wipe outs. Even though Mr. Agnew won the back-up spot post-fall camp, I prefer Mr. Walker given his considerable junior college experience. Nothing personal, Mr. Agnew. Grade B.
Running Backs: Donnel Pumphrey will politely run past Marshall Faulk at the end of the Cal game or no later than the Northern Illinois game. His final total rushing yardage as an Aztec begins with a question mark. Who knows? However, I must admit concern with Donnel’s past brush with high ankle sprains. No, I’m not a doctor, but his past must be acknowledged. Rashaad Penny will receive one rushing opportunity for every two of Donnel’s. He will impress. I would not be surprised to witness Rashaad rush for 1,000 yards this year (shades of Chase Price). Juwan Washington is receiving a lot of under the radar praise as the third back and kick return partner of Rashaad’s. We shall see. Grade A.
Fullback: Nick Bawden (thank God he no longer throws a football) or Dakota Turner, your choice. Candidly, I would rather Mr. Turner return to the defensive side of the ball. I’m going with Nick since he’s played on the offensive side his entire time as an Aztec. May he block well, not fumble and catch the occasional seven to ten yard pass for a first down. Grade C.
Wide Receiver: Sure, Coach Hunkie Cooper’s first year was 2015, but this group underperformed. Yes, they can block downfield, but catching downfield is the goal, thus the position title, wide receiver, not wide blocker. Mikah Holder will get the attention of opposing defensive backfields, thus some combination of Chase Favreau, Curtis Anderson, Eric Judge and Christian Cumberland must offer Christian Chapman open receivers who can catch a football in flight. Grade C.
Tight End: If Daniel Brunskill switches to right tackle, David Wells becomes the starting tight end. David is 6′ 5″ and easy to find. Kahale Warring (6′ 6″) or Darryl Richardson (6′ 5″) will pair with Mr. Wells during double tight end sets. However, if Mr. Brunskill remains a tight end, he and Mr. Wells form a potent one-two combination for Christian Chapman. Grade A with Mr. Brunskill, grade B without him.
Offensive Line: Panic ignited when Joe Salcedo was injured. Joe’s injury, while unfortunate, leads to opportunity for Nick Gerhard or David Servatius (switch to the right, David) to back up Daniel Brunskill . . . who was the reported (Rocky stated he was switching Mr. Brunskill to right tackle) fall camp favorite to start at right tackle! I do not understand the hand wringing and hair pulling! Calm down, my fellow Aztecs. The left side is solid with Nico Siragusa at guard and Kwayde Miller at tackle. Arthur Flores starts at center. Antonio Rosales will partner with either Daniel Brunskill or a well-groomed replacement on the right side via the efforts of Line Coach Mike Schmidt. I admit the second tier guys have little experience, but injury is why we recruit well and practice with intent to start. Grade B.
Kicking Game: John Baron has substantial leg. Now he has the opportunity to show said leg during games. I expect success on a 100% basis after touchdowns and a 75% basis (c’mon, he is a sophomore starting for the first time) from three land (inside the twenty-five, he must be perfect). Grade C (until Mr. Baron proves his talent).
Return Game: Rashaad Penny and Juwan Washington return kickoffs (may there be few). Mikah Holder and Damontae Kazee return punts (may there be many). Coach Bobby Hauck teaches the special team game to perfection. Please continue. Grade A.
Long Snapper (I forget nothing): Ryan Simmons attempts to fill the substantial shoes of Jeff Overbaugh. Good luck. Grade C (see Kicking Game).
The 2016 Schedule.
Game 1, New Hampshire. Hopefully, 45,000 plus butts in the seats (a Vin Scully line), thanks to the KGB fireworks show. Yes, we have a horrible history of non-con first games. I assume nothing other than Aztec starters sitting during the entire fourth quarter.
Game 2, Cal. How I will grow weary of the week long chant of, deep breath, we-haven’t-beat-a-PAC-12-team-since-the-beginning-of-time crap that will dominate all media. Hopefully, we beat the Bears at the Q. This game may actually attract 40,000 fans without the benefit of fireworks. Candidly, our defense wins or loses this game less the ill timed fumble or interception from our offense.
Game 3, Northern Illinois. Our first road game. The Huskies cannot pass which is unfortunate given our Back Five. We will jam the first seven yards more often than not. But, think Air Force and do not lose sight of a wandering Northern Illinois receiver twenty yards downfield.
Game 4, South Alabama (after an open weekend). This game is of concern. The Jaguars beat us in overtime at the Q last year (in my presence. Sin). Our second road game. Thankfully this game is October first with cooler temperatures and a whole lot less dehydration. South Alabama recruits kids who are a step below SEC talent, thus fast and quick is the tempo. Much like Cal, our defense gets the win or the upset loss.
Game 5, UNLV. A tip of the cap to Coach Tony Sanchez. I thought his hire would be a disaster given his ascent from high school football to division one football, but no. He did well in 2015 with little to use. However, we win our first MW home game. The Rebels’ defense is horrible. Look for a minimum of 450+ yards of total offense on behalf of the Aztecs.
Game 6, Fresno State: At Fresno is never easy. The Bulldog faithful arrive in great numbers, inebriated and loud. This year will feature an Aztec pummeling of the Bulldogs. Fresno State fans will flock to the exit during the third quarter.
Game 7, San Jose State: We return to the Q for our first MWC test. The Spartans are improving. A fine coaching staff is turning SJSU into SDSU a-la the Hoke years. They also return the talented quarterback, Kenny Potter. This will be a fourth quarter game. Our advantage is found at the Q.
Game 8, Utah State: Late October in Logan, Utah. Will leaves fall or snow fall? The Aggies defense is a significant step below last year’s squad. We should (dangerous word) dominate Utah State on both sides of the ball.
Game 9, Hawaii: Back at the Q. The year Hawaii is not a road game is a relief given distance and time change. Not that the multi-colored arc in the sky has any chance of beating us. Second and third tier Aztecs get a lot of playing time in this game.
Game 10, Nevada: If we contain the Nevada quarterback Tyler Stewart, we win. If Mr. Stewart has the proverbial hot hand, this game will be a nail biter. However, similar to Utah State, the more time the Wolfpack defense spends on the field, the better.
Game 11, Wyoming: Laramie in November. Blizzard? Torrential rain? 40 mph wind? Wolves? Or a nice day in the 50s? Who knows? Wyoming is an improved team with a stellar coaching staff. Yes, we win, but not by a wide margin.
Game 12, Colorado State: We return home. We win and pick at least two passes from Nick Stevens.
MWC Championship Game, December 3. We represent the West. We probably play Boise. If we win, wow. If we lose, we still go bowling.
Predicted Won-Lost: I will entertain the sometimes mentioned 12-0. Strange things happen, so why not a perfect season? We were perfect three years in the 1960s. More than likely, 10-2. Worst case is 8-4.
tipmypitch 