Flash-Aztecs to finish Sixth! Why the “experts” got it wrong.
Last year the Aztecs were battling for basement honors against none other than Wyoming. Today the media “experts” have the Aztecs moving up two spots from eighth to sixth for the 2010 season. Those experts, as they so often do, got this prediction all wrong.
My prediction: The Aztecs will finish with a 8-4 record this year and a 4th place finish in the MWC. Sounds ludicrous! Not really. If you examine the schedule; the returning starters, and the incoming players not present on last year’s team and you begin to see what I see: a good (a very good) team that has been woefully underestimated in terms of talent, size, and capability. Last year the Aztecs were 4-8. But, if you look closely, they were 7 points away from a 6-6 record and their first bowl game; and 17 points from a 7-5 record with a loss to BYU by only 10 points. Moreover, Brady Hoke was in his first full year and the coaching staff was essentially working with a collection of players that were considered less than optimal candidates for their respective positions. That of course, is putting it mildly. Continuing, the Aztecs were woefully undersized in the Offensive line positions; they had a slew of injuries at key positions; lost Vincent Jackson (NCAA leading Receiver) and they had an emerging star by the name of D. Sampson that displayed his true potential late in the season.
Fast forward to today and the make-up of the team takes a 180-degree turn. Firstly, the recruiting over the past year was fantastic. Most notably, the offensive line acquisitions from Junior colleges takes center stage: Juan Bolanos (6-7, 340 lbs) from Grossmont College; Joe Unga (6-6, 305 lbs) from Mt. San Antonio College and Riley Gauld(6-5, 300 lbs) from Allan Hancock College round out the “biggest” acquisitions of the year. Adding this size will surely improve the running game that is complimented with a host of talented running backs that gives the Aztecs both speed and depth at that position. Improvements in the running game will make a potent passing attack that much better. In two years Ryan Lindley has amassed 5707 passing yards with less than stellar running attacks; and, mediocre protection from the O-line. Look for Lindley to flirt with the 4000 passing yard mark in 2010.
Finally, let us take a moment to evaluate the schedule. If one approaches the first four games with the aforementioned Atzec team chemistry, SDSU could invariably end up at 4-0 going into week five: matching its previous season’s overall record of wins. With victories over Colorado State and New Mexico last year, this year should be no different. I forecast SDSU at 7 wins with victories over these two teams and either a victory over Air Force or Wyoming. That leaves us with TCU, UTAH and UNLV as the remaining teams. Well, given the coaching change at UNLV and their lukewarm recruiting season, SDSU should bull-doze UNLV on its way to an 8-4 season. I know what your thinking: a win over Missouri (8-4 last season)! Indeed, yes. That’s my wildcard win and surprise of the year. Given the momentum generated going into that game, the Aztec confidence should be riding high and an upset is afoot. By the way, even if they lose to Missouri, wins over both Air Force (at Home) and Wyoming are not too far fetched.
The 2010 season will have the Aztecs in a bowl for the first time since 1998 while sporting an 8-4 record; Hoke’s football prominence will gain a firm footing; and SDSU football will rise from the abyss for the first time in 12 years. How appropriate given the loss of the father of SDSU football Air-Coryell! What say you?
