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San Diego State Football: Keys to an Aztec Victory against Hawaii
Aztecs have to right the ship here.
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San Diego State Hosts Hawaii
San Diego State (7-4, 4-3 MW) plays Hawaii (7-5, 4-3 MW) in the regular season finale for both teams. Hawaii is staring at a likely Hawaii Bowl appearance and San Diego State awaits their destination in the coming weeks. Our projections currently have San Diego State going to the New Mexico Bowl against Marshall.
The Aztecs are reeling from their two-score loss at Fresno State and ending their chances at the Mountain West Championship. San Diego State didn’t make the plays on defense and couldn’t convert on third down with either Christian Chapman or Ryan Agnew at the helm.
Hawaii comes back to the mainland after a 35-28 affair with UNLV. The Warriors are looking to keep their good times rollings against an overrated San Diego State defense.
San Diego State wants to reverse their 2-game losing streak before entering bowl season, so let’s consider how they come out 8-4.
Decide QB1
San Diego State has never been successful with two starting quarterbacks. Both quarterbacks offer the same skillets, a razor’s edge to Agnew’s mobility, but at this junction, this is Chapman’s team. This is not a must-win game. Chapman needs to start and finish this game. Agnew is the presumed starter for the next season, so let the offense readjust to the winningest quarterback in Aztec history.
Get The Defense Off The Field
San Diego State pressure wasn’t enough against Fresno State last week. Fresno State held the ball for 36:31 and it was clear the San Diego State defense couldn’t stop the Fresno State offense.
The defense has to turn it around and find ways to get to the quarterback, make turnovers, and get off the field. On paper, San Diego State might struggle against the nation’s 13th ranked passing offense. The Hawaii offense has been dormant after going 6-1 to start the season. So this Aztec defense must not let the Hawaii offense get back into a rhythm here.
It’s RB University, Not Run Plays Every Down College
San Diego State has been hailed as Running Back University since entering the Rocky Long era. The turn started with Ronnie Hillman and recently to Rashaad Penny. Yet, the number of running plays called in the second half made absolutely no sense.
Down two scores, and in a two-minute drive situation runs up the gut hinder their chance at a comeback. The coaches have to incorporate more screens to the running backs, rotate in more backs, keep the defense honest. The Aztecs know their strength is in the backfield, but there are other ways than a run up the gut to get the backs involved.
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