Aztecs Ranked No. 20 In USA Today Preseason Poll

Rocky Long has engineered a well-oiled football machine, and the NCAA is no longer turning a blind eye to San Diego State.

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San Diego State is good enough to win ten more games this year and Juwan Washington could three-peat 2,000 rush yards.

Aztecs football is finally garnering the respect it deserves. If you need further evidence, here it is.

USA Today’s preseason top 25 college football poll has San Diego State ranked No. 20. Notably, Boise State is also ranked No 14.

SDSU was not ranked in January, so logic dictates that Rocky Long’s dynamic squad must have turned heads during spring practice. Clearly, they are drawing increasing attention this year, given their 32-7 record and two Mountain West titles over the past three seasons.

According to USA Today’s Paul Myerberg: “The coaches have praised new running back Juwan Washington, but it’s fair to wonder whether the junior can match the impact Donnel Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny had at SDSU.”

While both running backs are a very difficult act to follow, Aztecs fans are well aware that Washington is up for the challenge. Washington managed 759 rushing yards in 2017, and has been known to return a kickoff for touchdown from time to time. He will aim to help the Aztecs make NCAA history as the first school with back-to-back-to-back 2,000-yard rushers.

Washington will have the benefit of a veteran offensive line that returns all five starters. The offensive line is both formidable and huge.

The Aztecs have a lot of momentum going into this coming season. Cool handed quarterback Christian Chapman, now a senior, will be keeping the Aztecs on an even keel. A new, talented group of incoming players will be joining the squad as well- and some are pushing the limits of freshman expectations.

The Aztecs will have defensive challenges, needing to improve their pass rush and replace two starters in the secondary.

SDSU opens the season August 31 at # 12 Stanford. Last season, the Aztecs defeated the Cardinal 20-17 at SDCCU Stadium. Bryce Love returns to Stanford, and he will give the Cardinal a look at a conference Pac-12 title.

SDSU reached No. 18 in the Amway Coaches poll (compiled by USA Today) and No. 19 in the AP poll after last season’s 6-0 start. The Aztecs, who finished the season 10-3, did not finish in the top 25.

The No. 18 spot was the highest ranking for the Aztecs in 40 years, when they reached No. 16 in the AP poll in the final week of the 1977 season.

Rocky Long is making his mark, and the Aztec Nation looks forward to the coming season.

San Diego State Ranked No. 20 In USA Today Preseason Football Poll

Aztecs Ranked No. 20 In USA Today Preseason Poll

San Diego State is good enough to win ten more games this year and Juwan Washington could three-peat 2,000 rush yards.