Pre-Snap Read

Likes and Dislikes

Five and Five: San Diego State

By Paul Myerberg   //   Jun 8, 2010

What are five things I like about San Diego State in 2010? What about five things I don’t? This list has all the answers.

Likes

1. Junior quarterback Ryan Lindley. Perhaps his sophomore season represented a slight step back, even if Lindley improved statistically. As a junior, he’ll be good enough to put the San Diego State offense on his back, much as he did last fall.

2. The receiving tandem of Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson. Likely the best such duo in the Mountain West. If he can stay healthy, Brown is a lock for a 1,000-yard season; he was on pace for nearly 1,400 yards in 2009 before missing the final five games of the year due to injury.

3. The secondary is the strength of the defense. By default, you might ask? Don’t ask. Keep an eye on converted linebacker Andrew Preston, who will play a hybrid spot in defensive coordinator Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 scheme. Some guy by the name of Brian Urlacher was a pretty good collegian at that spot.

4. The potential for a solid start. San Diego State faces Nicholls State, New Mexico State and Utah State before the start of October. The Aztecs also land a winnable stretch from Oct. 23 through Nov. 6: New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado State.

5. Stay calm, breathe deep, relax. The three-year blueprint is in motion: year two likely won’t see the Aztecs land six wins, but progress is being made.

Dislikes

1. Last season’s paltry ground game. For the third straight year, S.D.S.U. finished in the bottom 15 nationally in rushing yards per game. The hope is that a back like Ronnie Hillman, who brings a degree of big-play ability to the offense, will take some pressure off San Diego State’s strong passing game.

2. Tying into the above note: a weak offensive line. An inconsistent line. You can only blame the running backs for so much, after all.

3. A questionable pass rush. The do have a four-man rotation at end, however, with JUCO transfer Perry Jackson — if recovered from a knee injury — expected to make an immediate impact.

4. Plan for another year of growing pains on both sides of the ball. The running game won’t turn stout overnight, for starters. And while Brady Hoke and his staff are beginning to stockpile the pieces to fit this unorthodox defense, the roster lacks depth.

5. You can’t sugarcoat this fact: S.D.S.U. is not ready to challenge the top teams in the Mountain West. Maybe next year.

Tags: San Diego State

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