The Aztecs must face No. 15 Boise State – San Diego Union-Tribune stay away

San Diego State will be motivated to remain undefeated in Mountain West play, get back to .500 this season and beat one of its biggest conference rivals on Friday night in No. 15 Boise State.

There’s even more at stake for the Broncos. The first CFP rankings of the year will be released Tuesday, and Boise State will bid for entry into the expanded 12-team playoffs.

Automatic bids will be made to the top five conference champions, likely those from the Power Four conferences and the highest-rated Group of Five champion, along with seven at-large spots.

Boise State (6-1, 3-0 MW) is on track to become an automatic representative from the Group of Five if it continues its winning streak.

A three-point loss to current No. 1 Oregon is the only blemish on the Broncos' record. Boise State remained undefeated in the Mountain West with last week's 29-24 win at UNLV.

SDSU (3-4, 2-0) returns to conference play after last week's 29-26 home loss to Washington State.

The Aztecs are 2-2 on Boise State's blue field despite being 23 1/2 point underdogs heading into the game at Albertsons Stadium. Kickoff is 5:00 p.m. PT (Fox Sports 1).

Here are five things to keep in mind:

1. Time of possession

The Aztecs rank 123rd nationally in time of possession (26:44) out of 134 FBS schools.

They haven't managed a time of possession in any of their seven games this season.

If ever they needed to dominate time of possession against an opponent, it was Boise State.

The Broncos haven't exactly played keep-away themselves and are 52nd in this category (30:46). But they were very productive when it came to possession, ranking third in the nation with 44.3 points per game.

Boise State was particularly productive in the red zone. The Broncos scored on 94.9 percent of their chances when they reached the 20-yard line. Only nine other teams in the country were better.

SDSU's defense has limited opponents to 23.6 points per game. A similar attempt would give the Aztecs a chance against Boise State. SDSU's offense extending some drives and burning up time, a challenge given the team's up-tempo style, would benefit a defense that has grown tired late in games. The Aztecs allowed 56 points in the fourth quarter, more than in any other period of the game.

2. Slow down Ashton Jeanty

Boise State junior running back Ashton Jeanty rushed for a career-high 205 yards and two touchdowns in last year's meet at Snapdragon Stadium.

It was the first 200-yard game of Jeanty's career. Since then he has had four. He is averaging 196.6 yards per game this season.

“He's a physical runner with home run speed,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said, adding that it's important to “wear multiple hats on the ball and really attack his skillset.”

“If it's just one or sometimes two and sometimes even three, for example when you better have four or five people there because he's going to make you earn it – he doesn't go down that easily.”

Jeanty may not be at full strength. He suffered a left arm injury in the second quarter of last week's game at UNLV, but returned to the game after a brief absence for treatment.

3. SDSU-O Leadership Concerns

SDSU's offensive line has been shuffled more thoroughly than a deck of cards.

All five starting positions have been affected by injuries, including season-ending injuries to both left tackle and left guard.

Another change is expected against the Broncos. Starting right guard Tyler McMahon and starting right tackle Nate Williams are both dealing with left ankle injuries suffered against Washington State.

McMahon and Williams were both practice observers earlier in the week. Lewis said her presence was a decision during the game.

If they are unable to participate, redshirt freshman Briley Barron would play right guard and junior Saipale Fuimaono would play right tackle. Both players would make their first collegiate starts against the Broncos.

4. Go after the QBs

Boise State will have to do something to slow SDSU forward Trey White, who leads the nation with 11 1/2 sacks.

The Broncos did an excellent job protecting quarterback Maddux Madsen (120 for 193, 1,482 yards, 13 TDs/2 INTs), who was sacked just six times all season.

“We have to have a lot of answers for Trey White,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said. “I mean, when you lead the nation in sacks, we're crazy not to have answers and switches for him. I mean, we have to do it, and that’s why we’re going to be ready for him.”

If White diverts attention, it could create opportunities for linemates Tupu Alualu, Marlem Louis or Ryan Henderson, who have combined for nine sacks.

Boise State has also targeted the quarterback, leading the nation with 35 sacks this season. Defensive end Ahmed Hassanein leads the Broncos with seven sacks. Sophomore edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Mt. Carmel High School) is second with 6 1/2 sacks among 38 tackles.

5. Do sales tell the story?

Both teams were very good at “appreciating football,” as Lewis calls it.

SDSU has thrown four interceptions and lost a fumble, its five turnovers rank sixth nationally. Boise State went one better on the Aztecs, throwing three interceptions with a lost fumble, its four turnovers rank second in the nation.

SDSU's defense was more productive in generating turnovers, with ten takeaways (six interceptions, four fumble recoveries) compared to six (two interceptions, four fumble recoveries) for the Broncos.

Originally published: October 31, 2024 at 4:59 pm PDT