This Friday in Qualcomm stadium, a team who made the list of the top 25 worst teams in the country will be pitted against a team who was ranked 19th in the country just a few weeks ago.
Less than a week after the Spartans won their first conference game of the season, San Jose State (2-5) will face its toughest road game yet, at San Diego State (5-1). The team will travel to
Southern California with a day less rest because of the unusual Friday game.
“They are a team that is really hot right now,” head coach Ron Caragher said. “They are leading the conference in the statistic that I believe matters the most, turnovers.”
To put this game into full perspective, the Aztecs are currently favored to win by at least 23 points, according to ESPN.
“They have a really good running attack,” Caragher said. “We know that we are going to have to be really gap sound and we will be challenged.”
The last time the Spartans beat the Aztecs was in San Diego on Sep. 22, 2012, winning 38-34 during SJSU’s most successful season in the last decade when the team finished 11-2.
The main concern for the Spartans will be the Aztecs backfield.
“They have a power-run game,” Caragher said. “And sprinkle in one of, if not the best, running backs in the country in (Donnel) Pumphrey.”
Running back Donnel Pumphrey is one of the nation’s top running backs this season, averaging 185.2 rush yards per game and 1,111 rushing yards this season.
“He is an excellent running back,” Caragher said. “Good runners will stay consistent throughout a football game and he does exactly that. You can have him caged in as a defensive front, cage him in and he can use his speed and shiftiness to get away.”
Pumphrey passed Herschel Walker and LaDainian Tomlinson to reach eighth place on the all time rushing yards list in Division I football history after his 220 yard-rushing performance against Fresno State last week.
Adding this to the fact that SJSU gives up the 16th most yards per game on the ground and viewers are left with what is expected to be a lopsided matchup.
In order for the Spartans to come up with the upset, the defense will have to play lights-out, tackling at the point of attack, and, most importantly, find a way to contain Pumphrey.
Last weekend was the first time this season the Spartans did a good job stopping the run. Friday will be the biggest test on the ground that defensive coordinator Ron English will have to face in his first year at SJSU.
On the offensive side of the ball, SJSU will need quarterback to run the ball effectively through play action and designed quarterback runs. He must take care of the football. San Diego State will take full advantage of any mistakes made by opponents, making it imperative for Potter and running back Malik Roberson to make good decisions.
While the Aztecs average over five points more per game, the yards per game for both teams is very similar. The biggest difference is the success in the red-zone. The Spartans will have to be in peak form, scoring touchdowns over field goals, when they get into the red-zone.
The objective remains the same if the Spartans want to make the postseason, the team must win at least four of its final five games to finish at .500.
What gives SJSU a chance in this game is its defense. Coming off a week when they played lights out against Nevada. The Spartans defense gave up a season low 257 yards of total offense, including only 113 yards rushing. If they can carry that momentum into San Diego, an upset will be possible.
If Potter can keep the Aztecs defense on its heels like he did against the Wolfpack, SJSU will be able to produce enough offense to win.
The game kicks off at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
No comments:
Post a Comment