Washington State vs. SDSU: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Keys, Prediction
The Aztecs have a lot to gain with a hometown upset over future PAC-12 conference mates- the Washington State Cougars.
The last time SDSU opened a football season with a 1-3 record in 2015, they went on to win the next ten games.
WEEK 8: WSU Cougars (6-1, 0-0 PAC) vs. SDSU Aztecs (3-3, 2-0 MW)
WHEN: Saturday, October 26th, 2024— 7:30 PM PST / 10:30 PM EST
WHERE: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California (35,000)
TV: CBSSN
STREAMING: CBS Sports Network Stream
RADIO: San Diego Sports 760
SERIES RECORD: Aztecs are 1-1 all time against the Cougars.
LAST MATCHUP: Sept. 17, 2011. SDSU won 42-24 at home.
WEBSITES: GoAztecs.com, the official San Diego State athletics website; WSUCougars.com the official Washington State athletics website.
ODDS: Washington State -14
OVER/UNDER: 56.5
San Diego, CA- On Saturday evening, October 26th, coach Jake Dickert and the Washington State Cougars (6-1) visit Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley to take on coach Sean Lewis and the well-rested SDSU Aztecs (3-3). The Aztecs, coming off a second bye week are projected to lose by two touchdowns, however Coach Dickert knows that SDSU is a wild card with a projected 19% opportunity to wage victory.
The new-look Aztecs opened their season with a disappointing 1-3 record before winning back-to-back conference games against Hawai’i and Wyoming. The last time SDSU opened a football season with a 1-3 record in 2015, they went on to win the next ten games. The wins included a 27-24 victory over Air Force in the Mountain West Championship game followed by a 42-7 win over Cincinnati in the Hawai’i Bowl.
For this meeting, SDSU and the Cougars face one another for the first time in thirteen years, since the Aztecs won 42-24 at Qualcomm Stadium on Sept. 17, 2011. WSU won their first ever meeting on Sept. 8, 2007, 45-17 at Qwest Field in Seattle. Going forward, play between these teams will be annualized, and in 2026 SDSU officially becomes PAC-12 conference mates with Wazzu.
Keys to a San Diego State Victory
1. Defensive picKs
The Cougars haven’t activated their running game the way Coach Dickert expected. Against Hawaii last week, talented true freshman tailback Wayshawn Parker had just 25 yards on nine plays after having at least one rush of 20+ yards in every other game this season.
The run game is a work in progress, so the Cougars rely heavily on quarterback John Mateer who has thrown six interceptions this season.
For an aggressive defense like the Aztecs with a formidable secondary, this means 1-2 interceptions are more than possible. If any are converted to pick-sixes, these defensive touchdowns would strip away the big advantage Wazzu is expected to have. Currently, the Aztecs are 6-0 when defense scores a touchdown. If this happens- Wazzu should worry.
2. take mateer down
Mateer has solid stats. He has thrown for 1,896 yards with 16 touchdowns and, again, six interceptions. He’s been sacked 20 times, suggesting he holds out for the right play- even when it doesn’t materialize.
Heavy Aztec pressure on Mateer will keep him off balance, provoking rushed plays leading to lost yards at critical moments and off-center passes that could be more effectively intercepted. If the heat is on, and he is deterred from finding a rhythm, it will have a huge impact on this game.
Mateer’s vulnerability to sack attacks complements Aztec EDGE Trey White’s NCAA leading ability to take down signal callers.
White is having a killer season. With 11 sacks through six games, including 10.5 over the last four, he averages 1.83 sacks per game. If he can uphold this rate for the season, it would be a NCAA FBS record.
3. AIR ASSAULT
4. LIMIT THE PENALTIES
The Aztecs won’t defeat strong opponents if they don’t play with discipline.
What Will Happen