By Aztec_Republic
Contributing Writer
The Aztecs and Dukes meet for the first time in history. It was a last minute scheduling agreement and really is a terrific matchup. JMU hasn’t played football all that long in their school’s history and already they’ve not only been able to win several FCS Championships, but made the College Football Playoffs last season.
SDSU has had big hopes & dreams for doing the same this season, but a loss Saturday at home to a Sun Belt Conference opponent not only derails their plans, but puts the PAC-12 in a tepid situation as a whole.
We take a look at what each side needs to do in order to escape with a victory. What do you think, did we nail it?
San Diego State Will Win If They Do This …
1. Make the Run Game the Foundation
This is the obvious one for SDSU. Through two games, the Aztecs are averaging 190.5 rushing yards per game, compared with only 101 passing yards per game.
Lucky Sutton already has 139 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and JMU has allowed just 88.5 rushing yards per game. That makes the matchup in the trenches extremely important.
2. Turn JMU’s Explosiveness Into Long Drives
JMU has been incredibly explosive through two games, averaging 439.5 yards and 53.5 points per game. Against Wagner, the Dukes scored 12 touchdowns, including three punt-return touchdowns, while also rushing for six scores.
The good news for SDSU is that its defense showed against UCLA that it can make life difficult for an offense. The Aztecs held UCLA scoreless through the first half before the Bruins eventually pulled away.
3. Take Advantage of Being Back at Snapdragon
This might be the most important for SDSU. The Aztecs return home after a rough road game against UCLA. But dating back to last season, they’ve won seven straight games at Snapdragon Stadium.
JMU, meanwhile, is making the longest regular-season road trip in program history and is playing in California for the first time. If the SDSU fans, students, and alumni can tap into the red uniform Jaguar Era fun, their home field advantage could play a big role—just as it did last season vs CAL. And we all know how that game ended for our guests that night.
James Madison University Will Win If They Do This …
1. JMU’s Special Teams Flip the Game
This has to be priority No. 1. Against Wagner, JMU returned three punts for touchdowns, tying an NCAA single-game record. Michael Scott alone had two punt-return TDs, plus a 92-yard kickoff return.
SDSU had a similarly impressive special teams performance week-1 against Portland State. Maybe this is just a reflection of playing against an inferior opponent, but the Duke’s are a different level. This cannot be allowed to happen.
2. JMU Establishes the Run
The Dukes have been extremely effective on the ground through two games, averaging 231.5 rushing yards per game and 7.0 yards per carry. They scored six rushing touchdowns against Wagner, with Nick Herman alone rushing for 133 yards on just nine carries.
If JMU can create some effectiveness against the Aztecs, this opens up a whole can of worms.
3. JMU’s Defense Creates Obvious Passing Situations
This might be the biggest concern on the other side of the ball. SDSU’s passing game struggled badly against UCLA. Jayden Denegal finished 6-of-17 for just 45 yards with a touchdown and a bad interception.
Through two games, the Aztecs are averaging just 101 passing yards per game. JMU’s defense, meanwhile, has allowed only 13 points per game, including just 13 to Liberty in the opener.
If the Dukes can create deep down and distances for the Aztecs offense, will Sean Lewis & Denegal be able to pull themselves out of some holes? That’s the plan.
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