Aztecs travel to Wyoming to play full game before offseason – San Diego Union-Tribune

San Diego State has gone nearly a decade between visits to Laramie, Wyo., and the circumstances for Saturday's game are as different as the temperatures in the previous meeting between Wyoming and SDSU.

The teams were playing for the 2016 Mountain West championship. It was 18 degrees at kickoff, but the Aztecs were able to adjust to the situation en route to winning their last conference championship.

Saturday's game between SDSU (2-3, 1-0 MW) and Wyoming (1-4, 1-0) is projected to have a high of 71, with two teams expected to finish well in the Mountain West title game.

The winner of this competition will share the chairmanship of the conference, so there's that.

“They are a dangerous team,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis asserted this week. “They are well trained, physically fit and really healthy. … I’m looking forward to going on the road and getting our first away win of the year against a very good opponent.”

SDSU enters the game at War Memorial Stadium in Wyoming as a 1 1/2-point favorite. Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m. PT for a game that will air on CBS Sports Network.

Here are five things to keep in mind:

1. Stopping Evan Svoboda

Wyoming's offense wasn't good. The Cowboys have averaged 16.4 points per game (123rd in the nation), and that total was boosted by a 31-19 win two weeks ago over Air Force (the Cowboys were out last week).

A lack of playmakers – starting running back Harrison Waylee was previously offside and tight end John Michael Gyllenborg Basically, he missed three games – he needed a quarterback Evan Svoboda (56 for 114, 628 yards, 2 TDs/3 INTs/45 runs, 224 total rushing yards, 4 TDs) to shoulder most of the load.

“He gets their offense going,” Lewis said. “He spins it and makes everything work for them. He’s a good decision maker and makes things (the offense) work properly.”

The 1.90 meter tall and 110 kilogram heavy Svoboda is a burden that has to be brought down. He has been more effective running than passing this season, so keeping him in check will be a top priority.

That's what North Texas did on Sept. 21 in a 44-17 win over Wyoming. Svoboda was limited to 29 total yards on nine carries while completing 11 of 23 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown.

2. Rush to judgment

The running game could be the decider of this game, and SDSU has a decisive advantage over a Wyoming team that is allowing two more yards per carry than average (4.8 yards to 2.8 yards).

However, neither team was particularly effective in rushing Marquez Cooper (126 carries, 583 yards, 5 touchdowns) has helped the Aztecs average 130.6 yards per game (98th in the country). Without Waylee, who rushed for 946 yards last season, Wyoming averaged just 100.6 yards (115th) per game.

Both teams rank near the bottom in time of possession — Wyoming (27:35) is 108th and SDSU (25:39) is 126th — among the 134 FBS teams in the country.

In SDSU's case, this can be partially explained by the team's fast-paced offense.

But Lewis wouldn't mind controlling the clock, and running is the most effective way to do that.

3. Cheer up

SDSU Edge Trey Whitewho shares the national lead with nine sacks this season, has been a terror, especially in the last two weeks. He had four tackles for a loss and three sacks against both Central Michigan and Hawaii.

The opponents now have to pay more attention to where No. 47 is positioned. Look for tight ends or running backs to “chip” the Eastlake High School sophomore and try to help his teammates by making brief contact with White to disrupt him.

SDSU defensive coordinator Eric Schmidt expects additional focus on the rim and is willing to make adjustments to ensure White is just as effective.

“We can move him around in different positions, especially at third, to make it harder for them to beat him,” Schmidt said.

It's nothing new. Schmidt came across this while coaching elite edge rushers in Washington over the last two seasons.

“We can definitely do a lot to help him,” said Schmidt. “Ultimately, having him draw that much attention will make us a better defense. …

“If we bring four and you block with six or seven, it makes it a lot easier for our DBs. Now we're out there playing seven against three. It becomes an advantage.”

4. Fourth quarter

SDSU still hasn't managed to play four good quarters in a game this season.

The Aztecs struggled in the first half of their first three games, failing to score a first-half touchdown in any of them. Much of the problem was self-inflicted. The struggles coincided with the nation taking the lead in the penalty shootout.

SDSU scored three first-half touchdowns at Central Michigan two weeks ago and then was shut out in the second half, missing two field goals.

The Aztecs appeared to be on the verge of getting things under control against Hawaii last week – although penalties were again an issue – and built a 17-10 halftime lead with a field goal on the first drive of the second half.

They fell flat after that, except for an 86-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter that turned out to be the game-winning drive.

Playing against a Wyoming team that has struggled on both ends is the best opportunity to play a complete game since the season opener against Texas A&M-Commerce.

5. What a victory means

A win would move the Aztecs to .500 as they reach the halfway point of the season, putting them on target for the six wins needed for bowl eligibility.

At 3-3, SDSU could start the second break of the season with a good chance of three more wins.

The second half schedule includes games against New Mexico, Utah State and Air Force, all of which are 1-4. This also includes three 4-1 teams: Washington State, No. 17 Boise State and UNLV.

If they lose to the Cowboys, SDSU would need to go 4-2 in the second half to qualify for the bowl.

Originally published: October 11, 2024 at 2:05 p.m