With a balanced attack with a penchant for big plays, the San Diego State offense easily outshines the Aztecs defense.
But that wasn’t the case Saturday against Colorado State.
The San Diego State defense came up huge in a 24-19 victory over the Rams in front of 34,680 at Qualcomm Stadium.
“We found a way to win. It was ugly offensively, especially in the first half,” Aztecs coach Brady Hoke said after the game. “I thought the defense kept us in the football game and I thought they played their tails off.”
San Diego State committed five turnovers in the first half and gained just 21 yards in the first quarter.
But the Aztecs defense kept the team in the game. San Diego State held Colorado State to just six points in that first half and gave up just 31 rushing yards on 34 rushing attempts all game.
“We were confident the offense was going to pick it up in the second half,” Aztecs linebacker Miles Burris told the Union-Tribune. “Everything that could go wrong for those guys did. I was proud of our defense and the way we picked it up.”
The offense finally got going. Ronnie Hillman ran for 151 yards—which put him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season—and a touchdown, while Brandon Sullivan iced the game with his second touchdown of the day.
The win gave San Diego State it’s fourth consecutive victory, its longest winning streak since 1998.
The Aztecs also reached the seven-win mark for the first time since 1998, which was the last time San Diego State went to a bowl game.
San Diego State getting more national attention
The Aztecs basketball team may not be the only ranked team on Montezuma Mesa by the time the football season is over.
Hoke’s 7-2 team is receiving votes in both the AP and Coaches Poll. Technically, the team is considered the 27th best team in the country.
TCU now No. 1 in my Top 25
Did you see what TCU did to Utah?
The Horned Frogs 47-7 victory over the Utes in Salt Lake City was probably the most complete victory witnessed over a Top 5 team in the country this year.
Yes, both teams in the Mountain West, but when you dominate a Top 5 team on the road, then you deserve a No. 1 ranking.
In the grand scheme of things, TCU has announced its intentions to compete for the BCS national title. And remember, the Horned Frogs were just one second away from reach the title game last year.
Hawaii, South Carolina, Baylor and Florida State drop from my rankings this week. Texas A&M, Northern Illinois, Virginia Tech and Central Florida are new this week.
1) TCU
2) Oregon
3) Boise State
4) Auburn
5) Wisconsin
6) Stanford
7) Ohio State
8) Iowa
9) LSU
10) Nebraska
11) Michigan State
12) Arkansas
13) Utah
14) Oklahoma State
15) Alabama
16) Mississippi State
17) Nevada
18) Arizona
19) Missouri
20) San Diego State
21) Texas A&M
22) Oklahoma
23) Northern Illinois
24) Virginia Tech
25) Central Florida
For more info: Visit our College Football Examiner, Kevin McGuire. for more college football news. Check out the Examiner.com Top 25 poll. Follow me on Twitter.
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