SDSU Aztecs 2023 Future Odds
San Diego State Looks to Make Run at first Mountain West Title Since 2016
If Defense Comes Together, San Diego State Could be Title Contender
It was quite the offseason for San Diego State as the Aztecs sent a letter to the Mountain West Conference with their intention to leave the conference only to backtrack. That won’t impact the SDSU Aztecs future odds, but there are some rumblings that San Diego State could still be in play to land in the Pac-12 in 2024.
San Diego State received one first-place vote in the preseason Mountain West poll as the Aztecs were picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West.
When looking at the NCAA football standings, San Diego State finished 5-3 in conference play and ended up tied for second in the West Division.
Even with just six additions, San Diego State had the top-rated class of incoming transfers among Mountain West teams according to the 247sports.com database. San Diego State also came away with the third-best class of incoming freshmen in the Mountain West.
When it comes to the NCAA picks, three of San Diego State’s last four games in 2022 finished over the total.
San Diego State was 6-2 when listed as the favorite a season ago and 3-5 against the spread in those games.
Mayden Ready to Air It Out
Jalen Mayden didn’t throw a pass in the first five games of the season. With San Diego State 2-3 and coming off a 22-point loss to Boise State, it was time for Mayden to get his chance. He threw for a season-high 322 yards against Hawaii in his first game. A quick look at the college football stats shows that Mayden threw for 2030 yards with 12 touchdown passes. The 10 interceptions are a concern with seven of those coming in losses to Fresno State, Air Force, and Middle Tennessee State.
Offensive lineman Cade Bennett and tight end Mark Redman (21 catches, 233 yards in 2022) earned preseason first-team All-Mountain West honors. Mekhi Shaw is the top returning pass catcher after finishing with 349 yards on 29 catches. Western Carolina transfer Raphael Williams could have a key role with Louisville tight end Dez Melton among pass catcher for Mayden to connect with so keep that in mind when it comes to the SDSU Aztecs future odds.
Bennett needs some help on the line as San Diego State needs to do a better job of protecting Mayden. Jaylon Armstead and Kenan Christon could be the top back after the departure of Jordan Byrd.
The defense is usually one of the best in the conference as the Aztecs have finished in the top three in the Mountain West in total defense in each of the last 11 seasons.
There are some holes to fill but the addition of New Mexico linebacker Cody Moon, Colorado cornerback Tayvion Beasley and Oregon cornerback Jalil Tucker could make an immediate impact. Linebacker Cooper McDonald, defensive end Garrett Fountain and safety Cedarious Barfield (49 tackles) are among the top returnees.
San Diego State lost second-leading tackler Patrick McMorris to Cal. However, defensive lineman Samuela Tuihalamaka comes in from Oklahoma State as he returns to his native California to give the Aztecs some size in the middle of the line.
The Aztecs have one of the best punters in the country as Jake Browning averaged 46.3 yards per punt a season ago.
National Championship Odds: It’s Not Basketball Season
San Diego State played for the national title during the basketball season. That’s not going to happen with San Diego State and that is clear when looking at the SDSU Aztecs future odds.
The Aztecs are priced at +100000 to win the national title and that is tied with more than 50 other schools for the longest odds to win it all.
Perhaps if San Diego State gets the call from the Pac-12 there will be a chance to play the way into contention for a College Football Playoff field when 12 teams make the playoffs.
Conference Odds: Don’t Count Out the Aztecs
San Diego State reached the 2021 Mountain West title game and last won the conference title in 2016.
The Aztecs have the fourth-best odds to win the Mountain West with Boise State, Air Force, and Fresno State ahead of San Diego State.
It shouldn’t take long to see where San Diego State is with the first two conference games against Boise State and Air Force. The hope is that the regular-season finale against Fresno State will have title game implications.
Regular Season Wins: Another Winning Season in Sight
The Aztecs haven’t had a losing season since 2009 and that was Brady Hoke’s first season at the helm. This is the fourth season of Hoke’s second stint and that has been enough time for him to recruit the type of team he wants.
Facing UCLA and Oregon State out of the Pac-12 is part of the non-conference schedule and the season begins against a 10-win Ohio team so there will be some challenges before conference play begins.
Still, the Aztecs have even odds to go over seven wins and -130 odds to finish under that total.
To Make the Playoffs: Time for Some More Bowling
The Aztecs have split their last 12 bowl games and there could be another bowl game in the future. San Diego State needs to take care of business early because having to beat Fresno State to become bowl eligible might be a tough task.
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