San Diego State Aztecs Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds
As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.
2010 Record: 9-4 MWC Record: 5-3 (T-3rd) 2011 Returning Starters: 14: 7 offense, 5 defense, kicker, punter
Coach: Rocky Long, First Season
Offensive Coordinators: Andy Ludwig Defensive Coordinators: Rocky Long
2011 San Diego State Players to Watch: QB Ryan Lindley, WR Vincent Brown, WR DeMarco Sampson, C Trask Losefa, CB Jose Perez, P Brian Stahovich
2011 San Diego State Strengths:
The offense features a fourth-year starting quarterback considered an NFL prospect, and Hillman rushed for 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. Lindley has Hillman and talented tight ends to rely on in the passing game until his young wide receivers mature.
2011 San Diego State Weaknesses:
The Aztecs are young at wide receiver and defensive line, although they feel they’ve recruited well at those positions and have redshirt freshmen in position to contribute. Youngsters could also end up having to contribute in an inexperienced secondary.
2011 San Diego State Offense:
Quarterback Ryan Lindley is on pace to end his career as San Diego State’s all-time leading passer. Lindley made big strides last season, throwing for 3,830 yards and a career-high 28 touchdowns. His completion percentage was up to 57.7, and he was sacked only nine times, down from 15 the previous season. Lindley will be working under his third different offensive coordinator, with Andy Ludwig now in charge of the Aztecs’ attack. Quarterbacks coach Brian Sipe, a former SDSU great, was retained by new coach Rocky Long. Running back Ronnie Hillman gives the Aztecs their top rushing threat since Marshall Faulk in the early 1990s. Hillman was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Year after rushing for 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns. His offseason goal was to add some muscle so he could continue to carry the ball 20 times per game without getting worn down. Tight end Gavin Escobar also starred as a freshman, catching 29 passes for 323 yards, but there are issues at wide receiver with the loss of two 1,000-yard receivers Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson. Dominique Sandifer (23 catches in 2010) was the most experienced returner, but suffered a knee injury and is out for 2011. The Aztecs will have to rely on sophomore Dylan Denso and freshman Ezell Ruffin to emerge as Lindley’s go-to targets. Right guard Nik Embernate heads an offensive line that returns four starters, though Alec Johnson will slide over from left guard to center.
2011 San Diego State Defense:
The Aztecs were much improved on defense last season, allowing only 353.8 yards (down from 382.0 in ’09) and 22.1 points (down from 30.5) per game. Expectations are high this fall, with two of the premier defensive players in the league back for another season linebacker Miles Burris and cornerback Leon McFadden. Burris, a third-year starter on the outside, is a tremendous freelancer who spends a lot of time in opposing backfields. He led the Mountain West in both sacks (9.5) and tackles for a loss (20). McFadden is a shutdown corner who picked off two passes en route to first-team All-MWC honors. He is capable of intercepting five or six passes if teams don’t shy away from his side of the field. San Diego State is hoping hard-hitting Eric Pinkins will man the Aztec safety position in the 3-3-5 alignment. Pinkins missed last season due to a suspension for violating team rules. Logan Ketchum joins Burris as a returning starter at linebacker. Nose tackle Jerome Long, the team’s top defensive lineman, had six tackles for a loss last season.
2011 San Diego State Special Teams:
SDSU has one of the nation’s top punters in Brian Stahovich, a first-team All-MWC pick as a junior last season. Stahovich ranked eighth in the nation at 45-4 yards a punt with 16 fair catches and 18 punts inside the 20-yard line. Last year, the Aztecs addressed their placekicking deficiency with Abel Perez, a local junior college transfer. He hit 17 of 22 field goal attempts with a long of 53 yards and had 28 touchbacks on kickoffs.
| 2011 San Diego State Football Schedule | San Diego State Football Sportsbooks |
2011 San Diego State Predictions:
Long seeks to continue the momentum after a 9–4 season that concluded with the program’s first bowl victory since 1969. Long, who spent 11 years as the coach at New Mexico before joining the SDSU staff in 2009, replaces Brady Hoke, who wasted no time cashing in on the surprise success by lobbying for and getting the Michigan job. Top-notch offensive coordinator Al Borges departed with Hoke, but the defensive philosophy remains the same with Long still on board. The Aztecs have some star power on offense with Lindley and Hillman and should be solid on defense once again. Winning the MWC title will be tough Boise State and TCU are the teams to beat but SDSU should be back in a bowl game for the second straight season.
2011 San Diego State Betting Odds:
San Diego State Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000
Will San Diego State go to a Bowl Game this season or will their season be lackluster? Either way, you can still enjoy San Diego State Football Betting at our feature sportsbooks. College Football Betting is serious business; where you can make a ton of loot placing informed, smart Utah bets. Check out these highly reliable, trustworthy, online sportsbooks.
NCAA Football Handicapping Picks
Check out our weekly Sports Handicapping Picks from the world’s best handicappers. Trust our handicapping experts offering premium and free NCAA Football Picks and packages daily. Also stay up to date with weekly College Football Matchups, and buy some picks to win some BIG cash this football season at our recommended sportsbooks.
Bet on San Diego State
If you are looking for the best Online Sportsbook to bet on the San Diego State this season, then BetOnline.com with their Better Bonus Guarantee, is the place for you. BetOnline.com has NCAA Football Betting Lines and Odds, along with a tons of futures on the 2011 Season, so get your college football bets in early while the lines are hot!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.