San Jose State Football 2014 Preview

Its 1:47 am

   Quiet night,a little chilly but nothing heavy. Indianapolis is about to get rocked with some big T-storms which I am following on Twitter as I start to write this entry. We had a slight snow/rain mix this morning but nothing really worth mentioning.

So I am going to be doing my second preview of San Jose State's upcoming football schedule for next year.
My forecast for a 7-5 (I was hoping for a 8-4 year) was slightly off as the Spartans struggled with a poorly executed defensive plan (which I did forecast correctly) and finished a bad 6-6 and no bowl. That was an injustice in itself as the Spartans finished their first season in the Mountain West at 5-3 and defeated the two teams that did go bowling,Colorado State and Nevada Las Vegas,on the road. But bad losses to a very poor Nevada Reno team and a Navy team the Spartans had handled two years in a row before doomed them as far a bowl game.
  A lot has changed in the off-season. Coach Ron Caragher and his staff have been working hard to get ready for this year. The most positive change relatively speaking is Caragher hired a new defensive head coach. The trouble is I got to watch him up close and personal as former Syracuse HC Greg Robinson was Michigan's defensive HC for two years and his defenses struggled. It sort of scares me as Robinson coached a school that regularly finishes in the Top 15 in terms of players recruited. He had a lot of great players at the U of Michigan but they struggled mightily during his two years here.
  Robinson resurfaced on the college football radar last year when he stepped in at Texas to help Mack Brown after the Longhorns were trampled by BYU's ground game. Brown was forced out at UT and Robinson wasn't retained by the new coaching staff.
   So now he comes to SJSU....and he has a still potent defense in place,it just needs to be given the right scheme to play in. And it better happen quickly,while Coach Caragher recruited the 4th best class in the Mountain West,the Spartans are again going to be playing a very rugged schedule in 2014.
 With record setting QB David Fales and the gifted Chandler Jones heading to the NFL and losing 4 of 5 starting offensive linemen,the Spartans are going to tested right out of the gate. While the passing game has led the way the last two years,its going to be the running game that needs to take charge...and the Spartans are blessed with a lot of good tailbacks in Jarrod Lawson,Tim Crawley and returning star Tyler Ervin who missed last year with injuries. Jr Joe Gray looks to be winning the QB job in the spring and could very be the starter come fall.
   The defense still has NFL prospect Travis Raciti plugging the d-line but I am hoping Robinson switches Raciti to the outside of the line. Travis has a motor that never quits but being double teamed while in the 3-4 limited his true value and allowed teams to attack the center of the line. Playing a 4-3 will limit that option for other teams and Travis can handle anyone in a one on one match-up and make plays.
 Vince Buhagiar returns to lead the linebacker corp while Dasheon Frierson will head up the secondary.

The 2014 schedule:

Game One



North Dakota - 30 August

First meeting

SJSU opens up at home against FCS foe North Dakota. Lucky for the Spartans,its not North Dakota State,as the Bison has beaten many a FBS school including Kansas State last year. No,the Spartans get the Fighting Sioux in what should be a good game to break in new players and schemes. Last year SJS stopped a hard fighting Sacramento State squad 24-0. While I don't think SJS will blow out the Sioux on offense,I do see them winning this game.


at Auburn - 6 Sept.



First meeting

Wow...talk about a baptism in fire,the first road game is against Auburn who went to the National Championship game last year and upset Alabama as well. This will be a supreme test for the Spartans as they have yet to beat a SEC team,the last time they ventured down south,they got steam rolled by a very good Alabama team,48-3. I don't expect the Spartans to win but I (and the rest of Spartan Nation) just want to compete with the Tigers. Being blown out here cannot happen...losing a 10-14 point game will give the team some momentum..I know what some of you are saying,isn't a loss a bad thing? Yes and no...Auburn is going to be jacked after the monster year they had last year while SJSU is going to be starting a new QB behind a reloaded offensive line,to get a W would be a huge upset and it could happen as Auburn might overlook SJSU after opening the season playing SEC rival Arkansas.


After a open date,SJSU once again heads on the road to play Big 10 Minnesota.

Game 3



at Minnesota - 20 Sept

Minnesota leads the series 2-1
Last meeting, Minnesota 43,San Jose State 24

I got to watch this game and was pretty frustrated watching it. This game showed why the Spartans couldn't and shouldn't have played the 3-4. Raciti was contained most of the game as the Spartans failed to get any kind of a pass rush against the Gophers. Coach Caragher had watched senior tailback Jason Simpson have a good game against Sac State and insisted on running him to no avail against Stanford and the Gophers. SJS ended up with 47 yards on the ground and forced Caragher to take another look at his running game. David Fales had a monster game in a losing effort. This year will also see the Gophers rebuilding as they are losing a QB and have to reload on the defensive front as well.
  This game will be a toss up as Minnesota will have already faced two good teams in Middle Tenn and TCU before facing Lawson,Winston and the Spartans.


Game 4



Nevada  27 Sept

Nevada leads the series 4-13-0
Last meeting,Nevada 38, San Jose State 16

This was the game in my opinion that kept San Jose State home from a bowl game. The Wolf Pack game was by far the worst game the Spartans played last year. Coming off a bitter loss to Adam Muema and the San Diego Aztecs,the Spartans were crushed by the woefully bad Wolf Pack,a team that had been blown out 62-7 to Florida State earlier in the season. If the Spartans are to make a statement in the Mountain West,this is the game to do it. Pound the bad teams and dogfight the good teams. The Spartans don't want a repeat of last year in winning their opener then dropping three in a row. 1-3 and trying to win a bowl bid is a hard road to hoe. I do see a Spartan win here however.

Game 5



UNLV  4 Oct

SJSU leads the series 12-5-1
Last meeting,SJS 34,UNLV 24


Second straight week hosting a Nevada school,this time its the Rebels of UNLV. The Spartans had one of their better defensive games as they dominated the first half,shutting out the Rebels at halftime. The second was much tighter as a improved and well coached UNLV made it a game as SJSU hung on to win by 10.
Getting the first two league games at home is a golden chance to go 2-0 and put pressure on the rest of the division...win here and this could the start of something special.


After the second and final open date of the season,SJSU heads out on the road in league play.


Game 6


at Wyoming 18 Oct

Wyoming leads the series,2-6
Last meeting, SJSU 51,Wyoming 44


Perhaps the most exciting Spartan win of last as David Fales scored with mere seconds remaining as SJSU won a shootout with the Cowboys. Both teams clicked on offense while both defenses struggled all game long.Wyoming started strong but the lack of speed on defense doomed them and led to the firing of the head coach. Wyoming hired the coach at North Dakota State to help rebuild the team. They will be like the Spartans were last year,in transition with a new coach. A victory here would be huge in the bowl picture. The Spartans run game will be critical in helping keep a potent Cowpoke attack off the field.


Game 7



at Navy  25 Oct

San Jose State leads the series,2-1
Last meeting,Navy 58,SJSU 52 (2 OTs)


Last non conference game of the year and this series as SJSU travels to Maryland to battle Navy and its lethal option offense which carved up SJS despite the Spartans knowing what was coming. Navy's QB set a college record for most TDs scored by rushing in a single game last year. The 3-4 defense got totally gutted as the defense looked helpless and powerless to stop Navy. The Spartans,who had shut Navy out last time here,had no answers in stopping the option despite have much of the same players on defense from the year before. The Spartans will once again have to control the ball via the running game in order to sink Navy's chances for a win....if not,a loss is very possible here.


Game 8


Colorado State

SJSU leads the series 4-3
Last meeting- SJSU 34,Colorado St. 27

  This year Colorado State will be one of the favored teams in the Mountain West. This is a team on the rise again after stopping Washington State in the New Mexico Bowl. The Rams are explosive on offense but were uneven....scoring 66 points against New Mexico and an astounding 58 against Air Force. But between those games,the Rams were shut out by Utah State showing they still have a ways to go to becoming one of the better teams in the Mountain West. This is will be a swing game as in its anyone's game to win...or lose.


Game 9




at Fresno State

Fresno State leads the series 35-39-3
Last meeting,SJSU 62, Fresno State 52

  Normally the Spartans and Bulldogs meet in the last game of the season but not this year. But this is STILL San Jose State biggest game every year. Like many of the SJSU-FSU clashes in the past,last years game was a instant classic. Fresno came to Spartan Stadium ranked,undefeated and look to go to a BCS game. Derek Carr was having a fantastic season yet David Fales outplayed him in leading SJSU to a major upset and derailing Fresno's dreams for BCS glory. This was the first time SJSU had two in a row against the Bulldogs since the 86-87 games.
  Like SJS,Fresno will be rebuilding this year as Carr and Fales are heading to the NFL. They also will be playing a extremely rugged schedule...USC,Utah and Nebraska. So this game might be decided by which team is the less banged up squad.Fresno's schedule towards the end is much more friendly while SJSU has to travel back home to battle the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.


Game 10



Hawaii

Hawaii leads the series 10-13-1
Last meeting,SJSU 37,Hawaii 27

 Despite the shootout type score from last year,Hawaii was just awful. Beating Army in overtime is the only the thing that prevented a winless season for Hawaii. Famed offensive guru Norm Chow has been a complete bust as a head coach but the Warriors have shown some fight the past two years. The Rainbow Warriors are not really expected to improve much and they have always struggled on the road a bit. Chow will have his hands full in trying to win some of the close games Hawaii dropped last year. If the Spartans can jump on them early and keep the crowd into it,the Spartans should win this game in the 4th quarter. They will need to win as they end the season on the road at two of the better teams in the Mountain West.


Game 11



at Utah State

SJSU leads the series,17-15-1
Last meeting,Utah State 40,SJSU 12.

The Aggies of Utah State are starting to get it together. Despite head coach Gary Andersen moving to Wisconsin,the Aggies hardly skipped a beat by having a great season that saw them narrowing losing the Mountain West title game to Fresno State but bounce back strong to defeat Jordan Lynch and N. Illinois in the Pointsetta Bowl.
  The past two seasons,Utah State has spanked the Spartans,beating them two years ago by 22 and last year by 28 points. The Spartans have a lot to prove if they want to be considered a elite team in the Mountain West. Playing smart sound defense and limiting mistakes on offensive will enhance their chances of upsetting Utah State. Anything less and this could get ugly once again.

Game 12


at San Diego State

SDSU leads the series,5-12-1
Last meeting,San Diego State 34,SJSU 30.

Last year the Spartans led the Aztecs by 10 points heading into the last quarter. But thanks to the amazing Adam Muema,who scored twice in the last stanza,the Spartans went down in defeat at home. The was the first of three straight losses that killed any chance of a bowl game and a winning season. The Spartans couldn't contain Muema all night long and they wore down in the last quarter while San Diego State just got stronger. They defeated Boise State for the second year in row and went on to crush Buffalo in the Potato Bowl.
  Muema won't be back this year and the Aztecs will be hard pressed to replace that kind of talent. The Spartans however will have a full stable of good hard runners and could be poised to return the favor of a beatdown this year.

This season again has the potential to be a good one. Its critical that Caragher go to a bowl game and get the Spartans to a 3rd straight non-losing season. The benefits are paying off as the quality of the recruits are picking up,the team (and its fans) have to keep showing up and playing hard.

In closing I know this is pretty early but this is how I am looking at the upcoming season.

Thanks for reading and feel free to send me some feedback on your team.

If you are on Twitter,follow me @Jinzo_2400

San Jose State Football 2013 Preview

Its 7:28 pm


     Decided to put out a lighter entry today. I know it may be boring to some of you but those who know me well....they will be amused I'm sure.


Today I will be looking at the 2013 San Jose State football schedule. As you know,the Spartans had a year to remember last year as they went 11-2,won the Military Bowl,appeared in 4 national TV games (and won them all) and finished ranked 21st in the nation.
   But its a new day here in Sparta. The WAC has been whacked and the Spartans,along with long time rival,Utah State,have moved on to the Mountain West. The MWC got a fresh surge of energy when both Boise State and San Diego State woke up to reality and said "Hell no" to the Big East and stayed home in the MWC. With those teams staying home and SJS and Utah State having amazing years,the MWC in 2013 is simply going to be a brutal conference to play in.
    And that is the rub for the Spartans,while they did have a great year,chances are good they will not go 10-2 again this year,the schedule is so much stronger this year. And while the Spartans boast of having several starters back,they are not going to sneak up on anyone this year. Every team they play is going to be a challenge and if the Spartans are go 8-4 and bowling,2013 will be a huge stepping stone UP. They will have proven they can win with a new coach and a new defensive scheme.


Game One: 29 August

vs. Sacramento State



   The Hornets may be a FCS school but a pair of Pac-12 teams might need some convincing as the Hornets have stung both Oregon State and Colorado the past two years. The days of collecting a fat paycheck only to get beat by 70 are a thing of the past for Sac State. Now they are playing to win at the big boys level and knocking off the Spartans would only enhance Sac State's recent giant killer status. SJSU needs to come out blazing,establish the run behind a new offensive line and see how the 3-4 defense plays out. This will be a tough game but the Spartans should prevail.


Game Two : 7 Sept
    at Stanford



Stanford leads the series 14-44-1
Last game,Stanford 20,SJS 17 in 2012.

    Huge rivalry game for SJSU....Stanford is the Spartans 2nd biggest rival behind Fresno State.
Two years ago the Cardinal destroyed SJSU 57-3 and once again having Cardinal fans why they were still playing the Spartans. Last year they had their answer as SJS took the 21st ranked Cardinal to wire before dropping a heartbreaker. Where as Stanford is now reloading,the Spartans are cocked and ready to to go behind a veteran offense led by David Fales. A win here would show the Spartans are not a flash in the pan.


Game Three: 21 Sept
at Minnesota


Series tied 1-1
Last game,SJSU 39, Minnesota 30 in 1992

  SJSU travels back into Big 10 territory after losing a very close game to Wisconsin in 2010. The Spartans look to be favored in the game as the Golden Gophers are still about a year away from being a decent club.
This is an important game for SJSU as they look to impress on the road against a team from a major conference in back to back games. A win here would give the Spartans major momentum heading into Mountain West action.


Game Four: 27 Sept
vs. Utah State (ESPN)



SJSU leads series 17-14-1
Last game,Utah State 49,SJSU 27

San Jose open up league play by hosting the last WAC champion,the Aggies of Utah State. Last year the Spartans were coming off a big national TV win against Navy and had a bye before playing Utah State. It didn't help as USU scored early,scored often and held off a last charge by SJSU before sealing the game with two long TDs in the 4th quarter.
  This game will be on ESPN or ESPN2 and will be critical for both teams as they try to prove they were worthy of being asked to join the Mountain West. The winner gets a early lead in league play and potential recruiting juice while loser gets ready for a long week.


Game Five: 5 Oct
at Hawaii

Hawaii leads series 9-13-1
Last game,SJSU 29,Hawaii 27



One of the best games of the series took place in the last meeting as SJSU shocked the pre-season pick to win the WAC,29-27 on ESPN 2. This win showed the type of team and players Coach Mike McIntyre was seeking to establish and while a late season swoon dashed SJSU's bowl hopes that year,they ended up beating Navy and Fresno State to set up last year's terrific year. Hawaii plays extremely well at home and lit up the Spartans,41-7 in the last game at Hawaii.
  This is a important game as the Spartans in two extreme settings...the sun and warmth of Hawaii and the high altitude that is Colorado State the very next week....the team's conditioning and depth will be tested here as many players will have to step up and play well if the Spartans are to contend for a title. The Rainbow Warriors will a real test.


Game Six 12 Oct
at Colorado State



Series tied 3-3
Last game,San Jose State 40,Colorado State 20.

  SJSU enters this game on a two win win streak in this series. This is good because after a rough and rugged game at Hawaii,the Spartans won't have much time to prepare for the Rams. The good news is the that the Rams are in full fledged rebuilding mode and this is a team SJSU should still be able to handle. There aren't too many soft touches in the Mt. West but for now Colorado State has to be considered one and this is a game the Spartans have to win and win big.


Game Seven: 26 Oct
vs. Wyoming



Wyoming leads series 1-6
Last game,Wyoming 30,San Jose State 10.

  Back home after a two game road trip and a bye week as well,the Spartans face a team that has had their number,the Wyoming Cowboys. The good news is the game will be home and Wyoming,these are not the Spartans of old...this game will be won in the trenches as Wyoming has had good solid defensive lines that while not very fast,are very stout against the run and never quit.
  The Spartans will look to protect QB David Fales from a dogged rush and look to spread the ball around to bevy of talented wideouts like Chandler Jones,winning at home is a must for this Spartan team. The crowds have slowly been growing again,a win here keeps this happening.


Game Eight: 2 Nov
at UNLV




SJSU leads series 11-5-1
Last game,SJSU 55,UNLV 48

  Much like Colorado State,UNLV is rebuilding after suffering some horrible season as of late and becoming second fiddle to Nevada and its high powered Pistol offense. SJSU's depth should be a key here as they should be able to wear down a game and gritty Rebel squad playing at home. As in Colorado State,this is a must win and will jump start the Spartans on perhaps their most difficult stretch of games that will decide the season.


Game Nine: 9 Nov
vs. San Diego State




San Diego State leads series  5-11-1
Last game,SJSU 38, SDSU 34

  What once was a one sided sided regional rivalry in the Aztecs favor has suddenly turned into SJSU's as the Spartans have won the last 3 straight. This is a huge game as both school generally try and recruit from the same pool of talent. New Spartan Head Coach Ron Caragher used to coach at FCS school San Diego and most likely have a idea of what Rocky Long has in mind for this next match-up.
  The Aztecs are one of the better schools in the Mountain West as under HC Long,they have started bowling every year. The Spartans will have their hands full in this game. Who will win? Depends on who has the ball last!


Game Ten: 16 Nov
at Nevada (ABC/ESPN)

Nevada leads series,4-12-0
Last game,Nevada 17,SJSU 14.




Another game against one of the better Mt. West teams and this game will be featured on ESPN. The Spartans lost a tough game the last time these two met as the Wolfpack knocked away a last minute toss in the end zone to preserve a 17-14 win.
  Long time Nevada HC Chris Ault has retired and so begins a transition phase for Nevada. This will hopefully provide just enough edge for the Spartans to eek out a close win and get of out Reno alive!This game will most likely be for bowl positioning as both schools fight for one the few spots out there. This will not be a easy game but a loss here would not be shocking to see.

Game 11: 22 Nov
Navy (ESPN)



SJSU leads series,2-0
Last game,San Jose State 12, Navy 0.

  Third game of a four game series finds the Spartans playing Navy in a out of conference match-up that will be a nationally broadcast game on ESPN. Last year the Spartans shutout the Middies 12-0 for their first shutout since 1988,when they stopped UNLV,42-0. Needless to say,this will most likely not happen again and Navy and its option offense will be looking to run wild on the Spartan "D". The new 3-4 defense which is designed to stop the run will get its best test all year in facing Navy.
  And again,this is a critical game as far as recruiting goes as once again SJS finds itself on TV playing a major "name" team at home. A win here could inspire some key players to commit early and perhaps seal a bowl bid as well.

Game 12: 7 Dec
vs. Fresno State (CBS Sports Channel)

Fresno State leads series 34-39-3
Last game,SJSU 27,Fresno State 24




   Michigan- Ohio State,Alabama-Auburn,USC-UCLA,Bethune Cookman-Florida A&M.....
Good rivalry games....that is what every football fan looks forward to each year. It doesn't matter what the records are,both could be awful...(like New Mexico- New Mexico State),both could be very good...all that matters is the game itself and for us Spartan fans,we circle the Fresno State in red and wait for it to happen every year.
  SJSU used to dominate this series until Pat Hill took over at Fresno...after that,the Bulldogs have won just about  every game since 2002. Not only won but kicked ass. SJSU used to have a 10 game series lead but you can see,its Fresno who has the lead now....but with SJSU's marked improvement and Fresno's sudden decline that ended up costing Hill his job,the Spartans won last year's game at Fresno and will seek to win back to back for the first time since 1986-87. This is the game that Spartan Stadium needs to be sold out and turned into a sea of blue and gold. Win this game and even if the Spartans struggle,it will make for a good year and a great launching pad for 2014.
  Of course if the Spartans will the West Division,chances are they will play Boise State for the Mt West Championship....do that and the sustained return of SJS football will be cemented!

I know....its not very exciting or hard hitting but I love my school and I like to support them whenever possible.