San Diego State will be motivated to remain undefeated in Mountain West play, get back to .500 on the season and beat one of its biggest rivals in conference play Friday night at No. 15 Boise State.

There is even more at stake for the Broncos. The first CFP rankings of the year will be released Tuesday and Boise State will bid to be included in the expanded 12-team playoff.

Automatic bids will be given to the top five conference champions, likely those from the Power Four conferences, as well as the top-rated Group of Five champion, along with seven at-large berths.

Boise State (6-1, 3-0 MW) is on track to become the automatic representative of the Group of Five if it continues its winning ways.

A three-point loss to now-No. 1 Oregon is the only blemish on the Broncos’ record. Boise State remained undefeated in the Mountain West with last week’s 29-24 win over UNLV.

SDSU (3-4, 2-0) returns to conference play after last week’s 29-26 home loss to Washington State.

The Aztecs are 2-2 on Boise State’s blue field, though they are 23 1/2-point underdogs coming into the game at Albertsons Stadium. Kickoff is 5:00 PM PT (Fox Sports 1).

Here are five things to look for:

1. Time of possession

The Aztecs rank 123rd in the nation in time of possession (26:44) out of 134 FBS schools.

They have not taken the lead in time of possession in any of their seven games this season.

If ever they had to dominate time of possession against an opponent, it’s Boise State.

The Broncos haven’t exactly played keepaway themselves, ranking 52nd (30:46) in the category. But they have been very productive when it comes to possession and rank third in the country in scoring at 44.3 points per game.

Boise State has been especially productive in the red zone. The Broncos scored on 94.9 percent of their chances when they got to the 20-yard line. Only nine other teams in the country were better.

SDSU’s defense has limited opponents to 23.6 points per game. A similar effort would give the Aztecs a fighting chance against Boise State. SDSU’s offense, which extends some drives and burns the clock, a challenge given the team’s uptempo style, would benefit a defense that has grown tired late in games. The Aztecs allowed 56 points in the fourth quarter, more than in any other period of the game.

2. Slowing down Ashton Jeanty

Boise State junior running back Ashton Jeanty rushed for a career-high 205 yards and two touchdowns during last year’s meet at Snapdragon Stadium.

It was the first 200-meter race of Jeanty’s career. He’s had four since. He is averaging 196.6 yards per game this season.

“He’s a physical runner with home run speed,” said SDSU coach Sean Lewis, adding that it’s essential to “have multiple hats on the ball and really utilize his skill set.

“If it’s just one, or sometimes two and sometimes even three, like you better have four or five because he’s going to make sure you earn it – he’s not going down easily.”

Jeanty may not be at full strength. He suffered a left arm injury in the second quarter of last week’s game against UNLV, but returned to the game after a brief absence for treatment.

3. Problems with the SDSU O-line

SDSU’s offensive line has been shuffled more thoroughly than a deck of cards.

All five starting spots have been hit by injuries, including season-ending injuries at both left tackle and left guard.

Another shakeup is expected against the Broncos. Starting right guard Tyler McMahon and starting right tackle Nate Williams are both dealing with left ankle injuries suffered against Washington State.

McMahon and Williams were both practice observers earlier this week. Lewis said their presence would be an in-match decision.

If they can’t participate, redshirt freshman Briley Barron would play right guard and junior Saipale Fuimaono would man right tackle. Both players would make their first college starts against the Broncos.

4. Go after the QBs

Boise State will have to do something to slow down SDSU lead Trey White, who leads the nation with 11 1/2 sacks.

The Broncos have done a great job protecting quarterback Maddux Madsen (120-for-193, 1,482 yards, 13 TDs/2 INTs), who has been sacked just six times all season.

“We have to have a lot of answers for Trey White,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said. “I mean, if you’re running the nation in pockets, we’re crazy if we don’t have answers and switches for him. I mean, it’s necessary, and so we’ll be ready for him.”

If White diverts attention, it could open up opportunities for linemates Tupu Alualu, Marlem Louis or Ryan Henderson, who have combined for nine sacks.

Boise State is also coming after the quarterback, leading the nation with 35 sacks this season. Defensive end Ahmed Hassanein leads the Broncos with seven sacks. Sophomore edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Mt. Carmel High School) is second with 6 1/2 sacks among 38 tackles.

5. Will sales figures tell the story?

Both teams have been very good at what Lewis calls ‘appreciating the football’.

SDSU has thrown four interceptions and lost one fumble, with its five turnovers ranking sixth in the country. Boise State has taken the Aztecs one step further, throwing three interceptions with one lost fumble, with its four turnovers ranking second in the country.

SDSU’s defense has been more productive and has generated turnovers, allowing 10 points (six interceptions, four fumbles) compared to six (two interceptions, four fumbles) by the Broncos.

Originally published: October 31, 2024 at 4:59 PM PDT