San Diego State and Washington State are like those neighbors across the street who wave as they get the mail outside, but other than that you don’t have much contact.

The teams have met on the football field only twice before. SDSU won 42-24 at home in 2011. The Cougars won 45-17 at home in 2007.

SDSU (3-3) and Washington State (6-1) will get to know each other much better in the future, with the Aztecs set to join the Cougars in the reconstituted Pac-12 in 2026. Washington State is both on the Aztecs’ schedule. this year and next year, so by the time they become enemies of the conference, they will be old friends.

“They’re a really good opponent, coming here, right?” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said. “Only one loss this season, against a really good Boise (State) team, and they knocked off Texas Tech, a Power Five (school).”

Washington State became bowl eligible thanks to last week’s 42-10 win over Hawaii, a team the Aztecs defeated 27-24 three weeks ago.

SDSU is a 14-point underdog coming into the game at Snapdragon Stadium. Kick-off is 7:30 PM (CBS Sports Network).

Here are five things to look for:

1. John Mateer, Washington State QB

As quarterback John Mateer says, so go the Cougars.

Washington State ranks 15th in the nation in scoring average (39.4 ppg), largely because of the 6-foot-4, 219-pound dual-threat QB from Little Elm, Texas.

Mateer has completed 129 of 215 passes for 1,896 yards and 16 touchdowns against six interceptions. He has also rushed for 533 yards and eight more touchdowns.

“This guy is a challenge just because of his speed,” SDSU defensive coordinator Eric Schmidt said. “There are dual-threat guys who run to extend the ball. He’s really fast.”

After watching the video of Washington State’s wins over Texas Tech and Washington, Schmidt said Mateer had a number of carries that were as good as any college running back.

“He’s shifty and he’s thick, his lower half, and he can get through arm tackles,” Schmidt said. “It will be as big a challenge as we have had this year when it comes to a guy who is really very elusive and is as good on his feet as he is with his arm.”

2. SDSU ground game

SDSU running back Marquez Cooper (151 carries, 670 yards, 6 touchdowns) got a welcome break during last week’s off week.

Cooper has been a workhorse for the Aztecs, averaging 25 carries and 111 yards per game. It’s been tough work. Cooper often gets hit behind the line of scrimmage, and the gaps were often small when looking for running room.

Washington State was just as good against the run, ranking 83rd nationally with 157.6 yards per game.

The pressure is on SDSU’s offensive line to give Cooper some room to roam. One positive from the off week is that Aztecs center Brayden Bryant’s injured right ankle was given more time to heal.

3. Washington State pass defense

SDSU has had just three passes intercepted this season. Only one of the interceptions came from starting quarterback Danny O’Neil, who had a streak of 127 consecutive throws without an interception before Wyoming picked off a pass two weeks ago.

Washington State has intercepted nine passes, led by defensive backs Ethan O’Connor (three) and Tyson Durant (two).

Something has to give, right?

“They’re kind of finding their rhythm on offense,” Washington State coach Jake Dickert said on his coach’s show this week. “Hopefully we don’t let them find it this week. That’s the plan.”

Regarding O’Neil’s performance this season, Dickert said, “He’s as talented as they come and can make all the throws. We have to try to contain him and keep him in his pocket, and obviously we have to push those things back so he doesn’t feel comfortable.”

The Aztecs have lost just one fumble this season. With four substitutions, they rank fifth in the country. Only Army (1), Navy (2), Vanderbilt (2) and South Alabama (3) have fewer turnovers.

4. Third-down conversions

A focus in the second half of the season for the Aztecs will be improving their third-down conversion rate.

SDSU has converted just 33 percent of third down plays, which ranks 113th in the nation.

Part of the problem is the fines. SDSU ranks 132nd in the nation with 10 penalties per game. That led to several third-and-long situations that were too much to overcome.

Washington State has been very effective on third down, as you would expect for a team that scores nearly 40 points per game. The Cougars have converted 45 percent of third downs, which ranks 25th in the country.

5. When it comes to stairs

Washington State’s offense has been so productive this season that senior kicker/punter Dean Janikowski (Cathedral Catholic High School) has spent more time as a spectator than a participant.

Janikowski is 7-for-9 on field goal attempts, going 52 yards. He averages 43.6 yards on 23 punts, with a long of 55 yards.

SDSU kicker Gabriel Plascencia is 5-for-6 on field goals from 50 yards. He had a pair of field goals in wins over both Hawaii and Wyoming.

SDSU punter Tyler Pastula has been a weapon for the Aztecs this season. His punting average of 46.3 yards ranks fifth in the NCAA. It was bolstered two weeks ago by a performance at Wyoming that included a season-best punt of 75 yards. That was one of ten stairs of 50 meters or more.

Originally published: October 25, 2024 at 5:34 PM