A Case For San Diego State Making It A Game Against Oregon State

San Diego State Aztecs safety Eric Butler (34) seen playing the Ohio Bobcats during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/John McCoy)

By STEVEN VAUGHAN, 750 THE GAME

San Diego State has a knack for beating Power 5 opponents. The Aztecs had a chance last week against UCLA but couldn’t get it done. This week they have their final chance to do so against Oregon State in Corvallis.

It was a big loss on the scoreboard last week against the Bruins. A 38-10 loss to UCLA at home is nothing to be proud of. Jon Schaeffer of San Diego Sports 760 joined the Bald Faced Truth with John Canzano and said the Aztecs had chances against UCLA and believes that if San Diego State is to be competitive against Oregon State, it’s going to be on the defensive side.

“If they can force a turnover or two, which is tough to do against Oregon State as they’re so good in that area, but I think if they can be plus one or better they’ll have a chance to potentially be in the game,” Schaeffer said on 750 The Game. “I thought they had chances in the game against UCLA last week. I think they were disappointed with the way that they played.”

Vegas certainly doesn’t think this game is going to be close. Oregon State is a 24 point favorite at home against San Diego State. Schaffer says the point spread seems right but San Diego State is a football program that isn’t going to be afraid of the Beavers.

“There’s a reason the point spread is where it is,” he said. “San Diego State is a really prideful program. They’re going to go into the game expecting to win the game and not just be competitive. Defensively they can’t allow big plays. They allowed some big plays to UCLA and I don’t think they can allow those big plays this weekend.”

The strength of Oregon State is their running game led by sophomore phenom Damien Martinez who is averaging 10 yards a rush this season. Schaffer says historically San Diego State is one of the best against the run even though they didn’t show it last week and it may still be to early for the Aztecs to expect success on their defensive line.

“Historically they are as good as any team in the country,” Schaeffer said of SDSU’s rush defense. “They didn’t have success last week against UCLA. Remember they play a 3-3-5 and are famous for it for the better part of 20 years. And they graduate all three on that front from last year. Some terrific players. They’re still getting accustomed I think. They’ll be good by the second half of the year.”

On paper it’s an easy win for Oregon State. Being a 24-point favorite seems like an easy win, especially at Reser Stadium where the Beavers dropped only one game last season. But San Diego State has been successful in the past decade against the Pac-12. It doesn’t seem like the Beavers will overlook the Aztecs.

Catch the full interview with Jon Schaeffer by listening to the podcast below. Catch the Bald Faced Truth with John Canzano weekdays 3-6 pm in Portland exclusively on 750 The Game.