Spring Football Preview: San Diego State Aztecs

Spring practice starts: April 8

Spring game: May 2

Three Things to watch

1. New head coach Brady Hoke was responsible for Ball State's turnaround, and will have his hands full in San Diego. The Aztecs have not had a winning season since leaving the WAC to form the Mountain West in 1998. The Aztecs do have two great assistants in former New Mexico head coach Rocky Long who is now the teams defensive coordinator. The other is offensive coordinator Al Borges formerly held the same position at Auburn from 2004-2007. Turn around in one year is not expected, but this staff should be able to get the Aztecs more competitive in the next two years.
2. The offense really needs work, but quarterback Ryan Lindley did a good job with limited playmakers and is expected to run the new offense. The Aztecs were short on playmakers last season. Leading receiver Vincent Brown returns as does top running threat Atiyyah Henderson.
3. San Diego State's defense was one of the worst in the country in nearly every category. New defensive coordinator Rocky Long will bring over his 3-3-5 defense and make it an attacking defense. The Aztecs may not have all the players to fully implement this defense in 2009, but they should be better.