:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37655906/185985779.0.jpg)
San Diego State Aztecs (0-0, MWC) vs. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (0-0, Big Sky)
Game time: 4 p.m. Pacific Time, 7 p.m. Eastern Time
How to watch: CBS Sports Network, NAU-TV
How to listen: The Mighty 1090 AM (SDSU), Hits 106.1 FM (NAU)
Game preview: Aztecs look to start season better than last year / Early preview of Northern Arizona / Q&A with "Voice of the Lumberjacks" Mitch Strohman
Keys to the game:
NAU: Pass, pass and then pass some more
NAU's defense was tremendous last year, leading all of FCS with eight defensive touchdowns. But that unit loses eight players, so it most likely won't match last year's production. NAU also had a great ground attack last year led by Zach Bauman, who compiled more rushing and receiving yards than quarterback Kyren Poe threw for. But this season the Lumberjacks won't have Bauman in the backfield for the first time in four years. The Lumberjacks do, however, return Poe and a solid crop of receivers, led by senior Dejzon Walker. SDSU's defensive weakness is its inexperienced safety corps, so if the Lumberjacks have any hope of winning, they need to attack the secondary throughout the game.
SDSU: Keep it simple
SDSU is more talented than NAU. The Aztecs get 85 scholarships; the Lumberjacks get 63. SDSU has the appeal of a Division I, FBS program; NAU is an FCS program. But time and time again we see that the more talented team doesn't always win. Mercer wasn't more talented than Jabari Parker's Duke team in this year's NCAA Tournament, but Mercer played far better than the Blue Devils--and surprise, surprise: the Blue Devils lost. SDSU football knows all too well that one can't win on talent alone after losing 40-19 to the FCS's Eastern Illinois in last season's opener. So here's SDSU's key to the game: don't underestimate NAU, but also don't try to do too much in hopes of blowing the Lumberjacks out of the water--that could backfire (turnovers, penalties, etc.). If SDSU just executes its game plan and plays a solid game, fans at Qualcomm Stadium will see the Aztecs take the season opener.