San Diego State used to be able to chalk up football wins against New Mexico and UNLV as soon as the schedule came out.
Darn-near gimmes, game after game.
The last time the Aztecs lost to New Mexico was 2008 until last week. San Diego State now travels to UNLV on Saturday as a 20½-point underdog, fighting for its bowl-qualifying life. SDSU hasnt lost to UNM and UNLV in the same year since 2005.
The Aztecs are 3-6 with three games remaining. Three setbacks — Central Michigan, Washington State, and New Mexico — by a combined nine points have compounded the situation.
So, the hand-wringing begins.
No one is more frustrated than I am about how close weve been and where I can be better to lead the organization, first-year coach Sean Lewis said.
It underscores the tricky build for Lewis, in his first season with a unique system labeled AztecFAST and so many players he did not recruit to fit it.
Theres almost no margin for error. That raises alarm bells, given that San Diego State has piled up the third-most penalty yards per game nationally among 133 teams.
Growing pains? Sure.
Sloppy or undisciplined? Thats another story.
The Aztecs recorded twice the number of penalties as Washington State — eight — in that tight loss. They finished with eight against New Mexico, which is the equivalent of 121st in the country for penalties per game.
We have to have all the different pitches in our arsenal offensively to be able to go super fast when need be, but then slow things down and be able to play and manage the game so that we can win, Lewis said.
Stir in third-down woes on both sides of the ball and the climb intensifies. San Diego State ranks 113th nationally in third-down percentage and 114th in third-down defense.
In the biggest moments, the Aztecs offensive engine has stalled. When theres a chance to stop an opponents momentum, the defense too rarely has staunched the bleeding.
It has been a debilitating combination.
We need to get off the field when we have the opportunities to do so, especially in critical moments when we need to get the ball back at the end of the game, Lewis said. And we need to limit the explosive plays.
SDSU coach Sean Lewis watches his players during Aztecs spring football practice at SDSU in San Diego on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Theres a lot of work to do.
Even if the Aztecs fall at UNLV, winnable games against two-win teams Utah State and Air Force remain. Come out on the right side in those and a five-win season would signal modest improvement from the four wins of 2023.
If youre Lewis, that would be something to build on, no matter how small. And at this point, its the bare minimum.
Theres no denying, though, that the New Mexico loss represents a painful miss. That would have made a six-win season and bowl eligibility more realistic.
In that scenario, it would signal indisputable progress.
Thats life in the thin-margin universe.
Ive got to do a better job of making sure were closing that gap, Lewis said, because theres been a few key plays throughout the course of the year that we can all point to at different moments where if they go our way wed be in a much different situation in terms of what the overall record would be, right?
No ones satisfied. No ones content.
SDSU coach Sean Lewis talks to his players during practice at SDSU in San Diego on Friday, Aug. 02, 2024. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Actions trump words.
Theres that old adage, you are what your record is and I get that, Lewis said.
So, who are the Aztecs?
Theyre a 3-6 team that should and could be better. They need to play cleaner. They need to make more plays in critical moments. They need to beat the Central Michigans and New Mexicos.
Thats a test that almost assuredly will remain tough in the era of the transfer portal and NIL payouts. The revolving door will keep spinning. Keeping gems becomes tougher with bigger check waiting on another campuses.
Threading the needle on all of it will separate those who strive and those who stumble. Thats the gig to become better at this level right now.
Thats what it is, Lewis said. Youve gotta adapt and youve gotta move and pivot with that.
Lewis still has the 100-miles-a-minute energy he flashed when he first arrived on campus. Hell need all of it to polish the Aztecs into a program that again can contend for conference titles.
Substance outmuscles style.
Were going to be loyal to winning, first and foremost, he said.
Theres clearly plenty of work to do in that department.
San Diego States remaining schedule
San Diego State is 3-6 overall and 2-2 in Mountain West play heading into the final stretch of the 2024 season. Heres who is left on the Aztecs schedule:
Saturday: at UNLV (7-2, 3-1), 7:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network/ 760-AM)
Nov. 23: at Utah State (2-7, 1-3), 12:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network/ 760-AM)
Nov. 30: vs. Air Force (2-7, 1-4), time TBA (TV TBA/ 760-AM)