9/17/04

Why playing in Horseshoe last year hurt the Aztecs chances of beating Michigan in the Big House this year.

The media talks about it, the coaches talk about it, and the players talk about it; all the confidence the Aztec football team received last year by beating up Ohio St. on the field (just not on the scoreboard) at the daunting Horse Shoe in Columbus. The problem is these Aztec’s don’t need confidence; they can’t go into Michigan and play straight up thinking that “we did it to Ohio St., why not Michigan”. The deer in the headlights, so hyped up because they are playing in front of 100,000 screaming fans, is the way these players need to feel to pull of a 22 point underdog upset. If San Diego St. goes in calm and collective, plays a 4-3 two deep man, they are going to get blown out.

Michigan QB Update:

Aztec Defensive Coordinator, Thom Kaumeyer, is preparing for this weeks contest as if Chad Henne, the super Freshman QB, will be in the starting line-up. On a local radio station Kaumeyer said that they would not prepare much differently for either QB but felt that Henne has a big time arm. This would suggest that the Aztec defense might be stretched with the added threat of the deep pass.

Injury Update:

Freshmen All-American Lynell Hamilton began practice on Monday but will not play in this weekends game against Michigan.  Hamilton was offered a scholarship to Michigan before deciding on San Diego St.  He stirred up some interest when he noted that he chose SDSU over Michigan, Colorado and other big name schools because of immoral behavior by players on his recruiting trip.

Game Update:

The Aztecs will again shift their starting offensive line for this week’s game.  Chris Pino, OG, the prize JC recruit for Coach Craft’s 2004 class will start his first I-A football game moving Redshirt Freshman Will Robinson to tackle.  Pino had been suffering from a series of issues including a concussion and exhaustion which caused him to be out of shape for the start of the season.  Robinson is a future standout but at about 280 lbs. will face a difficult task against a strong Michigan front.