Fort Collins – At least the Mountain West Conference scheduling office was considerate enough to send one of the league’s snow belt teams, Colorado State, to some sunshine by the sea in San Diego this weekend.
Saturday’s forecast in Fort Collins: partly cloudy with a high of 28 degrees. Saturday’s forecast in San Diego: sunny with a high of 72.
It’s not the MWC’s fault, however, that CSU doesn’t have an indoor practice facility. When a foot of snow dumped on the CSU practice field, the Rams weren’t able to get much done outside Tuesday or inside the gym Wednesday.
Then again, the Rams have been practicing since early August with four wins to show for the effort. Two more drills weren’t likely to make much difference.
All that’s left for the Rams (4-7, 1-6) is to avoid a tie for the cellar for the first time since 1991, when they went 2-6 in the Western Athletic Conference to tie with New Mexico.
San Diego State’s objective is avoiding the first 10-loss season in program history.
In recent weeks, CSU players and coaches have pointed to two losses – a second-half collapse at Air Force and a last-minute loss by a field goal to New Mexico – as the difference between a potential last-place tie and going to a bowl game.
“Had we finished the Air Force and New Mexico games, it would have been a completely different season,” senior tackle Clint Oldenburg said.
The Aztecs have not been spared injuries this season, and they never had the same lineup for two consecutive weeks. Injuries forced the Aztecs to use three quarterbacks, finally getting back last year’s starter Kevin O’Connell.
He showed the effects of sitting out most of the season because of hand surgery, tossing three interceptions in the first quarter at New Mexico.
First-year Aztecs coach Chuck Long came to the MWC from his position as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator with a keen respect for the CSU program.
“Things have gotten away from them as they have with us,” Long said. “We’re still learning a new system. Guys haven’t grasped it yet.”
But Long doesn’t regret the leap to his first head coaching job: “I knew what I was getting into.”
He points to the 8-0 men’s basketball program, which once resided in the MWC’s netherlands, as an example of what can be accomplished with vast resources. It just doesn’t happen overnight.
While the players on both sides talk about sending the seniors out with a win, CSU coach Sonny Lubick was to the point this week: “Let’s see if we can put a good game together in all facets.”
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Colorado State (4-7, 1-6): QB Caleb Hanie started his career in San Diego two years ago with a game-winning drive after Justin Holland broke his leg. Hanie will have more pressure this time, as the running game takes yet another step backward with Nnamdi Ohaeri (hamstring) sidelined. WR Damon Morton has been relatively quiet after a strong start but should have plenty of support in the stands from his California-based family and friends.
San Diego State (2-9, 2-5): RB Atiyyah Henderson, a redshirt freshman, has provided one of the few upsides in the Aztecs’ injury-riddled season. He leads his team with 706 yards, despite missing the first two games, and had a season-high 142 yards against Air Force. WR Chaz Schilens had a breakout game against the Rams last year and is the second-leading receiver with 476 yards.
Key stat
The teams are tied at 99th nationally in turnover margin at minus-0.64 a game.
Key for CSU
Rams have yet to play well for a complete game since the first week of MWC play in October, and the second team has been in at the end for the past few lopsided losses. If any defense in the MWC is vulnerable, it’s San Diego State after yielding 93 points in its past two games.
Key for San Diego State
Aztecs were intercepted three times in the first quarter last Saturday. If San Diego State can avoid giving CSU a short field, it will be a plus. The Rams haven’t proved they can drive 70-80 yards.
NATALIE MEISLER
