College Football News Preview 2020: San Jose State Spartans Keys To The Season
Biggest Key To The San Jose State Spartans Offense
Don’t ignore the running game. The passing attack was too good to not keep using, and games started to get a bit too out of hand at times to utilize the ground attack. However, when it worked, good things usually happened.
It’ll be that way for this year, too.
The Spartans ran for over 100 yards five times, won three of them, and lost a 42-40 fight to Hawaii. There are enough quick backs to rely on, and owning the time of possession battle doesn’t always mean the tempo has to be slowed down.
It’s not Brent Brennan’s offensive brand, but even if the big yards aren’t there, averaging more than five yards per carry once in a while would be nice.
Biggest Key To The San Jose State Spartans Defense
Get … off … the … field. The 2010 Spartan defense was a disaster on third downs. The team went 1-12 – it failed to beat an FBS team – and allowed teams to convert over 48% of their third down chances.
The 2019 defense was the worst at coming up with stops since that 2010 D, allowing offenses to hit on 47% of their third down tries.
How bad was it? Thrown into the statistical mix was the regular season finale when it held Fresno State to 1-of-12 third down conversions, and the final numbers were still miserable.
The Spartans allowed teams to convert 40% or more nine times in the 12 games, and 50% or more in five of those.
Key San Jose State Spartans Player To A Successful Season
DT Lando Grey, Sr.
Or Christian Johnson, or someone who can stuff up the middle of the line in the 3-4 alignment.
Sailosi Latu’s 334-pound bulk didn’t do enough for one of the nation’s worst run defenses, and now the new nose tackle at least has to be active, if not an anchor.
The 6-2, 290-pound Grey was a decent interior pass rusher at the JUCO level, and the 6-6, 276-pound Johnson made 19 tackles last year working at end and tackle.
No matter who it is, the production has to be there on the inside.
Key Game To The San Jose State Spartans Season
at Central Michigan, Sept. 5
2002. That was the last time San Jose State won a season opener against an FBS program. To be fair, most of the lid-lifters have been against FCS teams, but there hasn’t been a whole lot of luck no matter what.
With UC Davis to follow, a win over Central Michigan would likely lead to the first 2-0 start to a season since 1987. Lose, and with Penn State and Boise State coming up, it’s going to be a 1-3 start at best.
– San Jose State Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
2019 San Jose State Fun Stats
– Time of Possession: Opponents 33:33 – San Jose State 26:27
– Passing Yards: San Jose State 4,056 – Opponents 2,540
– Fumbles: Opponents 25 (lost 7) – San Jose State 13 (lost 5)