San Diego State Aztecs Secure Bowl Spot with 23-0 Victory

San Diego State University’s football team secured a postseason bowl berth for the first time since 2022 following a decisive 23-0 victory against Fresno State on October 28, 2023. With this win, the Aztecs improved their record to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Mountain West Conference, marking a significant turnaround under head coach Sean Lewis.

The Aztecs’ resurgence has made them a popular choice in bowl projections, and various forecasts have emerged since their postseason eligibility became official. CBS Sports continues to predict that San Diego State will compete in the Los Angeles Bowl, where they could face off against the University of Washington, a former Pac-12 member now in the Big Ten.

Upcoming Challenges and Competition

As the regular season progresses, several other bowl projections have surfaced. Notably, the defending Mountain West champions, Boise State, are also anticipated to secure a spot in the Los Angeles Bowl. Clarity on both teams’ postseason destinations is expected to emerge after their upcoming matchup on November 15, when San Diego State hosts Boise State at Snapdragon Stadium.

Boise State, currently holding the only other perfect Mountain West record at 4-0, faces Fresno State this Saturday, while San Diego State prepares for a Homecoming game against Wyoming. Following these games, Boise State will have a bye week before their crucial visit to San Diego State, while SDSU will travel to face Hawaii.

The turnaround this season is remarkable, especially considering that last year, the Aztecs finished with a disappointing record of 3-9, losing their final six games. The current campaign reflects a stark improvement, doubling their win total under Lewis’ leadership, who is in his second season as head coach. Previously, San Diego State enjoyed a successful streak of ten consecutive bowl appearances from 2010 to 2019, with visits to bowl games in 2021 and 2022 before missing the postseason last year.

Potential Bowl Matchups

Bowl projections for San Diego State include several enticing matchups, reflecting their resurgence this season. Among the notable predictions:

– **Los Angeles Bowl (December 13)**: San Diego State vs. Washington
This matchup would be convenient for Aztecs fans, as it takes place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

– **Frisco Bowl (December 23)**: San Diego State vs. Washington State
This projection indicates a rematch from the earlier season when Washington State defeated the Aztecs by 23 points.

– **Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (December 22)**: San Diego State vs. Ohio
This matchup would pit the Aztecs against the Bobcats of the Mid-American Conference, a rematch of the 2018 Frisco Bowl.

– **First Responder Bowl (December 24)**: San Diego State vs. Miami (Ohio)
A projection that could mark the first meeting between these two teams in a bowl setting.

Additionally, Athlon Sports has shifted its prediction from the Arizona Bowl to a matchup against Central Michigan at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Meanwhile, Mountain West Connection has raised the possibility of the Aztecs playing in the LA Bowl as conference champions, while other experts foresee them heading to the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix.

As the season unfolds, San Diego State looks poised to solidify its place in the postseason and potentially add to its storied history in college football.