San Diego State Aztecs 2026: the season story
San Diego State is 4-5 and rated No. 125 of 266 in the Cheap Seats Index, from this season's games only: Power 120th, Résumé 90th, schedule 69th toughest. Next: home against Utah State.
Scouting report
Why it matters. A team can rank high by playing well, by beating good teams, or both; the two halves of the index show which. San Diego State is No. 125 of 266 in the Team Index and 8th of 8 in the Pac-12. Power, how well it plays, ranks 120th of 266; Résumé, what it has beaten, ranks 90th of 266.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. A record says who won; a rating for every game shows how convincingly, and whether a team is steady or streaky. San Diego State loses its games by 7.9 points on average, 117th of 138 in margin among FBS teams. It is 0-1 against teams in our top 25.
How they win
Why it matters. Knowing which side of the ball does the work tells you how a team is likely to win, and how it could lose. Its offense rates 90th of 138 in FBS (6th in the Pac-12) and its defense 120th of 138 (7th in the conference).
Drive by drive
Why it matters. Points per drive is the cleanest single measure of an offense or a defense, because it ignores how fast or slow a team plays. San Diego State scores 2.21 points per drive (the FBS average is 2.45), 89th of 138. Its defense allows 2.82, 125th of 138.
Under the hood
Why it matters. Play-by-play measures show whether a team is good on most snaps or living on a few big plays, which tends to matter for what comes next. Adjusted for its opponents, the offense adds -0.00 expected points per play (123rd of 138) and stays on schedule on 40% of snaps (124th of 138). The defense allows +0.01 per play, 77th of 138.
When it matters
Why it matters. Third downs and red-zone trips are where drives are won or lost; small edges here turn into touchdowns instead of field goals. San Diego State converts 36% of its third downs and scores touchdowns on 64% of red-zone trips (FBS average 63%), 66th of 138.
Special teams
Why it matters. A missed field goal or a long return can flip a close game; these numbers show which units help and which hurt. Its special teams as a whole rank 32nd of 138, worth +1.81 points a game against an average unit. The best unit is kick returns, 5th of 138.
Tendencies
Why it matters. Tendencies are what opponents game-plan against: a team that is predictable on early downs makes the defense's job easier. San Diego State throws on 42% of early downs; the FBS average is 45%.
How they play
Why it matters. Fast teams pile up yards and slow teams shorten games; the line decides how much of either actually works. It runs 60.8 plays a game (FBS average 65.5). Its quarterbacks are sacked on 4.1% of dropbacks, 37th of 138, and 21% of its runs are stopped at or behind the line, 117th of 138.
Who they have played
Why it matters. A great offense against weak defenses is not the same thing as a great offense; the splits show the difference. San Diego State's schedule ranks 69th of 266 in strength, 6th toughest of 8 in the Pac-12.
Record versus reality
Why it matters. Records built on close wins and lucky bounces tend to drift back toward how well a team really plays. San Diego State has 4 wins against 2.8 expected from its play and schedule, and is 3-1 in one-score games.
Rise and fall
Why it matters. Teams change over a season through injuries, new starters and growth; the trend shows which way this one is moving. San Diego State was 80th in Power after week 2 and is 120th now; its best was 80th after week 2.
What is ahead
Why it matters. Playing out the rest of the season 10,000 times turns a schedule into odds: the most likely record, and how likely each goal is. Across 10,000 simulated seasons San Diego State averages 4.5 wins and almost never wins the Pac-12. It almost never reaches the playoff.
Top players and teams like them
Why it matters. Comparing a team with its closest statistical matches puts its season in context beyond the standings. The highest-ranked player on the roster is Sione Hala, 17th of 930 linebackers. The closest match in style and strength is California.
