San Diego State Football: Aztecs surge back to top of MWC in 2018
By Zach Bigalke
2018 San Diego State Schedule and Predictions
| WEEK | DATE | SCHOOL | OPPONENT |
| 1 | Aug. 31, 2018 (FRI) | San Diego State | @ Stanford |
| 2 | Sep. 8, 2018 | San Diego State | vs. FCS Sacramento State |
| 3 | Sep. 15, 2018 | San Diego State | vs. Arizona State |
| 4 | Sep. 22, 2018 | San Diego State | vs. Eastern Michigan |
| 5 | Sep. 29, 2018 | BYE | WEEK |
| 6 | Oct. 6, 2018 | San Diego State | @ Boise State |
| 7 | Oct. 12, 2018 (FRI) | San Diego State | vs. Air Force |
| 8 | Oct. 20, 2018 | San Diego State | vs. San Jose State |
| 9 | Oct. 27, 2018 | San Diego State | @ Nevada |
| 10 | Nov. 3, 2018 | San Diego State | @ New Mexico |
| 11 | Nov. 10, 2018 | San Diego State | vs. UNLV |
| 12 | Nov. 17, 2018 | San Diego State | @ Fresno State |
| 13 | Nov. 23, 2018 (FRI) | San Diego State | vs. Hawaii |
Just like last year, San Diego State has two statement opportunities against Pac-12 opponents. They are the same opponents as last year, except this time San Diego State must go to Stanford. That season opener will define the ceiling for the Aztecs in 2018. After that test, they return home for three non-conference home games. That includes the return game against Arizona State at mid-month.
A bye week closes out September, cleanly dividing non-conference play from the Mountain West schedule. Right out of the gate, San Diego State is tested with a road trip to Boise to face the defending MWC champions. The Aztecs also have to play Fresno State on the road in what will likely serve once again as the de facto division title game.
Rocky Long’s team has the potential to run the table and challenge not just for a New Year’s Six spot but a top-four position in the College Football Playoff. They could just as easily backslide further and miss out on the Mountain West title game a second straight year.
What’s next for San Diego State?
For San Diego State, the 2018 season can be boiled down to how they fare in three road trips. The first is the season opener against Stanford. If the Aztecs win on the Farm, they will vault up the AP Top 25 and into the national consciousness. The second test comes against Boise State in the conference opener. Win on the Smurf Turf and the Aztecs become the instant favorite in the league. Then all they’ll have to do is take down Fresno State on the road for the division crown.
Prediction: 11-3 (7-1 MWC)
A second straight takedown of Stanford is going to be mighty tough. More likely, the Aztecs will keep things close until Bryce Love puts it away in the second half. Beating Boise State is going to be tough as well, and San Diego State will likely lose to the Broncos both in the regular season and in the conference title game.
Next: Post-spring Top 25 projections
They’ll still get to 11 wins, but for the fourth straight year the Aztecs will also end with three losses. Once again, a major bowl will be close but just out of reach.