Group of Five: UCF, Boise State headline 2018 preseason power rankings

The big question entering the season for San Diego State is whether they can luck into a third straight sublime 2000-yard rusher in the backfield. When Donnel Pumphrey graduated as the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher in 2016, it raised question marks about whether the two-time Mountain West champion would remain relevant.

The Aztecs failed to win the MWC crown for a third straight year, but Rashaad Penny proved himself to be even more electric than his predecessor. Finishing 2017 as one of the top five backs in the country, Penny earned himself a first-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. That opens the door for Juwan Washington to get his own chance at a star turn this season.

Washington has been a solid performer in relief throughout his career, and with quarterback Christian Chapman back as well the Aztecs should be fine on offense. Receiver Micah Holder and tight end David Wells are gone, but the bigger losses are on defense. A group that finished among the top 20 defenses in the FBS last year loses five starters, and maintaining that level of dominance could prove tough with a slew of new personnel.

San Diego State starts the year with a trip north, hoping to take down Stanford for a second year in a row. If the Aztecs beat the Cardinal, they also take on Arizona State in another Pac-12 showdown. With Boise State on the road this year as well, the Aztecs have a strong enough schedule that they would be in the Group of Five mix if they keep winning.