San Diego State is looking to snap out of a two-year funk in its final season competing in the Mountain West Conference. The Aztecs will be heading to the Pac-12 beginning in the 2026 season. The past two years, San Diego State has gone 7-17 after a 3-9 record last year.
In year No. 2 under head coach Sean Lewis, San Diego State is looking for improvement, but whether it leads to a .500 or better season remains to be seen.
A closer look shows that SDSU was more competitive than last year’s record suggests. Three of the losses were by five or fewer points.
San Diego State Football’s Mountain West Title Betting Odds
San Diego State’s odds to win the Mountain West are +3500, via BetMGM.
San Diego State Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
- SDSU’s win total Over/Under is 4.5.
- The Under is at +140.
- The Over is at -165.
San Diego State Football’s 2025 Schedule
- 8/28 vs Stony Brook
- 9/6 at Washington State
- 9/20 vs California
- 9/27 at Northern Illinois
- 10/4 vs Colorado State
- 10/11 at Nevada
- 10/25 at Fresno State
- 11/1 vs Wyoming
- 11/8 at Hawaii
- 11/15 vs Boise State
- 11/22 vs San Jose State
- 11/29 at New Mexico
Bold indicates Mountain West Conference contests
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Key San Diego State Football Returners
2024 All-Mountain West 1st Team
DL Trey White
2nd Team
PK Gabriel Plascencia
3rd Team
OL Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli
S Eric Butler
CB Chris Johnson
LB Tano Letuli
WR Jordan Napier
San Diego State Season Preview
Last season, SDSU’s offense averaged just 21.3 points per game, which ranked No. 116 in the nation. The Aztecs are hoping to make some strides on that side of the ball.
Michigan Transfer Looks To Provide An Offensive Spark
San Diego State is hoping to get an offensive boost from 6-foot-5, 235-pound dual-threat quarterback Jayden Denegal, a transfer from Michigan.
Denegal was a reserve for Michigan’s 2023 national championship team, completing 4 of 5 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t see action last season at Michigan.
Denegal was listed as the No. 1 quarterback on San Diego State’s post spring practice unofficial depth chart.
SDSU’s Offensive Outlook
One of Denegal’s top targets should be Jordan Napier, who had 43 receptions for 440 yards and four touchdowns. Other expected key receivers are redshirt sophomore Jerry McClure, who saw limited action last year, and senior Myles Kitt-Denton, who had 25 receptions for 452 yards and five touchdowns last season at Northwestern State.
Lucky Sutton, who only had five carries for 35 yards in four games, is listed as No. 1 on the running back depth chart heading into fall camp.
Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli, an All-Mountain West honorable mention, leads the offensive line. He can play at center or guard. Christian Jones, at 6-8, 330 pounds, is an imposing player who can play guard or tackle. He had 12 starts last season and is listed as the top left guard heading into training camp.
Among key newcomers is Utah Tech transfer Bayo Kannike, who is listed as the No. 1 right tackle on the aforementioned depth chart.
All-conference second-team kicker Gabriel Plascencia returns after connecting on 13 of 14 field goals. He was named Mountain West Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year, voted on by media representatives who cover the conference.
Trey White Leads SDSU’s Experienced Defense
San Diego State’s defense, which allowed 29.6 points per game (97th nationally), should be improved with the return of the team’s top four tacklers.
Leading the way is junior EDGE Trey White, a first-team All-Mountain West selection who had 60 tackles, including 18.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. He was fourth in FBS last season in both sacks per game (1.04) and tackles for loss per game (1.54). White was named the Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Fellow EDGE Brady Nassar had 26 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss in 12 games.
Another experienced lineman is tackle Krishna Clay, who had 40 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss in 12 games.
Linebacker Tano Letuli led San Diego State with 70 tackles while recording one interception despite missing two games with a broken hand. He was on the All-Mountain West preseason team. Owen Chambliss, who had 31 tackles in seven games, should be a factor at linebacker as well
Cornerback Chris Johnson was second on the team with 67 tackles while adding four pass breakups and one interception. The third leading tackler was strong safety Dalesean Staley with 61. Safety Eric Butler contributed 49 tackles with three pass breakups and an interception, while free safety Deshawn McCuin had 28 tackles in 11 games.
San Diego State Football Season Prediction
I don’t like the Aztecs to challenge for the Mountain West title, but they should be an improved team. I predict San Diego State will win five games.
The defense, with all of its experience, should be improved. White is a true difference maker. If Denegal gives the offense a lift, then San Diego State should be much more dangerous than a year before.
But the schedule is difficult. San Diego State will hope to have momentum early because late in the season the Aztecs have back-to-back home games against two of the top Mountain West teams, Boise State and San Jose State.
