SCENE SETTER (as of Sunday, Oct. 10)
* Off to just its second 5-0 start in the last 46 seasons and looking to become bowl eligible for a 12th consecutive season, No. 24/24 San Diego State travels north to face defending Mountain West champion San José State in a Friday night game.
* San Diego State is one of 13 undefeated teams in the nation (out of 130 FBS programs). Of the 13, the Aztecs are the only unbeaten team in the Mountain Wes and the only unbeaten program in the Pacific Time Zone.
* The Aztecs have been dominant to date with three of their five victories coming by at least 18 points. San Diego State owns a season scoring margin of +95 (+19.0 ppg). Including only games against FBS opponents this season, the Aztecs are tied for 10th nationally in scoring margin.
* The last time the Aztecs opened 5-0 and had a scoring margin of at least +95 was 1975 (+118).
* San Diego State moves to No. 24 in the AP Top 25 Poll and makes its season debut in the coaches poll at No. 24. This matches the highest AP ranking for the Aztecs since a No. 19 position on Oct. 8, 2017. This is the 26th week SDSU has appeared in the AP poll in school history and the 12th appearance since the start of the 2016 campaign.
* SDSU has made appearances in the AP Top 25 in four of the last six seasons (2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021) after experiencing a 341-poll drought (from Nov. 14, 1995 through Sept. 11, 2016).
* San Diego State ranks among the top 20 teams nationally in 17 NCAA statistical categories. Most impressive is that all three areas - offense (6), defense (9) and special teams (2)- are represented. Listing only the major categories, on defense the Aztecs are 2nd in rushing defense (50.0), 2nd in tackles for loss (9.0), 6th in passing efficiency defense (105.76), 7th in total defense (270.4), 8th in sacks (3.60), 9th in red zone defense (66.7), 16th in scoring defense (16.6) and 19th in interceptions (7). On offense, the Aztecs are 10th in rushing offense (244.4), 11th in fewest interceptions (2), 17th in turnovers lost (5), 18th in sacks allowed (1.20) and 20th in time of possession (32:33). On special teams, SDSU is 2nd in blocked punts (3), 5th in net punting (44.76) and, according to ESPN efficiencies, the Aztecs special teams rank fourth nationally as a unit.
* Junior punter/placekicker Matt Araiza continues to lead the nation in punting with a 54.1-yard average. Araiza not only leads the nation in punt average, he is also 3.08 yards ahead of NCAA record holder Braden Mann of Texas A&M set in 2018 at 50.98. Araiza's current advantage over the record pace is wide enough that the Aztec junior could have consecutive 0-yard punts, he would be just under at 50.97 right now.
* Junior defensive end Cameron Thomas has the sixth best defensive rating in the nation (per PFF) among players with 250 snaps. He has 11 quarterback hits (2nd nationally), and leads the team in tackles for loss (eight) and quarterback hurries (10).
* Senior left tackle Zachary Thomas ranks 12th nationally among tackles in Pro Football Focus blocking grades. In 337 snaps this season, Thomas has allowed no sacks, no QB hits and has not committed a penalty.
No. 24/24 Football Heads to San Jose State
