San Diego State Football Returns to Bowl Season After Impressive Win

San Diego State University’s football team has secured a bowl game invitation for the first time since 2022. The Aztecs achieved this milestone with a decisive 23-0 victory against Fresno State on Saturday, marking their sixth win of the season. With a current record of 6-1 and a perfect 3-0 in the Mountain West Conference, the Aztecs are enjoying a remarkable turnaround under second-year head coach Sean Lewis.

This resurgence has seen San Diego State appear in bowl projections for several weeks. As the postseason approaches, various projections have emerged, reflecting the evolving landscape of college football as teams vie for postseason spots. Notably, CBS Sports continues to predict that the Aztecs will compete in the Los Angeles Bowl on December 13, where they could face off against Washington, a former Pac-12 member now competing in the Big Ten.

As the regular season progresses, the upcoming matchup against Boise State—scheduled for November 15 at Snapdragon Stadium—will be crucial. The Broncos, currently boasting a flawless 4-0 record in the Mountain West, pose a significant challenge. They will also be looking to solidify their own postseason aspirations when they host Fresno State this Saturday, while San Diego State faces Wyoming in their Homecoming game.

San Diego State’s turnaround is particularly noteworthy given their struggles last season, where they finished with a 3-9 overall record and lost their final six games. The team had previously enjoyed a streak of ten consecutive bowl appearances from 2010 to 2019, making subsequent bowl games in 2021 and 2022 before missing the postseason last year.

Several bowl projections have emerged for San Diego State, including:

Los Angeles Bowl, December 13: San Diego State vs. Washington
This matchup would provide an easy travel option for Aztecs fans, allowing them to support their team at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

Frisco Bowl, December 23: San Diego State vs. Washington State
USA Today continues to project a rematch against Washington State, who defeated the Aztecs earlier in the season.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, December 22: San Diego State vs. Ohio
This projection has shifted from an earlier prediction of a matchup against Washington State, highlighting the fluid nature of bowl game projections.

First Responder Bowl, December 24: San Diego State vs. Miami (Ohio)
This would mark the first bowl game encounter between these two teams, with the game set to take place in Dallas.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, December 22: San Diego State vs. Central Michigan
Earlier projections suggested a matchup against Central Michigan in the Arizona Bowl, but recent analyses indicate a potential pairing with Buffalo instead.

Mountain West Connection has speculated on the possibility of the Aztecs playing in the LA Bowl as Mountain West champions, while others have predicted a trip to the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix, although specific opponents are yet to be determined.

As the Aztecs continue their season, the anticipation surrounding their postseason prospects is palpable, with fans eager to see how the remainder of the schedule unfolds. The upcoming weeks will undoubtedly clarify San Diego State’s standing in the college football landscape, as they aim to build on their impressive 2023 campaign.