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Fast 40 countdown: San Diego State

August 18, 2011  |  By Benjamin Miraski

San Diego State

Last season: 9-4, 32nd in the MRI

The good: Ronnie Hillman, plain and simple. Hillman ran for more yards as a freshman (1532) than the previous "best back ever" at San Diego State, NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk. He is on track, assuming he doesn't do something crazy like jump to the NFL after two year, to break Faulk's all-time record at the school in just three seasons. He will have a lot of help this year as almost the entire offensive line returns. The one new face has 14 games of experience, so it isn't exactly like he is a baby.

In all the Aztecs return eight starters on offense and get both TCU and Boise State at home in the only season that will feature both in the Mountain West.

The bad: The defense coming back is hit and miss, which isn't necessarily terrible when your coach is a defensive minded guy. Good thing that Brady Hoke is gone then and Rocky Long takes his place. The silver lining for Long is that leading tackler Miles Burris returns. Burris recorded 9.5 sacks last year and 10.5 more tackles for loss, leading the conference.

The Aztecs are also missing the top three receivers from last season. While Hillman should be bowling through opponents, the passing game might take a little while to get going with so many targets getting used to more playing time.

Best name: Alston Umuolo

Trending: Down - It is difficult to imagine the Aztecs doing as well as last season, given the coaching change and the changes in personel on defense. The numbers from last season are mixed so it isn't like there is a clear path for the team (-6 on turnovers, but they lost all four games by a total of 15 points). I am counting on Hillman to have another nice season but the overall package to be down just a notch. San Diego State will probably not touch the Top 25 in the MRI this year.

Posted August 18, 2011 11:56 PM

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