Heading into their September 24 gridiron match-up at Michigan (4-0), the SDSU Aztecs knew that they would need to play an error-free, solid physical football to have a shot at pulling an upset over the nation’s 22nd ranked team. What they got instead was a disappointing error-filled performance and a 28-7 drubbing administered by their former coach Brady Hoke and his Wolverines.

   Fortunately for the Aztecs (3-1), the game will not count in the Mountain West Conference race and after their bye week, they will get another opportunity to knock off a nationally ranked team. On October 8, the Aztecs will host 20th ranked TCU. In between now and then they have a lot of work to do.

   On a day when they no doubt wanted to impress their former coach and take advantage of the opportunity to showcase their skills in one of the largest and most historic stadiums in college football, almost nothing went right.

   Derailed by an uncharacteristically poor passing performance from quarterback Ryan Lindley (23 of 48 for 253 yards and 0 touchdowns) and two costly fumbles by the usually reliable Ronnie Hillman (21 carries 109 yards), the offense went nowhere. Any chance that the Aztecs had was based upon a game plan in which the Aztecs would control the ball with long, sustained drives and keep it away from Michigan QB Denard Robinson. What they got instead were many stalled drives and lots of leg work from their punter, Brian Stahovich.

   Defensively, they knew they had to contain Robinson, Michigan’s run oriented quarterback. Robinson is to college football what Michael Vick is to pro football: fast, elusive and slippery. Robinson didn’t pass often (8 of 17 for 93 yards). He didn’t need to. He was a one man wrecking crew dancing through the Aztec defense for 200 yards on 21 carries. His three first- half touchdowns of one, five, and 53 yards put the game pretty much out of reach by halftime.

   Lindley connected with budding star wide receiver Colin Lockett for a 16-yard touchdown in the third quarter to avoid a shutout and draw within two touchdowns at 21-7, but the Wolverines answered with a fourth period score of their own to make the final 28-7.

   Considering how long they were forced to stay on the field and their highly ranked opponent, the Aztec defense did reasonably well. Larry Parker pilfered his third interception in the last two weeks and all-league linebacker Miles Burris led the team with seven tackles. 

   After losing a 50-48 scoring fest to undefeated Baylor in their opener, TCU has convincingly defeated their last three opponents. While SDSU has not beaten TCU in six tries, they nearly pulled off a huge upset last November falling 40-35 in a road nail biter. The Horned Frogs (where in the world did they come up with that name?) graduated a lot of starters from last year’s team. Young, but talented TCU is led by their highly accurate sophomore quarterback Casey Pachall. He likes to hook up with Josh Boyce and speedy Skye Dawson. Running back James Waymon is averaging 8.6 yards per carry while Matthew Tucker (5.0 y.p.c.) is leading the team in carries. Their defense is solid, but not exceptional. It should be a good test for Lindley & Co.