2009 MMM San Jose State Spartans Preview
by umass09 on Jul 28, 2009 8:00 AM PDT
Email
Print
The Spartans will be entering 2009 with a big chip on their shoulder. Last season, they made some major improvements and were bowl eligible. Unfortunately, they were not invited to a bowl game and hope to make major impressions this year to reach their goal.
Coach Dick Tomey is returning seven starters on each side of the ball, so the Spartans should bring a lot of confidence into 2009. Kyle Reed returns for his senior season at quarterback where he will be under some pressure to perform better and more consistently in 2009. He only averaged 150 yards in the air last season and had a pass efficiency of 112.7. If Reed cannot sustain the starting job, look to Jordan La Secla of a possible replacement.
Brandon Rutley could be seeing a majority of the carries this year as he had a breakout rookie campaign. He finished with over 700 all-purpose yards and was the leading rusher for the Spartans last year. In addition to Rutley, Lamon Muldrow, a transfer from community college will also be battling for carries.
With their leading receiver from last year gone, the Spartans will look to an experienced receiving core to help out Reed. Kevin Jurovich looks to get back to his sophomore year form where he had over 1,000 yards receiving for nine touchdowns. Terrance Williams is the leading receiver who is returning, but the Spartans better find a few more targets for Reed in order to compliment the running game.
Duke Ihenacho leads the men in the middle on defense with five interceptions and 66 tackles last season. He will be in good company with Travis Jones, who led the team in tackles last season, and Justin Cole. Carl Ihenacho will be the stud up front and the secondary will be looking to some inexperienced, but talented corners to fill the void at the corners.
If the Spartans can continue their dominance on defense and get some solid productivity on offense, they could be a sleeper in the WAC. I see the Spartans having another 6-6 campaign, but being elected to a bowl.
2 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Prediction
Season should be a tough start, and SJSU could very easily end up going into conference play with a 1-3 record. Opening up the season AT USC of all places is not exactly optimal by any means… and Stanfurd has stepped it up in recent years, so they might end up being even tougher to beat this year. I hate that we always have to play in their lame stadium though… they should alternate the location every year… but i guess the pac10 is too cool (lame) to play away games vs Wac teams… UofUtah is coming to town as well.. and even though they are a rebuilding program, they almost always do well, and are usually a killer nonconf. opponent to pac10 and big12 teams early in the year… so that could end up being a loss very easily..
I think if SJSU can come out with a 1-3 record, then its going to be rough times trying to get automatic bowl consideration. They will have to only have 2 wac losses the rest of the season to go 7-5 and go to a bowl automatically… so this is by far the roughest schedule the team has had in years.
Must win games are Hawaii, Idaho, NMSU, and Nevada. If any of those home games are lost, then it will be rough to get to a bowl game. Nevada will be the toughest of these 4.
Fresno State, and Boise are both away games this year… and can almost be considered automatic losses. A win at Utah State is possible, but winning on the road in Louisiana is always tough…
Key wins are Nevada and Louisiana tech. If SJSU is able to come up with a win against Utah or Stanfurd, then this will be less of an issue, but they will still be the key home-away games that state needs to show up in for sure. The other 3 home games and even the trip to logan are all much easier wins.
by dingosean on Jul 30, 2009 3:44 AM PDT reply actions
Holy crap finally San Jose State winds up on SBN somewhere! Rejoice!
I’m not pleased with them traveling to USC to open the year at all. That’s like handing a free win to USC. I know the defense took a big hit with losing Gilbert and CBs Owens and Francies. What does their D look like for the new season? I’m hearing that Nevada will be a disappointment so I’m hoping SJSU can capitalize with a win over them.
I’m also really bummed about losing the Bill Walsh Memorial Game after this year. I know SJSU needs the cash from the Alabama date next season, but the Bill Walsh game was really special for both sides.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 2, 2009 1:22 AM PDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
