By Matthew Gonzalez — Reporter
Looks like the Spartans biggest rival this season isn’t any team in the Mountain West, but rather COVID-19.
Two consecutive resume-building games for the Spartans were stripped from their schedule.
The first game that was canceled due to COVID-19 was against rival Fresno State which would have given the Spartans not only the chance to defend the Valley Trophy but would have given the Spartans a marquee win for the season.
“I think everybody was really disappointed, everybody was crushed, but we certainly understand it,” said Spartans head coach Brent Brennan about the cancellation
Another reason this game was so crucial for the Spartans is that Fresno State has been so historically dominant in the West division of the Mountain West winning that side of the conference four of the last seven years.
While SJSU tries to stray away from praising the Bulldogs too much, that is still an impressive feat that head coach Brent Brennan looks to replicate.
“In order to make a move to winning consistently and playing for conference championships, we have to beat the people that have done it before, and Fresno has had an outstanding program for a really long time,” Brennan said.
The second canceled game was against a Boise State squad who has been known to be the undisputed champion of the Mountain West and rightfully so.
Boise State has had the best record in their side of the conference six out of the last nine seasons and have been a pillar of non-group of five conference success.
Yet again this matchup between 2020 heavyweights was taken away from the Spartans.
All of this means that assuming that the Spartans’ last two games do end up being played and won by SJSU, there will be no doubt that the Spartans can compete with every team in the conference.
The home stretch starts this Saturday against Hawaii who present a more balanced attack that the Spartans have yet to see this season.
Then the Spartans will *hopefully* be back in action against Nevada, a matchup that could possibly determine one of the teams playing in the Mountain West championship game.
A positive that can be taken away from this chaotic season is both cancellations have come from the Spartans’ opponents.
SJSU athletics director Marie Tuite says that she and her staff will do what they are required to do to keep the Spartans playing football safely.
“Everyone is making sacrifices, but it is made very clear that if we want to play and we want you to be safe here, it’s what we have to do to put our best product on the field.”
Follow Matthew on Twitter @Matthewmgonz01
