By Matt Weiner (@mattweiner20) – Spear Reporter | Photo by Titus Wilkinson – The Spear
Ricky Delgado: @RickyDe70535587 “Can’t even talk abt the game itself right now. Regardless if we made it or not the Mountain West Screwed up having the contenders decided by code. We were the only conference yesterday who still didn’t know who was playing in our title game. Embarrassing.”
Richard de Give: @RichdeGive “As we used to say at high school basketball games ‘Nuts and bolts, nuts and bolts, we got screwed!'”
Riz: @rizzthewhiz “SJSU should be in unanimous they beat UNLV. Boise didn’t even play/them. So weak how they do this process. SJSU beat UNLV at their home Turf but yet reward them, had an extremely harder schedule than both. Yet no reward. SJSU is the strongest team by far right now.”
In the wake of computers denying SJSU football a Mountain West Championship appearance, it’s important to remember the stark difference between “suck” and “unfair.”
Does it suck that SJSU beat conference title contender UNLV in Vegas to cap off a 1-5 to 7-5 turnaround? Absolutely. There’s an aimless ‘what was the point of all that?’ feeling.
But is it unfair? No, it’s not.
SJSU conceded a 27-7 lead to Boise State, which eclipsed the Spartans by less than three points in the final rankings for the second title game spot. Now, would it be different if SJSU got screwed on a last-second call? Definitely. Look, there’s a price to be paid for surrendering 28 unanswered points. The bill was just put on layaway.
Jimthedude: @Jimthedude18729 “Possible that Brennan leaves this offseason to OSU or even SDSU?”
To SDSU? Little to no chance. Outside of Cal, the Aztecs entered the fall of 2023 with the most debt compared to any public institution. It’s also not much of an upgrade. SDSU just won its fewest games (four) since 2008 and could be trending down.
OSU, on the other hand, is a legitimate possibility. He has deep Corvallis ties and considering they’re without a conference, Brent Brennan could help them navigate a turbulent situation. Plus, he interviewed for Power Five jobs in 2020 (Arizona) and 2022 (Stanford).
I took a bigger look at this here.
Ricky Delgado: @RickyDe70535587 “At the end of the day the only thing that really sucks is we’re getting punished for playing good teams at the start of the season while unLv gets to play cupcakes outside of Michigan. I truly think we’re the best (and hottest) team in the league and we deserve a shot.”
Do you know what the real tragedy in the Mountain West Computer Gate is? SJSU would’ve off polished UNLV in a rematch.
The Rebels wouldn’t be able to stop SJSU running back Kairee Robinson, who burned them for 168 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns last Saturday. Though UNLV shaved a 37-17 SJSU fourth-quarter lead into a 37-31 deficit, it accomplished diddly squat on its final drive – just six plays and 15 yards.
Plus, SJSU would’ve hosted. I imagine CEFCU Stadium would’ve rocked to the point each fan got one of those mobile “earthquake alerts.”
Sidebar: I’ve never understood Earthquake alerts. Did the inventors of it think, ‘That oughta scare those tectonic plates out of causing such a big raucous?’ And if there’s a big Earthquake (God forbid) there’s this thing called THE INTERNET and instant messaging. I can assure you, people will be alerted. Earthquakes aren’t known for their lack of civic engagement.
SierraSpartan: @SierraSpartan “There is that, no doubt. I hope the @SJSUAthletics braintrust sees this and lets the lesson really burn in.”
This response is in relation to SJSU’s heavy non-conference schedule: at USC, No. 21 Oregon State and at Toledo (MAC title contender).
For what it’s worth, next year’s non-conference slate is much better: Sacramento State (home), Kennesaw State (home), Washington State (away) and Stanford (home).
I think the most ideal situation is facing two FCS schools, a random Group of Five school and a bottom-tier SEC school. In 2019, SJSU collected a $1.5 million check after beating Arkansas and a $1.9 million one two years later after nearly upending Auburn.
HollywoodinSJ: @HollywoodinSJ “@Mattweiner20 What’s the QB situation like for next year? What will be the strengths & weaknesses of the roster? Schedule isn’t as tough so perhaps we can win a title next year??”
The schedule might not be as tough, but will SJSU be as good? I ask because Jay Butterfield, the presumed heir to quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, hasn’t started since 2019 – his senior year at Liberty High School.
Will the Spartans hit the portal to find the next Cordeiro or Nick Starkel? A veteran addition has led to three bowl appearances in four years, a program-first. Or will the portal help SJSU address its holes in the offensive line or secondary?
At least SJSU can rest assured its wide receiving core needs no help. Spartan Nation should be stoked about the Justin Lockhart and Nick Nash duo next year and the linebacker one-two punch of Bryun Parham and Jordan Pollard, who lead the team in tackles with 94 and 73, respectively.
Barbara k: @Manaiange_ “Las Vegas must have paid them cuz how you got 2 college championships & the Super Bowl this year??? They need to make up for the money the Raiders ain’t making them.”
I’ve pointed to USC’s downfall as a key component for SJSU’s Mountain West title game absence … but could it be the Raiders? I mean, the Mountain West’s brand likely gains more exposure with the game being in Las Vegas rather than San Jose.
Obviously, I’m joking and this didn’t factor into the computer rankings system, but I’ll take the bait on any ‘sports are rigged for ratings’ conspiracy theory.
Ricky Delgado: @RickyDe70535587 “On a positive note, super proud of the guys on what they were able to accomplish this year. This football program as a whole is on the rise and it looks like we are gonna be able to sustain a competitive, winning program. I like how we’re disappointed at having to “settle” (1/2).
Ricky Delgado: @RickyDe70535587 “For bowl games now. SJSU has the resources of fielding MW championship caliber teams year in and year out and this year should be proof that even with a hard schedule it’s possible. Let’s get some fans in the building next year and look forward to this product for years to come.” (2/2)
And we wrap up the final regular-season mailbag with a subtle reminder that things could be much worse. In these trying times, remember the infamous Spartans4Sanity; A coalition of SJSU academics who tried to axe the football program in the early-to-mid 2000s, alleging the program’s poor performance was hemorrhaging the school’s budget.
A lot can happen – scratch that – has happened in two decades.