By Gio Gaxiola — Reporter
San Jose State football (2-0) will travel to Carson, Calif. on Friday to face off against rival San Diego State (2-0).
Although this series is considered a rivalry, SDSU has won the last seven meetings. Last year the Spartans dropped their homecoming game against the Aztecs, 27-17.
SDSU comes into this game with convincing wins against Utah State (38-7) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (34-6).
SJSU will be led by the reigning Mountain West Player of the Week, graduate quarterback Nick Starkel. His five touchdown performance against New Mexico has put the college football world on notice at the Spartans hot start.
The offensive line has played a big part in Starkel‘s success.
Senior center Trevor Robbins and company have been a brick wall up front. Their .5 sacks allowed per game puts them at No. 4 in the nation. SJSU is No. 2 in the nation in tackles for loss per game allowed with 3.0, trailing only the University of Marshall (2.6). The unsung heroes of this SJSU football team has been the O-line. They’ll need to keep playing well if the Spartans want to continue their winning ways.
Another key to the game will be the Spartans’ wide receiving core. Senior wide receiver Tre Walker and graduate wide receiver Bailey Gaither look to expose SDSU’s secondary, which has allowed just over 100 yards per game this season.
Walker needs just four more catches to move into No. 4 all time in total receptions at SJSU. He will try to pass local product Kevin Jurovich, who played for the Spartans from 2004 to 2009.
If the Spartans want to snap their losing streak against the Aztecs, they must stop the tandem Bell running backs of SDSU. Senior running back Greg Bell has ran for two touchdowns and an average of over 100 yards in the first two games of the year.
He has had help from junior running back Chance Bell, who has scored three touchdowns to start the year. SJSU’s defensive front, which has defended the run well so far, has a lot on their plate.
The game will be played on Friday at 6 p.m. You can watch the game on CBS Sports Network, or listen on the radio at KNEW-AM 960.
Follow Gio on Twitter @GaxiolaGio