San Diego State Aztecs

2005 Season Summary

The San Diego State Aztec football program has long been considered a "sleeping giant" but it would be wiser to ask, "Why" as the Aztecs, for whatever reason, are perennial losers that are touted as ready to break out but, in the end, never quite make it.

Touted as read to break out time and again

The reason for the apathy amongst the fan base in San Diego extends far beyond the city's beautiful weather and numerous outdoor recreation activities. The public has also grown leery of this program being touted as ready to break out time and time again only to see those words fail to become reality.

2005 was a must bowl season

After three years on the job head coach Tom Craft had a record of 14-22 straight up. After a rookie season in which he went 4-9 straight up his 2003 team improved to 6-6 straight up and 6-4 against the spread and included a near miss win at Ohio State. His 2004 team backslid though to a 4-7 straight up and 4-6 against the spread record. Craft, a San Diego State alum and ex-player, had a new boss/AD for 2005 and a stadium that was more empty than full, thus, 2005 was a must win bowl season if he wanted to see a fifth season at his alma mater.

As usual, Craft faced a tough non conference schedule that he was vocal about wanting changed in the future as he felt that it was unrealistic to expect bowls when getting his brains beat out by national powerhouses in non conference action.

Aztecs quickly lost appeal

San Diego State opened the 2005 campaign with a tough assignment at home against up and coming UCLA as 10-point dogs. The Bruins had the Aztecs number over the years and this did not change as UCLA took a 44-21 win.

In their next game at Air Force as 7.5-point dogs, the Aztecs were run right over by the Falcons in a 29-41 loss that quickly turned the season into a panic as SDSU was 0-2 and seemingly without a defense. The Aztecs quickly lost appeal with the mainstream gambling public.

Contrarian Bargain hunters scored

With the mainstream gambling public wanting nothing to do with them, San Diego State was a hefty 27.5-point dog at Ohio State and covered with a 6-27 loss. They next came home to face one of the weakest programs in the country, San Jose State, and won a 52-21 decision as a 14-point chalk. This was followed up with another home game against BYU and the Aztecs won their third game in a row to reach the .500 mark with a 31-10 triumph as 3-point chalks as contrarian bargain hunters scored with three straight covers by the unwanted Aztecs.

Attracted attention

With three consecutive wins and covers under their belts SDSU headed off to Las Vegas to meet the struggling Rebels of UNLV. SDSU was a whopping 10-point road dog as they again attracted attention of mainstream gamblers. They lost in an upset, however, 10-13 in a game that likely cost Craft his job. This was followed up with a surprising 28-19 upset win at Utah as 9.5-point dogs as the Aztecs continued to prove to be a difficult read. At home the following week against New Mexico as 3-point chalks, SDSU was blown out 24-47 as the roller coaster ride continued.

More bargains on the board

Once again unwanted by the masses, SDSU hosted TCU as a 6.5-point home dog and lost a tough 20-23 decision in a cover. More bargains were on the board as at Colorado State, they surprised yet again as 8-point dogs in a 30-10 win and cover. In the home finale against Wyoming as 7-point chalks, SDSU got their third consecutive cover with a 34-21 win to get within one game of .500 as they traveled to Hawaii for the season finale against the Warrriors. As 1.5-point dogs, however, the Aztecs failed to avoid a losing season in a 38-49 loss as Craft was fired right afterwards to complete another year of underachievement at SDSU.