2025-11-11 13:00

As I sit here watching the San Diego Aztecs football team prepare for their upcoming season, I can't help but reflect on what it takes to transform a good football program into a truly great one. Having followed college football for over two decades and analyzed countless team strategies, I've come to recognize certain patterns that separate winning programs from the rest. The Aztecs have shown flashes of brilliance in recent years, but consistency has been their Achilles' heel. If they want to make this season truly special, there are five key areas where they need to excel, and I'm convinced that with the right approach, they can absolutely, if possible, achieve something remarkable this year.

First and foremost, let's talk about offensive innovation. The Aztecs have traditionally relied on a ground-and-pound approach, which worked well enough in the Mountain West Conference, but the landscape has changed dramatically. Last season, they averaged just 24.3 points per game, which placed them in the bottom third of FBS programs. That simply won't cut it if they want to compete for a conference championship. What I'd love to see is more creative play-calling that leverages their quarterback's mobility while incorporating more RPO elements. I've always believed that the most successful college offenses are those that can keep defenses guessing, and with the talent they have at skill positions, there's no reason they can't implement a more dynamic system. The coaching staff needs to be willing to adapt, and from what I've observed in spring practices, they're moving in that direction, though perhaps not as aggressively as I'd prefer.

Defensively, the Aztecs have been solid but not spectacular, and in today's college football, being merely solid won't get you where you want to go. Their pass defense ranked 45th nationally last season, allowing 225 yards per game through the air. While that's not terrible, it's not championship-caliber either. What I think they need is more aggressive play-calling on obvious passing downs. I've noticed they tend to play prevent defense too early in games, which often allows opponents to mount comebacks. Personally, I'd rather see them blitz more frequently on third-and-long situations, even if it means occasionally giving up big plays. The reward outweighs the risk in my view, especially considering their talented secondary should be able to handle one-on-one coverage situations.

Special teams is an area where the Aztecs could gain a significant competitive advantage, yet it often feels like an afterthought. Their field goal percentage last season was just 72%, which ranked 78th in the country. In close games, those missed kicks can be the difference between a winning season and a disappointing one. I remember watching their game against Utah State last October where a missed 38-yard field goal cost them the game in overtime. That's the kind of moment that can define a season, and it's why I believe they need to invest more resources into their special teams unit. Bringing in a dedicated special teams coordinator would be a smart move, though I understand the budget constraints might make this challenging.

Player development is another crucial piece of the puzzle. The Aztecs have done reasonably well recruiting three-star prospects, but where they've sometimes fallen short is in developing those players into consistent performers. Looking at their roster, I count at least eight players who showed tremendous potential as freshmen but haven't progressed as expected. This is where the coaching staff needs to excel - identifying players' strengths and putting them in positions to succeed. I've always been a firm believer that development matters more than raw talent in college football, and if the Aztecs can improve their player development program, they could absolutely, if possible, outperform their recruiting rankings.

Finally, there's the mental aspect of the game - something that doesn't show up in statistics but can make all the difference. The Aztecs have struggled in road games over the past two seasons, posting just a 4-8 record away from home. That suggests a mental toughness issue that needs to be addressed. From my perspective, teams that travel well typically have strong leadership from veteran players and a coaching staff that prepares them for hostile environments. Implementing more situational practice scenarios and bringing in sports psychologists could help, though I know some traditionalists might scoff at that idea. Still, in modern college football, every edge counts.

As the season approaches, I'm cautiously optimistic about the Aztecs' chances. They have the talent to compete at a high level, but talent alone won't get them where they want to go. It will come down to execution in these key areas and the coaching staff's willingness to adapt and innovate. If they can put all these pieces together, I genuinely believe they could win 9 or even 10 games this season, which would be their best performance in nearly a decade. The foundation is there - now it's about building upon it and seizing the opportunity that lies ahead. The Mountain West Conference is there for the taking, and with the right approach, the Aztecs could absolutely, if possible, make this a season to remember.