SDSU Picked Second in Preseason Mountain West Poll

The San Diego State football team has been picked to finish second in the West Division of the Mountain West preseason vote by media representatives who cover the conference, the league announced Wednesday at the annual league media days in Las Vegas. The West Division winner has won four of the past seven MW Championships, including the Aztecs in both 2015 and 2016.

SDSU received 148 points with eight first-place votes, trailing only Fresno State's 160 points and 20 first-place votes. San Diego State won the West Division last year before falling to Utah State in the MW Championship game. The Aztecs have now been picked first or second in nine of the 10 years of division play (since 2013). San José State is third in the West Division with 105 points, followed by Nevada (66), UNLV (58) and Hawai'i (51).

Boise State, meanwhile, was picked to win the Mountain Division for the 10th consecutive season. The Broncos, who have made five MW Championship games, received 151 points and 14 first-place votes. Air Force (136) and Utah State (122) garnered 10 and three first-place votes, respectively, while Colorado State (90) had the other first-place vote in the Mountain Division. Wyoming (60) and New Mexico (29) also had votes.

SDSU (12-2) finished with a school-record 12 victories last season, one of only 10 programs with at least 12 wins. Only four teams had more victories than San Diego State, including national champion Georgia, and CFP teams Alabama and Cincinnati. The Aztecs played five teams who reached double-digit victories in 2021, securing wins over Pac-12 Champion/Rose Bowl participant Utah (10-4), UTSA (12-2) and Air Force (10-3).

SDSU, which played all 14 of its games away from its own market, including eight "home games" two hours from campus at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, finished the 2021 season ranked 25th in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll. It was the third time in program history San Diego State made the final AP Top 25 poll (also 1977 (16th) and 2016 (25th)). The Aztecs were also ranked in every CFP poll in 2021.

SDSU opens Snapdragon Stadium against Arizona on Sept. 3, and also has home games against Idaho State (Sept. 10), Toledo (Sept. 24), Hawai'i (Oct. 8), UNLV (Nov. 5), San Jose State (Nov. 12) and Air Force (Nov. 26). The Aztec contest against UNLV will be SDSU's annual homecoming game.

San Diego State football season tickets are still on sale. Many options are available and a virtual 3D seat map of Snapdragon Stadium allows fans to take a tour of the seats before reserving season tickets. Members will have several benefits such as priority access to on-site parking and the flexibility to resell or donate any games they're unable to attend. For season-ticket information or to secure tickets, submit a Ticket Interest Form, call (619) 283-7378 or email [email protected].  

Aztec football single-game tickets for all seven 2022 Aztec home games for the inaugural season at Snapdragon Stadium will go on sale in August. As an exclusive member benefit, football season-ticket holders can purchase the single-game tickets on Aug. 8, while all remaining Aztec Club members can purchase on Aug. 12. Tickets for the general public will be available on Aug. 15.

Aztec football parking will soon be available on a season basis for as low as $175 (or $25 per game). Any remaining passes will be offered for single-game purchase beginning Aug. 8

Student tickets will once again be free and can be claimed on a first-come, first-serve basis the week of each home game. More information for student tickets can be found at GoAztecs.com/StudentTickets.

The preseason all-MW team is scheduled to be released on Thursday.

Notes: SDSU's 148 points are its most in the preseason poll since having 168 in 2017...San Diego State, which averaged a predicted finish of 6.5 from 2005-12, has ended up at or better than its predicted finish in 10 of the last 13 seasons and 13 times over the past 17 years…The Aztecs have won two of the last seven Mountain West titles (2015 and 2016) and three of the past 10 (also 2012)…Three of the four previous times Brady Hoke was head coach, SDSU finished above its preseason selection (finished seventh in 2009 after being picked eighth, finished tied for third in 2010 after being picked sixth and finished first in the West Division last year after being picked third).

2022 Mountain West Preseason Poll
West Division
1. Fresno State (20) - 160
2. San Diego State (8) - 148
3. San José State - 105
4. Nevada - 66
5. UNLV - 58
6. Hawai'i - 51  

Mountain Division
1. Boise State (14) - 151
2. Air Force (10) - 136
3. Utah State (3) - 122
4. Colorado State (1) - 90
5. Wyoming - 60
6. New Mexico - 29