New Mexico State at San Diego State 9/4/21 - NCAA Football Picks & Predictions

The New Mexico State Aggies visit Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on Saturday to play the San Diego State Aztecs. New Mexico State opened its 2021 regular season with a 30-3 loss to the Utah Miners on Saturday. New Mexico State quarterback Jonah Johnson was held to just 82 yards passing and running back Juwaun Price rushed for just 37 yards. The Aggies gained a total of only 190 yards of total offense while allowing 452 yards to UTEP.

Johan Johnson has passed for 82 yards, completing eight of 24 passes. The leading rusher for New Mexico State is Juwaun Price with 37 yards, while O’Maury Samuels has 28 yards. The leading receiver is Dominic Gicinto with 31 yards. On defense, Trevor Brohard is the leading tackler with 11, while Joshua Ferguson has eight.

San Diego State opens its regular season on Saturday when it hosts New Mexico State. Last season the Aztecs were 4-4 overall and 4-2 in the Mountain West Conference. Mississippi State transfer Jalen Mayden is expected to start at quarterback but will share time with Lucas Johnson and Jordan Brookshire. Tyrell Shavers also transferred from Mississippi State and will be one of the leading receivers for San Diego State, while tight end Daniel Bellinger returns following a strong 2020 season. The running attack will be led by Chance Bell and Greg Bell.

On defense, San Diego State returns from a season in which the Aztecs were third overall in total defense allowing only 18 points and 284 yards per game. The defensive secondary lost a pair of safeties, but Trenton Thompson returns and will start at one safety, while Michael Shawcroft returns to anchor a linebackers unit on the outside but can also play inside. Caden McDonald had 4.5 sacks last season from his linebacker spot and will continue to be a nemesis for opposing pass protectors.