San Jose State is now alone in first place in the Western Athletic Conference following its win against Utah State and Nevada's loss to New Mexico State this weekend.
This isn't to say the Wolf Pack aren't dangerous, but the Spartans have gained an advantage with Nevada and Fresno State both notching losses early in conference play. Yes, Boise State is still undefeated in conference play, and are still the odds-on favorite to win the WAC.
For now, San Jose State, for the first time probably in the team's 12 year time in the WAC, is the conference pacesetter. The Spartans still have a tough road ahead of them.
The San Jose State will play conference party crasher New Mexico State next weekend, who are suddenly 3-2 to open up the season. For the past three years, the Aggies had serves as one of many dogs in the conference.
Now, with quarterback Chase Holbrook at the helm, the offense is among the nation's best. The problem? New Mexico State's defense is still among the nation's worst. Giving up 45 points to anyone, win or lose, is shameful.
San Jose State is the reverse of New Mexico State, with one of the top-ranked defenses in the nation and toiling in the bottom quarter of teams for total offense.
The other knock against the Aggies comes from its schedule. New Mexico State has defeated lowly Texas-El Paso, FCS Alcorn State, and a Nevada team that has proven it can't actually stop anyone on the defensive side of the ball.
This is true across the WAC among its middling teams. Nevada's three wins this season are unimpressive for a team expected to compete for a bowl bid (FCS Grambling State, lowly Nevada-Las Vegas, and conference cupcake Idaho.) Louisiana Tech has had different problems, but with the same result - The Bulldogs have their signature win this season (BCS opponent Mississippi State, who defeated 13-ranked Vanderbilt this weekend), but have had problems against better competition this season.
San Jose State has a golden opportunity to graduate into the class of the division with Fresno, Hawaii, and Nevada all picking up conference losses early in conference play. The Spartans have to avoid a bad in-conference loss this season, and this includes New Mexico State. The Spartans offense is bad, but not that bad.
New Mexico State's offense is good, but not that good. It's defense is bad, and yes, it is that bad. Expect this match up to be an interesting one.
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