The San Diego State football team is searching for answers during their bye week as their hopes for a bowl game remain up in the air.

Bowl Eligibility 

The reeling Aztecs (2-4, 0-2 Mountain West Conference) are in danger of not reaching bowl eligibility and will have to flip the script.

To be bowl eligible, the Aztecs must win at least six games and finish with a winning percentage of at least .500.

Last year, the Aztecs started the season 2-3 before going on to win five of their final seven games to earn a bowl bid. This year, the Scarlet and Black face an eerily similar situation.

Since 2010, SDSU has participated in a bowl game 12 of the last 13 seasons, including 10 straight appearances from 2010-2019.

Trends

It has been a struggle for the Aztecs offense to find a “go to” option in the passing game. Through six games, no Aztec player has recorded double digit receptions in a game. Only once has an Aztec player eclipsed 100 receiving yards and that was wide receiver Baylin Brooks, who finished with 117 receiving yards against Boise State.

Through six games, the Aztecs defense has not held a single opponent to under 10 points in a game. The Aztecs pass defense has also surrendered 250 passing yards or more in four of six games. They also had a performance that resulted in 189 passing yards given up to the Air Force Falcons on just seven pass attempts.

Stats

Through six games, the Aztecs are ranked 119th out of 130 teams in points per game (19.3 ppg). Defensively, the Aztecs are ranked 104th in points per game surrendered (30.8 ppg).

On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Jalen Mayden is top five in the conference in total passing yards (1064 yards) and completion percentage (61.1%). In the receiving department, Brooks has emerged as a big play threat for the Aztecs. Brooks is currently fifth in the conference in average yards per reception (17.4 yds).

The defensive unit has racked up eight interceptions, good for second most among 130  teams. A primarily man to man coverage team has resulted in five different players recording an interception, including three interceptions by safety Cedarious Barfield.

Cornerback Noah Tumblin leads the conference with eight passes defended. Opposite Tumblin, cornerback Dezjhon Malone has recorded six of his own passes defended, good for third in the conference.

Upcoming matchups

The Aztecs’ remaining slate of games are all against Mountain West Conference opponents. The Scarlet and Black will begin the second half of their season with a date at Hawaii. Hawaii will feature quarterback Brayden Schager, who is currently the conference leader in passing yards and touchdown passes.

The Aztecs will return to Snapdragon Stadium to host Nevada on Oct. 21 and Utah State for Homecoming on Nov. 4. Utah State is second in the conference in points per game (37 ppg). The Aztecs will also face the challenge of blocking Utah State linebacker MJ Tafisi Jr, who is second in total tackles in the conference (43 tackles).

For the final road games, the Aztecs will travel to Colorado State and San Jose State before wrapping up the regular season at home against No. 24 Fresno State on Nov. 25.

Fresno State is second in the conference in points per game allowed (17 ppg). The Aztecs will face the task of covering Fresno State wide receiver Erik Brooks, who is second in the conference in receiving yards (540 yards).

The Aztecs will regroup post bye week with a matchup against Hawaii at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.