Poinsettia Bowl

San Diego State vs. Navy

   At first glance, you would think that this game was kind of an unfair advantage in favor of the Aztecs.  Not only is the game being played in San Diego, but in SDSU's home stadium as well.  But then when it is brought up that there is quite a Navy presence in the area, that theory is thrown out the window.

   Anyway, back to football.  Coach Brady Hoke has led an incredible turnaround of the San Diego State program.  Just last season, the team was 4-8.  The Aztecs are playing in a bowl game for the first time since 1998, which coincidentally was the last time they had a winning record.  The offense is led by quarterback Ryan Lindley, who led the Mountain West with 3,554 yards passing and 26 touchdowns, tied with TCU's Andy Dalton for most in the conference.  And Lindley has two targets he loves in Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson.  Brown has 61 catches for 1,187 yards and nine touchdowns, while Sampson has 65 grabs for 1,175 yards and eight scores.  The running game isn't that shabby either, as it's led by Ronnie Hillman, who has over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

   As what has seemed like it has always been, the triple option is the bread and butter of the Navy offense.  As a team, the Midshipmen have rushed for nearly 3,500 yards and 36 touchdowns, which comes out to 289 rushing yards per game, which ranks fifth nationally.  Quarterback Ricky Dobbs is the catalyst of the offense, having run for 860 yards and 13 touchdowns.  Alexander Teich is second on the team with 825 yards and five touchdowns.  Dobbs has also thrown for 1,380 yards and 12 touchdowns.