After beginning the season at 1-3, The San Diego State Aztecs hope to turn things around in October. SDSU will open the month at home against New Mexico State (2-2). The Aztecs are 6-1-1 against the Aggies, including a 48-3 Aztecs win the last time they faced off back in 1975. Coach Brady Hoke hopes to evaluate the progress of his team in Saturday’s game

"We have to do a better job of coaching, and they have to do a better job of executing the plan," Head Coach Brady Hoke told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "That's the great thing about being a team. Everyone is accountable."

A bright spot so far this season has been Wide Receiver Vincent Brown who is No. 3 in the nation in receiving yards per game with an average of 136.8. Adding a rushing attack to Brown’s productivity could lend to more points on the board for SDSU.

The key for the Aztecs this week will be to duplicate their effort in the opening quarter against UCLA a few weeks ago when they jumped out to an early 14-3 lead. By getting a couple of early scores, it will allow the Aztecs offense to not jettison the run game in the second half and play a more ball control type offense.

On the defensive side of the ball, SDSU also needs improvement. In the first four weeks, the Aztecs have given up an average of 28 points per game and getting beat both through the air and on the ground. However, many of the points allowed were a result from a plethora of turnovers made by the offense this season.

After this week’s match-up against New Mexico State, SDSU will have a well-timed bye week before their showdown against 20^th ranked BYU on 10/17. Although BYU will be their toughest opponent for the month, it will be a home game. The Aztecs will then go on the road to face Colorado State on 10/24 and finish the month at home against a winless New Mexico team.

If the Aztecs play tough football for the next 4 weeks, they have a real opportunity to even their record at 4-4.