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  • No. 21 San Diego State Hosts Fresno State in the 60th Battle for the Old Oil Can

No. 21 San Diego State Hosts Fresno State in the 60th Battle for the Old Oil Can

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Football

Off to its best start since the 1975 team opened the season 8-0, No. 21/20 San Diego State (7-0; 3-0 MW) returns to play the first of four straight conference divisional games when the Aztecs play "host" to Fresno State (6-2; 3-1 MW) in the 60th meeting for the Battle for the Old Oil Can.

The game is a critical showdown between the teams currently at the top of the West Division standings of the Mountain West. The Aztecs (3-0) lead the West with Fresno State (3-1) a 1/2-game back and Nevada (2-1) a game behind.

San Diego State leads the all-time series with Fresno State, 30-25-4. Either SDSU (2015 and 2016) or Fresno State (2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018) represented the division in the conference championship game in six of the first seven years of the two-division format. Amazingly, the composite score of the 59 previous meetings is Fresno State 1,217, San Diego State 1,205. Since 2012, San Diego State and Fresno State have each won three Mountain West championships.

For the first time in school history, San Diego State moved up in the AP Top 25 Poll for a fourth consecutive week. The Aztecs debuted in the poll on No. 25 on Oct. 3, moved to No. 24 on Oct. 10, No. 22 on Oct. 17 and No. 21 on Oct. 24. If SDSU is ranked in the Oct. 31 poll, the Aztecs will tie the school record most consecutive polls ranked and most weeks ranked in a single season set in 1970. San Diego State is up to No. 21 in the AP Top 25 Poll and No. 20 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. This is SDSU's highest ranking in the AP poll since the Aztecs were No. 19 for three consecutive weeks during the 2017 campaign (final week of that run was Oct. 8).

This is the 28th week SDSU has appeared in the AP poll in school history and the 14th appearance since the start of the '16 campaign.  SDSU has made appearances in the AP Top 25 in four of the last six seasons (2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021) after experiencing a 341-poll drought (from Nov. 14, 1995 through Sept. 11, 2016).

San Diego State is one of nine undefeated teams in the nation (out of 130 FBS programs). Of the nine, the Aztecs are the only unbeaten team in the Mountain West and the only unbeaten program in the Pacific Time Zone. San Diego State ranks among the top 25 teams nationally in 19 NCAA statistical categories. Most impressive is that all three areas - offense, defense and special teams - are represented. Listing only the major categories, on defense the Aztecs are 2nd in third down percentage defense (26.3), 4th in rushing defense (79.9), 5th in total defense (279.4), 6th in team passing efficiency defense (102.79), 7th in scoring defense (15.7), 9th in team tackles for loss (6.9), 14th in passes intercepted (9), 16th in team sacks (3.00) and 24th turnovers gained (13). On offense, the Aztecs are 6th in fewest interceptions (2),12th in turnovers lost (6) and 25th in time of possession (31:40). On special teams, SDSU is 1st in net punting (46.89), 2nd in blocked punts (2), 6th in non offensive touchdowns (4), 19th in kickoff return average (26.77).

San Diego State has one or less turnovers in six straight games. The Aztecs have either been positive or even in the turnover category in all seven games this season.