The San Diego State Aztecs travel to Pullman with momentum and swagger after dismantling Stony Brook 42–0 in their opener, a performance that revealed a team firing on all cylinders under second-year head coach Sean Lewis. The offense, led by quarterback Jayden Denegal, operated with precision and balance as Denegal threw for 150 yards and a touchdown while completing passes to ten different receivers, a distribution that highlighted the depth and versatility of the Aztecs’ skill positions. Running back Lucky Sutton added a career-high 100 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, giving the Aztecs the physical presence they need to complement their passing game. What made the performance even more impressive was the defensive dominance, as SDSU held Stony Brook to under 100 total yards and forced punt after punt, suffocating the Seawolves with relentless pursuit, disciplined coverage, and strong tackling. That kind of defensive effort gives SDSU confidence that it can compete with anyone, including a Washington State team still finding its identity under a new coach. Strategically, the Aztecs will look to establish Sutton early to wear down the Cougars’ defensive front, then allow Denegal to build off play-action and take advantage of mismatches in the secondary.

Defensively, the mission will be to pressure Jaxon Potter and prevent him from finding rhythm, forcing Washington State into uncomfortable third-and-long situations and keeping the crowd from becoming a factor. Special teams execution, already clean in Week 1, will also be key, as SDSU prides itself on limiting mistakes and creating hidden yardage advantages. From a betting perspective, San Diego State is 1–0 ATS after its emphatic opener, and while skeptics point out the quality of opponent, the Aztecs’ ability to execute so thoroughly in all three phases cannot be dismissed. For Lewis and his team, this matchup is an opportunity to prove that their Week 1 dominance was not just the result of an overmatched FCS foe but a sign of growth and consistency in a program aiming to contend in the Mountain West. The keys will be avoiding turnovers, sticking to their physical style, and not allowing Washington State to dictate tempo or gain confidence at home. If SDSU executes its plan, continues to spread the ball effectively, and sustains the defensive intensity shown in Week 1, they have every chance to walk out of Pullman with a victory that would raise eyebrows nationally and cement them as a Group of Five team capable of competing with Power Five opponents in 2025.