No. 24 North Carolina | Top 25
No. 25: San Diego State
Last Season: 11-3 (8-0 Mountain West West)
For the Aztecs, a bad start is no reason to panic. Last season they opened 1 -- 3 before winning the last 10 games, and this year they face a tough test out of the gate against Cal and are a toss-up on the road at Northern Illinois. They'll rely heavily on their defense, which allowed just 16.4 points per game last year. On offense, RB Donnel Pumphrey turned down the NFL to keep playing with the Aztecs and will break almost all of Marshall Faulk's career records if he stays healthy. Don't be surprised to see San Diego State in the Mountain West championship game.
San Diego State's chances to win each game
09.03 vs. UNH: 96.3%
09.10 vs. Cal: 44.7%
09.17 @ Northern Illinois: 48.7%
10.01 @ South Alabama: 88.6%
10.08 vs. UNLV: 86.7%
10.14 @ Fresno State: 77.3%
10.21 vs. San Jose State: 69.6%
10.28 @ Utah State: 60.1%
11.05 vs. Hawaii: 94.2%
11.12 @ Nevada: 63.2%
11.19 @ Wyoming: 77.0%
11.26 vs. Colorado State: 84.3%
If the Aztecs get by Cal in Week 2, it'll be fair to wonder if an undefeated regular-season is attainable (though 10-2 is more realistic) behind the best running back most of the country has never heard of: Donnel Pumphrey. -- Kyle Bonagura
The Aztecs, winners of 10 straight, only face one Power 5 opponent, and it's a home game against Cal in Week 2. They also miss Boise State on the regular-season schedule. If they get through the Golden Bears, don't be surprised to see a 12-0 run en route to the conference title game. -- Kevin Gemmell
The Aztecs' schedule sets up for a nice run at a 12-0 season. With Cal in week 2 and no scent of Boise State, San Diego State should be enjoying a Mountain West title and a nice bowl trip. -- Chantel Jennings
The Aztecs won 10 straight games to finish 2015, and there's reason to believe they can carry success over into 2015 with 14 starters returning, including star running back Donnel Pumphrey. A 10-2 finish and repeat Mountain West title isn't out of the realm of possibility here. -- David Lombardi
With 14 starters back from a team that went a very quiet 11-3 in 2015, the Aztecs and Pumphrey could make some noise in the Mountain West this fall. How loud that noise will become hinges on beating California at home on Sept. 10, which could clear the way for a 12-0 season. -- Ted Miller