SAN JOSE STATE FOOTBALL: 2013 PRE-SEASON REPORT CARD

PUBLICATION ORDER: Sections of the Pre-Season Report Card are published in the following order: (1) Schedule; (2) Coaching; (3) Momentum (4) Discipline On The Field (i.e. penalties); (5) Turnovers; (6) Special Teams; (7) Defense; (8) Offense; and (9) Summary.

TURNOVERS

Rationale: The past does not always predict the future, but the past often predicts the future

Team Recovered Turnovers (i.e. Gained Turnovers)

[2012 Team Statistic: Recovered Fumbles] 17 total recovered fumbles (1.3 pgp)

[2012 Team Statistic: Caught Interceptions] 15 total caught interceptions (1.2 pgp)

[2012 Team Statistic: Combined Recovered Turnovers (fumbles plus interceptions)] 32 total combined recovered turnovers (2.5 pgp)

Team Lost Turnovers

[2012 Team Statistic: Lost Fumbles] 15 total lost fumbles (1.2 pgp)

[2012 Team Statistic: Thrown Interceptions] 9 total thrown interceptions (0.7 pgp)

[2012 Team Statistic: Combined Lost Turnovers (fumbles plus interceptions)] 24 total combined lost turnovers (1.8 pgp)(rounding difference above)

NOTE: David Fales (Sr.) is a returning starter at quarterback [2012 Individual Statistics: 9 interceptions thrown in 451 passing attempts (2.0%)]

Team Combined Net Turnovers [(Recovered Turnovers) minus (Lost Turnovers)]

[2012 Team Statistic: Combined Net Turnovers] positive 8 combined net turnovers (positive 0.6 pgp)(rounding difference above)

GRADE (Turnovers): B

DISCIPLINE ON THE FIELD

Rationale: The past does not always predict the future, but the past often predicts the future

Team Penalties

[2012 Team Statistic] 68 total penalties (5.2 pgp)

[2012 Team Statistic] 618 total penalty yards (47.5 pgp)

GRADE (Discipline on the field): B plus

MOMENTUM

Last season, San Jose State had an overall record of 11-2 and won their final 7 games, including a 29-20 win against Bowling Green in the Military Bowl.  San Jose State finished last season with national rankings of #21 (AP), #21 (USA Today), and #24 (BCS).  San Jose State’s performance last season was arguably among the best in school history.

GRADE (Momentum): A

COACHING

Head Coach

Current Tenure as Head Coach at San Jose State: Ron Caragher is in his first season as the Head Coach at San Jose State.  Caragher is inheriting a San Jose State team that arguably just finished the best season in team history.

Last Coaching Position: Head Coach at the University of San Diego (FCS) (2007-2012)

Prior Experience as Head Coach: Head Coach at the University of San Diego (FCS) (2007-2012)

Other Notable Facts: Caragher was a consistent winner as the Head Coach at the University of San Diego (FCS).  In six seasons at USD, Caragher had three seasons that ended in a 9-2 record, won three Pioneer Football League Co-Championships (2007)(2011)(2012), and was named the 2011 Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year.  Caragher’s experience as an assistant coach includes offense and special teams.  In the late 1980’s, Caragher was a very successful quarterback at UCLA.  Caragher was born and raised in the greater Silicon Valley area.

NOTE: I give a grade of “C” to all rookie coaches and players unless there is cogent evidence that supports a different grade

Offensive Coordinator

Current Tenure as Offensive Coordinator at San Jose State: Jimmie Dougherty is in his first season as the Offensive Coordinator at San Jose State.  Dougherty is also the Quarterbacks Coach at San Jose State.  Dougherty has the good fortune of inheriting a San Jose State offense that was ranked #30 in the nation for total offense last season and currently includes QB David Fales who is a 2013 Heisman Trophy Candidate.

Last Coaching Position: Wide Receivers Coach at Washington (2009-2012) and Passing Game Coordinator at Washington (2012)

Prior Experience as Offensive Coordinator: None

Other Notable Facts: Dougherty worked under Head Coach Ron Caragher at the University of San Diego (FCS) (2007-2008).  Dougherty played Quarterback at Missouri (1997-2001).

Defensive Coordinator

Current Tenure as Defensive Coordinator at San Jose State: Kenwick Thompson is in his first season as the Defensive Coordinator at San Jose State.  Thompson is also the Linebackers Coach at San Jose State.  Thompson has the good fortune of inheriting a San Jose State defense that was ranked #24 in the nation for total defense last season.

Last Coaching Position: Linebackers Coach at California (2007-2012).  Also, Associate Head Coach at California (2012).

Prior Experience as Defensive Coordinator: Texas Southern University (FCS) (1996-2000)

Other Notable Facts: Thompson coached LB Mychal Kendricks at California (2011 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year).  From 2001 to 2006, Thompson held various coaching positions at San Jose State.  Thompson has extensive recruiting ties in the Bay Area.  Thompson played at Harding University (D-2) and was named as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year (1990).

Special Teams Coordinator

Current Tenure as Special Teams Coordinator at San Jose State: Fred Guidici is in his second season as the Special Teams Coordinator at San Jose State.  Guidici was retained from the prior coaching staff.

Last Coaching Position: Special Teams Coordinator at San Jose State (2012).  Head Coach at Menlo College (NAIA) (2009-2011).

Prior Experience as Special Teams Coordinator: San Jose State (2012) and Santa Clara University (1990-1992)

Other Notable Facts: Guidici has coached San Jose State PK Austin Lopez (2012 2^nd Team All-WAC)(FWA Freshman All-America Team)(17/17 FGs – 100% accuracy).  Guidici is an alumnus of San Jose State (1989).

GRADE (Coaching): C plus

SCHEDULE

Total Home Games: 6

Consecutive Home Games:

§  Week 13 (Navy) and Week 14 (Fresno State)

Total Away Games: 6

Consecutive Away Games:

§  Week 2 (at Stanford)(Stanford is very close to SJSU), Week 3 (Bye Week), and Week 4 (at Minnesota)

§  Week 6 (at Hawai’i) and Week 7 (at Colorado State)

Bye Weeks:

§  Week 3 (September 10, 2013 through September 16, 2013)

§  Week 8 (October 15, 2013 through October 21, 2013)

MWC Non-Division Games (i.e. games against MWC Mountain Division Teams):

§  Week 5 (Home vs. Utah State)

§  Week 7 (Away at Colorado State)

§  Week 9 (Home vs. Wyoming)

Week 1: Sacramento State (FCS) at San Jose State

Game #: 1

Game Date: Thursday, August 29, 2013

Kickoff Time: TBA

Stadium: Spartan Stadium (San Jose, CA)

Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level

Elevation Change for Sacramento State: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)

Travel Distance for Sacramento State: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)

Time Change for Sacramento State: none

Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)

Weather: (Kickoff time TBA) temperature may be in the 90’s during the daytime

Stadium Noise: moderate

Commentary: “Sac State” has beaten several good FBS teams and nearly beaten several other good FBS teams, so this game is not an easy win for SJSU

Week 2: San Jose State at Stanford

Game #: 2

Game Date: Saturday, September 7, 2013

Kickoff Time: 8:00pm PT

Stadium: Stanford Stadium (Stanford, CA)(adjacent to Palo Alto, CA)

Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level

Elevation Change for SJSU: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)

Travel Distance for SJSU: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)

Time Change for SJSU: none

Field Surface: grass

Weather: insignificant (night game in early September)

Stadium Noise: moderate to high

Commentary: This rivalry game was recently named the “Bill Walsh Legacy Game” in honor of legendary football coach Bill Walsh who was a player at SJSU, coach at Stanford, and coach for the 49ers.  SJSU has had several impressive wins and several embarrassing losses against Stanford.  SJSU has two extra days to prepare for this game because SJSU has a Thursday game in the prior week (Week 1).  This game is Stanford’s first game of the 2013 season.

Week 3: September 10, 2013 through September 16, 2013

BYE WEEK

Week 4: San Jose State at Minnesota

Game #: 3

Game Date: Saturday, September 21, 2013

Kickoff Time: TBA

Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, MN)(Very Impressive.  Check it out: http://www.gophergridiron.com/page/show/327408-gopher-facilities)

Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level

Elevation Change for SJSU: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)

Travel Distance for SJSU: 1,560 miles (flight time is approximately 3 ½ hours)

Time Change for SJSU: increase by 2 hours (PT to CT)

Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)

Weather: (Kickoff time TBA) temperature may be in the 90’s during the daytime; high humidity will exacerbate heat

Stadium Noise: moderate

Commentary: Some SJSU players may have difficulty handling the combination of heat and humidity.  SJSU has an extra week to prepare for this game because SJSU has a bye in the prior week (Week 3).  Fun Fact: The mosquito is the state bird of Minnesota J

Week 5: Utah State at San Jose State

Game #: 4

Game Date: Friday, September 27, 2013

Kickoff Time: 6:00pm PT (7:00pm MT)

Stadium: Spartan Stadium (San Jose, CA)

Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level

Elevation Change for Utah State: decrease by 4,625 feet

Travel Distance for Utah State: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)

Time Change for Utah State: decrease by 1 hour (MT to PT)

Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)

Weather: insignificant (night game in late September)

Stadium Noise: moderate to high

Commentary: Utah State has an away game at USC in the prior week (Week 4) that Utah State can win and produce great momentum heading into this game.  This game will be a great matchup between Utah State QB Chuckie Keeton (2013 Heisman Trophy Watchlist) and SJSU QB David Fales (2013 Heisman Trophy Watchlist).  Last season, Utah State embarrassed SJSU in SJSU’s homecoming game at Spartan Stadium.  In that game, Utah State won by a score of 49-27 and produced 13 sacks (epic SJSU coaching failure) against SJSU QB David Fales.  Despite being sacked 13 times, SJSU QB David Fales had 38 completions on 50 attempts (76%), 467 passing yards, and 3 passing TDs.

Week 6: San Jose State at Hawai’i (MWC West Division Game)

Game #: 5

Game Date: Saturday, October 5, 2013

Kickoff Time: 6:00pm HT (8:00pm PT)

Stadium: Aloha Stadium (Honolulu, HI)

Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level

Elevation Change for SJSU: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)

Travel Distance for SJSU: 2,415 miles (flight time is approximately 5 hours)

Time Change for SJSU: decrease by 2 hours (PT to HT)

Field Surface: artificial (UBU Sports Speed S5-M)

Weather: rain is always possible in Honolulu

Stadium Noise: moderate

Commentary: SJSU has one extra day for travel and/or preparation for this because SJSU has a Friday home game in the prior week (Week 5).

Week 7: San Jose State at Colorado State

Game #: 6

Game Date: Saturday, October 12, 2013

Kickoff Time: 1:30pm MT (12:30pm PT)

Stadium: Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium (Fort Collins, CO)

Elevation of Stadium: 5,190 feet

Elevation Change for SJSU: increase by 5,105 feet

Travel Distance for SJSU: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)

Time Change for SJSU: increase by 1 hour (PT to MT)

Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)

Weather: insignificant (afternoon game in mid-October)

Stadium Noise: moderate

Commentary: San Jose State has a significant elevation increase of 5,105 feet that will likely have an adverse effect in the 4^th quarter, especially on San Jose State linemen.  San Jose State has a long trip to and from Hawai’i (flight time is approximately 5 ½ hours each direction – 11 total hours) in the prior week (Week 6).

Week 8: October 15, 2013 through October 21, 2013

BYE WEEK

Week 9: Wyoming at San Jose State

Game #: 7

Game Date: Saturday, October 26, 2013

Kickoff Time: TBA

Stadium: Spartan Stadium (San Jose, CA)

Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level

Elevation Change for Wyoming: decrease by 7,135 feet

Travel Distance for Wyoming: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)

Time Change for Wyoming: decrease by 1 hour (MT to PT)

Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)

Weather: (Kickoff time TBA) insignificant (late October)

Stadium Noise: moderate

Commentary: This game will be a great matchup between Wyoming QB Brett Smith (excluded from 2013 Heisman Trophy Watchlist due to weak 2012 and 2013 teams, but a great QB) and SJSU QB David Fales (2013 Heisman Trophy Watchlist).  Wyoming plays rival Colorado State in the prior week (Week 8).  SJSU has an extra week to prepare for this game because SJSU has a bye in the prior week (Week 8).

Week 10: San Jose State at UNLV (MWC West Division Game)

Game #: 8

Game Date: Saturday, November 2, 2013

Kickoff Time: TBA

Stadium: Sam Boyd Stadium (Las Vegas, NV)

Elevation of Stadium: 1,600 feet

Elevation Change for SJSU: increase by 1,515 feet

Travel Distance for SJSU: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)

Time Change for SJSU: none

Field Surface: artificial (TurfTech)

Weather: (Kickoff time TBA) insignificant (early November)

Stadium Noise: moderate

Commentary: UNLV plays rival Nevada in the prior week (Week 9)

Week 11: San Diego State at San Jose State (MWC West Division Game)

Game #: 9

Game Date: Saturday, November 9, 2013

Kickoff Time: 7:30pm PT

Stadium: Spartan Stadium (San Jose, CA)

Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level

Elevation Change for SDSU: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)

Travel Distance for SDSU: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)

Time Change for SDSU: none

Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)

Weather: insignificant (night game in early November)

Stadium Noise: moderate

Commentary: Last season, San Jose State QB David Fales threw 3 touchdown passes in the 4^th quarter to lead San Jose State to a come-from-behind victory by a final score of 38-34

Week 12: San Jose State at Nevada (MWC West Division Game)

Game #: 10

Game Date: Saturday, November 16, 2013

Kickoff Time: TBA

Stadium: Chris Ault Field at Mackay Stadium (Reno, NV)

Elevation of Stadium: 4,610 feet

Elevation Change for SJSU: increase by 4,525 feet

Travel Distance for SJSUY: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)

Time Change for SJSU: none

Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)

Weather: (kickoff time TBA) Temperature may be in the 30’s by nighttime.  Possible snow on the ground; possible snow before and/or during game.

Stadium Noise: moderate

Commentary: Cold weather may be a problem for younger SJSU players who may have little or no experience playing in cold weather.  SJSU has a significant elevation increase of 4,525 feet that will likely have an adverse effect in the 4^th quarter, especially on SJSU linemen.

Week 13: Navy at San Jose State

Game #: 11

Game Date: Friday, November 22, 2013

Kickoff Time: 6:30pm PT (9:30pm ET)

Stadium: Spartan Stadium (San Jose, CA)

Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level

Elevation Change for Navy: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)

Travel Distance for Navy: 2,444 miles (flight time is approximately 5 hours)

Time Change for Navy: decrease by 3 hours (ET to PT)

Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)

Weather: insignificant (night game in late November)

Stadium Noise: moderate to high (Navy draws a large crowd)

Commentary: Navy will have less time to prepare for this game because Navy is traveling a long distance (flight time is approximately 5 hours) and playing this game on Friday

Week 14: Fresno State at San Jose State (MWC West Division Game)

Game #: 12

Game Date: Friday, November 29, 2013

Kickoff Time: 12:30pm PT (IDIOTIC KICKOFF TIME!  Should be a 5pm kickoff!)

Stadium: Spartan Stadium (San Jose, CA)

Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level

Elevation Change for Fresno State: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)

Travel Distance for Fresno State: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)

Time Change for Fresno State: none

Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)

Weather: insignificant (afternoon game in late November)

Stadium Noise: high

Commentary: My choice for #1 conference game of the 2013 season.  This old rivalry is finally competitive again.  2013 Heisman Trophy showdown between Fresno State QB Derek Carr and SJSU QB David Fales.  Fresno State will have one less day to prepare for this game because Fresno State has a Saturday home game in the prior week (Week 13).  SJSU will have a full week to prepare for this game because SJSU plays a Friday home game in the prior week (Week 13).

GRADE (higher grade indicates favorable schedule): B plus

NOTE: Grading Standards: Grades are based on a national scale.  Unlike modern academia, my grades are not inflated.  A grade of “C” is average.  A grade of “C” is neither good nor bad; it is simply average.  A grade of “A” or “F” is rare.