“This-N-That–After Thanksgiving”

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AZTECS….Grit beat Glitz in the San Diego State win over UCLA.  That was so impressive.  The Bruins supposedly the best team in the PAC-12.  Maybe SDSU should file an application to join that league.  Name the game, Brian Dutcher’s team can play it and win.  They beat UCLA, a team laden with 5-star recruits.  They grinded their way to that win.  They forced UCLA into a half-court game the Bruins could not operate.  They defended them all over the court.  They hit three point shots all night.  The bench was as impressive as the starters.  And this with so many new people on the roster, stepping in as if they had been there for years.  Mountain West Conference look out, can you say ‘Best in West’.  For UCLA, alot of work to do.

AZTECS…I have had great regard for what San Diego State’s athletic leadership has accomplished, but I question this move right now.  The Thursday night decision to send SDSU on the road to play the Colorado Buffaloes in a non conference game doesn’t feel right.  No prep time for SDSU, a team struggling right now.  Sending them into Boulder to play a Buffs team that beat up UCLA just a couple of weeks ago.  I know Brady Hoke keeps saying his kids want to play, but they are not ready for this test.  I hope this wasn’t about SDSU getting some 175,000 to have their players go in there to get pounded.  I don’t understand why Air Force wasn’t a better opponent, unless the Covid situation was worsening in Colorado Springs.

CHARGERS…Off to Buffalo they go, the cold and wind and the fury that Bills football is this season.  Won’t be an easy game for QB-Justin Herbert, ringing up great numbers while surrounded by a poor team.  The demotion of Special Teams coach George Stewart was long overdue, not just from this year’s breakdowns, but years of struggles.  But they have more problems that special teams breakdowns.  And after they get blasted by the Bills to go (3-8) you wonder if Anthony Lynn is living on borrowed time as head coach.  This sure feels-looks like the waning days of the Mike McCoy mess.

PADRES….Up next might be some surprise decisions from GM-AJ Preller when it comes time to tender contracts.  The team may not offer super utilityman Greg Garcia a deal.  Do they give up on struggling catcher Francisco Mejia?  Would they entertain an idea on bringing back Hunter Renfroe to be their 4th outfielder after hwas let go by Tampa Bay?  Might there be interest in relinking with just released Indians reliever Brad Hand.  Would they trade young pitching for an established veteran pitcher now that Mike Clevinger is gone for a year?  Stay tuned.

USD…In this fractured year, something to look forward to, USD will play spring football in March and April…a 6-game Pioneer Conference schedule, if this virus is tamped down.  Of course it entails 3-long flights to get back to the Midwest or South.

USD…They won’t be ready to open the season.  A 14-day pause in workouts because of a positive test, has put them behind the practice curve.  No non conference tuneup games.  Alot of new players and a conference schedule ahead.  It will take alot of work by Sam Scholl to be better than last year’s (9-23) collapse.

UCSD…A debut year for Eric Olson as the Tritons start play as a new member of the Big West Conference.  But the same issues there too, late start to practice, no early season games, and a move up to Division 1-status in a much tougher league.  This will be a long run up hill.

GULLS…The NHL has still not announced when their season starts.  No announcement when training camps start and we are up against December 1st.  And the American Hockey League now says they won’t play till February 5th, and don’t know if they can have fans in the stands.  This is a league that needs gate receipts to survive.  The Gulls will have a collection of really good young Anaheim Ducks draft picks coming in, but who knows when this starts and how long they play.

COVID CALENDAR….Root for the vaccine.  Bring on the vaccine.  Sooner than later.

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