GAME INFORMATION

Matchup: San Diego State (9-3) vs North Texas (11-2)

Date: Saturday, December 27

Location: Albuquerque, NM, University Stadium

Kickoff: 2:45 PM PT

TV: ESPN

Aztecs Radio Network: San Diego Sports 760

The 2025 Isleta New Mexico Bowl pits two of the better Group of Five teams of the season. The Mean Green were one win away from playing in the College Football Playoff (CFP), while the Aztecs were on the doorstep heading into their final regular-season game. 

The 20 combined victories are tied with the Pop-Tarts Bowl for the most for any non-CFP bowl game. The Aztecs will aim for their sixth double-digit win season since 2015 and tenth in their Division I history. 

The Mean Green, ranked 25th in the CFP rankings, is making their 16th bowl appearance and eight of the last ten years. 

The contest will see one of the top defenses versus one of the top offenses in the country this season. The Aztecs are ranked fifth in scoring defense, fifth in pass defense, and seventh in total defense, while the Mean Green are first in scoring offense, second in pass offense, and first in total offense. 

North Texas will be without Eric Morris, the head coach who guided them this season. He was hired away by Oklahoma State at the conclusion of the regular season. Drew Svoboda will be the interim head coach of the Mean Green in the bowl game.

The biggest question mark of the game is whether the nation’s leading passer, Drew Mestemaker, will play for the Mean Green. Mestemaker, a redshirt freshman who threw for 4,129 yards and 31 touchdowns, is reported to be entering the transfer portal when it opens on January 2 and will be a hot commodity among power conference teams. Although no official announcement has been made by North Texas or Mestemaker, it appears doubtful he would play in this contest. 

Players to Watch

Lucky Sutton, SDSU RB: The Mean Green are 126th in rush defense but 10th in pass defense this year. Given Jayden Denegal is out for the Aztecs following surgery, and Bert Emanuel, Jr. struggled in the pass game in limited opportunities this year, the Aztecs will have to lean on Sutton and the running game even more on Saturday. Sutton, who announced on Monday that he will return to SDSU for his final season in 2026, led the Mountain West with 1,237 rushing yards on 5.2 ypc. 

Wyatt Young, UNT WR: The sophomore ranked third in FBS with 1,209 yards on the season, scoring ten touchdowns. The matchup against either All-Conference teammates Chris Johnson or Bryce Phillips would be a tantalizing one, although both could be unavailable for the Aztecs as they prepare for the NFL Draft. If neither plays and regardless of who is at QB for the Mean Green, the Aztecs will be scrambling to find the right mix to cover Young and the rest of the talented receiving group for the Mean Green. 

Keys to a SDSU Victory

Win the turnover battle: The Mean Green’s 25 turnovers forced are tied for the sixth most in the nation. The Aztecs forced 16 themselves. While their defense will be tested by the top offense in the country and will give up yards, forcing turnovers will be critical to keeping the Mean Green from running off another 50-point performance. 

Hit on trick plays: As a 5.5-point underdog and without Denegal, the Aztecs’ offense will need to hit some explosive plays to keep up on the scoreboard with the Mean Green. The running game will pick up yards but will struggle to rack up touchdowns. At various points this season, head coach Sean Lewis called trick plays, but the team did not execute them. With nearly a month to prepare for this bowl game, the offensive staff hopefully drew up some new ones they hope can provide a much-needed spark to the offense. 

Andre Haghverdian

Avid sports fan and historian of basketball, baseball, football and soccer. UC San Diego and San Diego State alumni living in America’s Finest City. Diverse team following across multiple sports leagues, but Aztecs come first in college athletics.