By Kavin Mistry
With the recent spike in popularity surrounding the San Jose State football team and the upcoming spring game this Saturday, it is only fitting to look ahead to the 2017 season.
There are a few games you will want to make sure you circle on your calendar and keep an eye out for this season.
The 2017 season features five non-conference games — four to begin the campaign and one in the middle of the season.
Big games, longtime rivalries and high-level matchups determine which games made the cut.
- WEEK 3 – San Jose State at Texas Longhorns
The most exciting matchup for the Spartans this season will go down in Austin, Texas when SJSU will take on one of the most historic university football programs in the country.
This will give the players an opportunity to compete in front of at least 100,000 fans, in one of the most recognized venues college football has to offer.
Texas is currently in a transition stage of its program after firing head coach Charlie Strong last season after the team had been in a tailspin for the past few years.
Despite the turnover, the Longhorns are no joke. New head coach Tom Herman will have a lot to prove to his new team and his fans, especially with several of returning players on his roster.
According to ESPN, Texas is among the teams with the biggest rises from last season in the preseason rankings (No. 24).
2. WEEK 4 – San Jose State at Utah Utes
Weeks 3 and 4 will be the quite the test for the young Spartans, who will go from Texas to Utah to face one of the top teams in the Pac-12, the Utes.
Utah had a down year by the team’s standard last season, but the Utes usually find themselves at or near the top of the Pac-12 standings.
Last season, these two teams met head-to-head at CEFCU Stadium and the result was not pretty for the Spartans who fell 34-17.
3.WEEK 7 – Fresno State vs San Jose State
Every team looks forward to playing rivals and for the Bulldogs and Spartans, the race for the Valley Trophy is often a tight one.
Expect the same in 2017. Both teams are coming off of disappointing years at the bottom of the Mountain West standings, which led to coaching changes on both sides.
This time the rivalry shifts back to San Jose and the Spartans will look to defend the trophy for the third straight time.
4. WEEK 10 – San Diego State vs San Jose State
The second rivalry matchup for the Spartans will come right in the middle of the conference schedule, when the Aztecs make their way to CEFCU Stadium.
It will be a very happy sight for Spartan fans to not have to watch the now-graduated running back Donnel Pumphrey torch the SJSU defense.
Expect the Spartans’ defense to be hyped to its highest level and circle November 4 on their calendars. No matter where these two teams are in the standings, this will be the most physical game of the year.