San Jose State’s Thanksgiving Day match against Fresno State is victory or season over

San Jose State has a lot on its plate Thanksgiving Day at CEFCU Stadium.

Not only is the Battle of the Valley Trophy at stake for the eighth time, but the Spartans (5-6, 3-4 Mountain West) desperately need a win in the regular season finale against rival Fresno State to be eligible.

“It’s a bit like a playoff game,” said SJSU’s left tackle Jack Snyder. “If we win, we keep playing, so it’s like all the cards are on the table.”

The problem is that the Bulldogs (8-3, 5-2) also lack no motivation, given that a win will secure the Mountain Division title and a place in the conference championship game – as long as Boise State defeats No. 22 San Diego State on Friday .

The Spartans, who closed out their 2019 campaign with a win over the Bulldogs, are looking forward to the challenge after last year’s matchup was canceled due to COVID-19 complications.

“It’s Thanksgiving, we’re on national television, we’re playing a meaningful game in November, which is really what you want,” said San Jose State coach Brent Brennan.

At least 19 players are scheduled to participate in Senior Day pregame activities, including quarterback Nick Starkel, who missed five games in October with what is believed to be a broken collarbone.

The SEC transfer is in his sixth and final year of eligibility and is not ready for his collegiate career to end.

“It’s a real thing for all our seniors,” Starkel said. “It means a lot to us. I know I’m not just speaking for myself when I say that this game really is the most important game I’ve ever played in, just because of all the implications behind it.”

If San Jose State hopes to play in back-to-back bowl matches for the first time since 1986-87, here are a few keys to victory on Thursday:

Skill and efficiency

San Jose State ranks death last in Mountain West in both revenue margin and time of possession.

Starkel’s absence is partly a reason why the Spartans are still struggling to keep their season alive, even though he has thrown an interception in every game he has played and only completed 53 percent of his passes. The running game was filled with 12 yards on 22 draws in the most recent – and skewed – loss, 48-17 against Utah State.

By the time he walked into the farewell week, Starkel was already making a game plan for training.

“I think we can work on discipline, our toughness on third down and our attention to detail in our passing game,” he said. “Whether it’s protection, whether it’s depth of field, what to do against people, what to do against zone. All the attention to detail in the passing game goes a long way for us, especially the way we play offensively.”

Starkel will have to keep an eye on Bulldogs safety Evan Williams, who leads the team with three interceptions. Williams attended Brennan’s alma mater, St. Francis High and Mountain View.

Contains the Bay Area transplants

Fresno State is driven by the No. 2 scoring offense in Mountain West.

Quarterback Jake Haener, a Pac-12 transfer from Washington, comes from Monte Vista High in Danville. Running back Ronnie Rivers is another East Bay product from Freedom High, and his backup Jordan Mims is trained from nearby Menlo-Atherton High.

“I have nothing but respect for their entire offensive unit,” Hall said. “It comes down to how well we can stop the race and how well we can put pressure on Haener. Those are really big keys to the game.”

Rivers and Mims combine for over 120 rushing yards per game and have crossed the finish line 12 times.

San Jose State linebacker Kyle Harmon, No. 2 in the nation with 122 tackles, will be busy all afternoon trotting sideline to sideline.

Haener caught the attention of nationwide as he made a 40-37 upset of UCLA in the Rose Bowl back in September, and is in second place in the conference in passing yards per game (315.2) and touchdowns (28).

“He’s incredibly accurate and he’s smooth,” Brennan said. So he can well throw the ball on the move. I think his toughness is well documented and he’s fun to watch. ”

Fast environment

After an exhausting schedule that did not include home games in September and included trips to different time zones for three out of four weeks, San Jose State is playing back-to-back home games for the only time.

The Spartans have drawn at least 15,000 fans for four of their previous five home games, though it is unclear whether fans will choose to stay home for Thanksgiving and watch the game on FS1 while preparing for a family party.

“I understand the convenience of sitting in your own house,” Brennan said. “The beer is cheaper, no matter what, but you do not get the special feeling and energy from a college football match with the band and the cheerleaders and the students and the audience and the opponent. You hear hits and the whistle and the excitement of it. It’s just been great this year, I hope people show up in style this time, because you know Fresno is going to bring a lot of fans, they always do. ”

For those who show up, the Spartans give away Krazy George Bobblehead dolls.

“I want one of them,” Brennan said.