I did some research on Baseball Reference measuring the offensive output of the Padres versus that of their opponents since Petco opened. What I found is that the Padres have been consistently out scored, out homered, and out slugged in every season except 2007, and in 2010 they out scored and out slugged their opponents yet were out homered.

Below is the chart form of the data that I found. Draw from it whatever conclusions you want, but it seems to me that the better team, e.g. the 2007 Padres, will consistently outhit their opponent at Petco regardless of where the fences are. I tried to make charts but the stupid SB Nation editor won't let me post them or upload them so go figure. Anyway, discuss:

The San Diego State Aztecs (3-0) travel to the eastern time zone to play Michigan (3-0) at the Big House on Saturday morning. Former SDSU coaches Brady Hoke and Al Borges will be taking on players that they recruited as well as long-time colleague and new Aztecs head coach Rocky Long.Michigan will have to find a way to slow SDSU's high powered offense featuring super-sophomore Ronnie Hillman and senior QB Ryan Lindley. San Diego State will have to focus on the explosive and versatile Denard Robinson, the QB who runs the Wolverines offense.

Michigan will have two distinct advantages:

First, Hoke and Long recruited a majority of the kids that start for SDSU right now. They know their individual tendencies and the overall tendencies of how the team plays. SDSU kept Long on as head coach was to provide consistency on how the team plays, so they are essentially the same team under Hoke and Borges.

Second: This is the second time in 3 weeks that SDSU will have to travel cross country and play at 9 a.m. Pacific Time. Players will probably tell you that it's no big deal but being half asleep will matter at the Big House.

Catch the jump for some match-ups.

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San Diego State Aztecs head coach Steve Fisher receives his second Coach of the Year award announced tonight garnering the coveted NABC Coach of the Year award which is voted on by all of the countries coaches. He also received the Adolph F. Rupp Cup named for the famous University of Kentucky head coach.

Steve Fisher said this award carries special significance because it is voted on by his coaching peers around the nation who are the best to be able to say what it takes to be a basketball coach. Fisher received this award at a ceremony at the Final Four in Houston where he is attending the ceremonies and watching the games. Fisher led the Aztecs to a school record 34-3 and gaining the program's first two NCAA tournament wins and first Sweet 16 appearance.

Mike Brey of Notre Dame won the other two major coaching awards, the AP's and USBWA Coach of the Year awards. The Naismith award is the last major award to be given and is scheduled to be announced tonight.

UPDATE: Steve Fisher was named Naismith Division I National Coach of the Year.

The game just started and DeNorf singled to begin the game off Ednison Volquez. Casey Kelly is starting the game (LeBlanc is pitching in the minor league game, does this mean something?). Unfortunately, Salad-Bar and Rob Johnson are both in the lineup and they are both terrible at hitting so don't expect a lot of offense.

Also, Denorfia just got picked off, way to go superstar, because Orlando Hudson just singled as well. Lineup goes:

Denorf, O-Dawg, Can Do, Hop, Slugwick, Wilted Salad Bar, Rob J, Jodes' husband, and Casey Kelly.

The San Diego State Aztecs will take the Mountain West Conference's highest seed ever (beating New Mexico's 3 seed last season) to try and win their first NCAA game in school history after six failed attempts. They will take on the auto-bid team from the Big Sky Conference Northern Colorado whom the Aztecs have had recent experience against. The two teams split a home-and-home tilt with each team winning the road game. Out of the current Aztecs starters, only Gay and White were on the roster for those games. Still, much is being made of the fact that Northern Colorado beat the favored Aztecs in San Diego and that Gay and the Aztecs were booed off the court by the home crowd.

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The team has officially announced that free agent Safety Bob Sanders has signed a one-year deall with the San Diego Chargers. Sanders was the 44th pick in the 2004 draft and has spent his entire 7 year career with the Colts before he entered free agency a few weeks ago.

Bob Sanders is a two-time All-Pro safety including winner the AP's honor for defensive player of the year in 2007. He is known for his big hits but recently is more known for his propensity to get injured. Since the 2008 season he was missed part or the entirety of the season due to injury. He played in only 2 games in 2009 and only one game last season before hitting injured reserve.

This is not likely to impact Eric Weddle much, as Weddle plays Free Safety primarily and Sanders plays Strong Safety. If Sanders ends up the starter, this will take playing time away from Steve Gregory.

His ability to contribute to the Chargers is obviously dependent on his ability to stay healthy. He hasn't been a productive player in a few seasons but has proven to be a force when healthy. I assume that he signed with the Chargers because they told him he'd have an opportunity to start. Post in the comments your opinions on the signing and how you think the Chargers will use him in the defense.

Said Chargers General Manager AJ Smith:

We are all very excited to add Bob Sanders to our defense. We have always held him in high regard. He’s a smart, physical, instinctive player. His intensity and playmaking ability can make an immediate impact on our defense.

Head Coach Norv Turner also had this to say:

There’s no question I’m excited. The fact that Bob was available and excited about being here and then having it work out is great. Our guys have unbelievable respect for him and what he’s done through the years. Certainly he knows what we’re capable of doing, so it’s a great fit.

When you do something like this obviously there’s some risk involved but the upside outweighs that. He’s healthy and he’s excited about the opportunity.

The Aztecs overcame injuries and a raucous crowd and won their fourth straight game over UNLV in a physical game at a sold out Thomas and Mack Center. SDSU was playing without starting guard Chase Tapley (ankle) and reserve forward Tim Shelton (knee), center Brian Carwell was hobbling around the court, and two starting big men Billy White and Malcolm Thomas in foul trouble.

The Aztecs held a lead for the majority of the game but the Rebels closed the gap and took a late lead and it looked like UNLV was going to complete the comeback and get a marquee win on their tournament resume. As it turned out, the Rebels poor 3 point shooting and the Aztecs success at the free throw line sealed the victory for SDSU.

The Rebels followed up their 1-18 3 point shooting in San Diego with a 1-14 performance in this game including no makes in the second half and several late misses which could have given them the victory. The Aztecs, who are known for being poor shooters from the charity stripe, went 20-22 in the game including 9-9 in the closing minutes to seal the victory.

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