Chuck Long spent the first two years of his tenure as coach getting San Diego State on the verge of contender status in the Mountain West Conference. After a brief flirtation with a bowl invitation last season, the Aztecs' expectations are sure to rise in 2008.

Long has been trying to transform SDSU into a more physical squad and believes this is his best team, physically, heading into spring ball.

"We've had a great eight weeks in the weight room," Long said. "Based on our numbers, we are at our strongest point in our program since we've been here."

The challenge for Long will be trying to continue that upward trend with a lot of new faces on offense. Gone are do-it-all quarterback Kevin O'Connell, top running back Brandon Bornes, wide receivers Brett Swain and Chaz Schilens and three offensive linemen.

Junior transfer Drew Westling from Southwestern (Calif.) College will compete with sophomore Kelsey Sokoloski and redshirt freshman Ryan Lindley for the QB job. Westling may get a longer look in the spring because he's new to the program, and the coaching staff has an idea of what Sokoloski and Lindley can do.

Defensively, the Aztecs lose their best linemen in end Nick Osborn, but the coaching staff must find some consistency throughout the unit. After it appeared to be turning the corner in a positive direction midway through 2007, the run defense was miserable in the final three games.

Special teams will be in a rebuilding mode as well, with kicker Garrett Palmer, punter Michael Hughes and deep snapper Tyler Schmitt all graduated.

Mike Nelson, who coached with Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football league last season, will coach the defensive line for the Aztecs, replacing Joe Bob Clements, who went to Kansas. Nelson was an assistant at SDSU from 1987-88.

Defensive coordinator Bob Elliott will coach inside linebackers and former tight ends coach Toby Neihaus will move to outside linebackers to fill the void left by William Inge, who left to coach at Cincinnati. Former director of football operations Brian Stark will coach tight ends.

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