SDSU announces its 2013 Big East opponents

The San Diego State football team will play host to Boise State, Cincinnati, SMU and Temple in its first year of the BIG EAST Conference in 2013, the league announced Tuesday.

Additionally, the Aztecs will play road contests at UConn, Houston, Louisville and Memphis. The dates and game times of SDSU's games will be announced in the near future.

With non-conference games already set for Oregon State and Eastern Illinois at home and Ohio State and New Mexico State on the road, the 2013 schedule could be one of San Diego State's toughest in program history.

Five of the Aztecs' 12 opponents in 2013 made a bowl game this year, including four home foes - Oregon State (Alamo Bowl vs. Texas), Cincinnati (Belk Bowl vs. Duke), Boise State (Las Vegas Bowl vs. Washington) and SMU (Hawai'i Bowl vs. Fresno State). Louisville, SDSU's fifth 2013 opponent to make a bowl game this year, will take on Florida in the Sugar Bowl, while Ohio State went 12-0 in the regular season, but was unable to participate in postseason this year.

Four of San Diego State's opponents captured a league title, including the defending BIG EAST co-champs (Louisville and Cincinnati), a fellow Mountain West co-champ (Boise State) and Eastern Illinois (Ohio Valley champ).

Additionally, three schools finished among the top 21 of the final BCS standings (No. 13 Oregon State, No. 19 Boise State and No. 21 Louisville).

Altogether, the Aztecs' 2013 opponents have combined to go 82-61 (.573) this year and 54-34 (.614) in league play. SDSU's home opponents (Eastern Illinois, Oregon State, Boise State, Cincinnati, SMU and Temple), meanwhile, have been even better, posting a combined 45-26 (.633) mark overall and 31-13 (.705) record in league action.

San Diego State is already accepting new account deposits on 2013 season tickets through the Aztec Ticket Office. Fans can purchase tickets through GoAztecs.com, over the phone by calling (619) 283-7378, or by visiting Qualcomm Stadium's Window E between 9 a.m. PT and 5 p.m. PT.

Winners of seven consecutive games, SDSU (9-3) will play Brigham Young (7-5) on Dec. 20 in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego State finished 7-1 in Mountain West play for a share of the league title, its 19th overall and first 1998.

2013 Season Schedule

Aug. 31 -- Eastern Illinois

Sept. 7 -- at Ohio State

Sept. 21 -- Oregon State

Sept. 28 -- at New Mexico State

TBA -- Boise State*

TBA -- Cincinnati*

TBA -- SMU*

TBA -- Temple*

TBA -- at UConn*

TBA -- at Houston*

TBA -- at Louisville*

TBA -- at Memphis*

* BIG EAST opponent, dates and times will be announced at a later date.