Posted by the San Jose Mercury News Nov. 19, 2012.

By Jon Wilner

SAN JOSE STATE

Result: Beat BYU 20-14

Grade: A+

Comment: For perspective on the Spartans’ first win over BYU since 1968, consider that the Cougars were within a field goal of beating Notre Dame in South Bend.That’s not to say SJSU would take down the Irish, but when combined with the Spartans’ three-point loss at Stanford, it’s a pretty solid indication that they’re a quality team on any level — WAC, Independent, B1G, Pac-12.

“If you would ask anybody in America if we’d be 9-2 at this time, I don’t think many people would’ve said it,” coach Mike MacIntyre said after the game.Truer words have never been spoken, at least on the corner of Seventh and Alma.

A stellar season for the Spartans got even better with what could reasonably be considered their best win since beating Stanford in 2006.

At the same time, MacIntyre’s stock is soaring at the same time positions are coming open across the country (and perhaps in the Bay Area).Whether he’s interesting in leaving SJSU is a discussion for another time, but I have to think the Spartans are reworking MacIntyre’s contract.

If not: What are they waiting for?

As opposed to the high-scoring affairs of the past month, this was dominated by the defenses (not surprising, given BYU’s prowess on that side of the ball).Keith Smith’s game-saving blitz/fumble forced was the play of the game, but SJSU was sturdy throughout, holding BYU to 2.6 yards per rush and a 33 percent third-down conversion rate.Oh, and don’t forget the four sacks and three turnovers forced.

Quarterback David Fales was 25 of 34 for 305 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Given the strength of BYU’s defense, this qualifies as the best game of Fales’ career.It’s one thing to carve up UTSA and New Mexico State, quite another to post those numbers against BYU.

Next up: vs. Louisiana Tech

The matchup: The Spartans are getting LaTech at just the right time, following an overtime loss to Utah State in a showdown for the WAC title.How must emotional fuel will the Bulldogs have left?

Even at less than their best, the Bulldogs present numerous problems for the SJSU defense: QB Colby Cameron and WR Quinton Patton are one of the top pass-catch tandems in the country.This will be the best test for SJSU’s defense since Utah State … and maybe the best test of the season.

LaTech leads the country in scoring, and not all of its big games have come against second-tier WAC foes: The Bulldogs posted 57 points on Texas A&M and 41 on Utah State.

The Spartans are favored by 3.5.