This week’s opponent marks a decisive turning point in the season. The Hornets (0-1) travel to Big Sky Conference opponent Portland State (0-1) for a make or break game.

Whichever team comes out victorious in this one will sit on top of the conference standings and be at .500. The loser will be at the bottom and winless. It is a huge game for both teams, not to mention that 18th ranked Portland State is coming off a 35-12 loss at McNeese State. This is the Vikings’ first home game of the year, and in the past five seasons, they haven’t lost a home opener.

The Hornets have lost the past seven consecutive meetings against Portland State, losing last year 13-7 at Hornet Stadium. The Hornets are 6-20 all-time against the Vikings.

This year is big for Sacramento State to make a statement and break their current streak of losses.

The Hornets come off a decent defensive showing at Fresno State, losing 24-3. The defense held the Bulldogs to 14 points in the first half, but the offense couldn’t pick up the slack and give the defense some rest.

Freshman quarterback Jason Smith had a solid performance in his debut, going 13-23 for 60 yards with no turnovers. If he can connect with Ryan Coogler for some major yards or some scores, things should go in the Hornets’ favor.

The main things the Hornets will have to do to compete is put together some decent drives and produce some offense. The lack of an offensive presence in the first game severely hindered the defense’s ability to make plays, especially late in the game. If the offense can stay on the field and give the defense some rest, then it should be a good ballgame.

For the Hornets to stop the Vikings defensively, they will have to contain senior wide receivers Kenneth Mackins and David Lewis. Mackins is coming off an impressive 2006 season in which he was selected second team all-conference. Lewis, in the Vikings’ first game, caught six passes for 64 yards. If the Hornets can stop the pass, it shouldn’t be a problem to contain the run game.

It should be an interesting coaching matchup as well.

Marshall Sperbeck, the former junior college coach, versus new Portland State coach and former coach of the Atlanta Falcons Jerry Glanville – it will be exciting to see who can outwit the other.

The game is in Portland at PGE Park on Saturday. The Hornets’ first home game will be on Sept. 29 against Northern Arizona.

Galen Kusic can be reached at [email protected].