AZTECS NOTEBOOK : Linebackers Say Defense Improved : Football: New starters Roberts, Provensal say team has matured.

Mark Roberts and Chad Provensal, two country boys from Bakersfield, acknowledge they’ve never seen such big-city competition as USC, Brigham Young and UCLA.

But the two linebackers, who have earned starting spots on San Diego State’s defense, are concerned about truth in advertising.

For instance, many talk about the Aztecs having a weak defense (they were ranked 103rd among 106 Division I teams last year). Don’t believe it, Provensal says.

“I think you might see the defense win some games for us this year,” he added.

What about this seemingly outlandish top-20 poll published by Sports Illustrated this week? The Aztecs were listed 20th, while USC, BYU, UCLA, Stanford and Cal were nowhere to be found. Straight talk, Roberts says.

“I think we should be (ranked 20th),” said Roberts, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound sophomore from Bakersfield West High who will start on the strong side in SDSU’s three-linebacker scheme. “We’ve got a lot of athletes, good players and experience. Those teams are powerhouses; they’re always going to be in the top 25. We’re kind of the new kids.”

Said Provensal, a 5-11, 210-pound sophomore from Bakersfield High who figures to start in the middle, “I don’t even look at preseason polls; they can put anybody they want there right now. But I think we’re good enough. We’re ready to play that caliber team.”

Neither player has started a Division I game, so perhaps they simply don’t know any better. But Provensal makes a point.

The Aztecs entered fall practice with eight returning starters on defense. Provensal believes those teammates have put the nightmares of 1991 behind them. Leaders have been born in the wake of disaster. This defense, they say, won’t blow a 45-17 lead in the WAC championship game. No longer will the Aztecs lose confidence and collapse in big games.

“I just don’t think that’s the feeling anymore,” Provensal said. “We’re a different team.”

“We’re coming of age; we’re getting older,” added Roberts, who, ironically, was Provensal’s most bitter rival in high school but has been his roommate the past two years. “We’ve got to have a lot more mental toughness coming into the games.”

The defense gave up only one long touchdown in two intrasquad scrimmages this fall, forcing the Aztecs’ big-play offense to grind it out. Coach Al Luginbill said he is impressed with the improvement, particularly at linebacker.

“This is the most depth we’ve had at that position since I’ve been here,” he said. “And I’m talking speed, quickness and strength. When we substitute, our quality of play doesn’t drop off.”

Roberts has replaced Lou Foster and Provensal replaced Andy Coviello, both seniors last year. Provensal, however, has had his hands full battling Shawn Smith, who started at Notre Dame two years ago. On the weak side, Terrill Steen is getting a push from senior Tracey Mao, a former starter who was suspended last season.

Given their nearly identical circumstances, one would think Roberts and Provensal saw a lot of each other this summer. Not so. They trained independently. Roberts maintained his grandfather’s property. Provensal supervised a grape farm. The only time they bumped into each other was at a Hank Williams, Jr. concert in June.

Receiver Will Tate, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery less than two weeks ago, has so surprised everyone with his speedy recovery he could play in SDSU’s Sept. 5 opener against USC, the Aztecs say.

“I feel real good, and the trainers are surprised I’m doing this well,” said Tate, who ran wind sprints with the team and claims to be about 70%.

“I can make cuts, I can do everything right now, but not up to the same speed,” said Tate, a junior from Southwest High. “My biggest problem is slowing down. That’s how I hurt it.”

Luginbill said Tate performed better than any other receiver in spring workouts, and Tate was first on the depth chart at H-back. But there was concern over how his knee would respond to the surgery to repair torn cartilage since X-rays revealed old ligament damage as well. The ligaments were left alone.

“USC, that’s what I’m aiming for,” said Tate, who has sandwiched two practices a day around three rehab sessions since his surgery Aug. 17. “I haven’t played in an opener yet.”

The Aztecs broke camp yesterday (today is their first day off since Aug. 15) virtually injury-free, aside from Tate and defensive back Robert Griffith, who has a mild ankle sprain.

Three players were sidelined Saturday, only because of viruses: defensive end Ty Morrison (bronchitis), Steen (flu) and running back Kipp Jeffries (flu). All are expected back Monday. Last year, SDSU was plagued by hamstring injuries. This year, Luginbill added a formal post-practice stretching session for about 30 players.

“Right now, we’re as healthy as we’ve been as a football team at this stage,” Luginbill said. “I’d like to think that’s an omen for the season.”