SAN DIEGO ---- If a football program turns around and no one is there to see it, does it really happen? For years, San Diego State was a mere sapling in the college football forest.

Few wins meant few fans.

But this season's Aztecs are at least breaking the huddle in unison. They are at least playing hard. And they are 4-4, reaching .500 this late in the season for the first time since 1998.

That has been met with a collective yawn from SDSU alumni, students and your basic San Diego County football follower.

Proof positive is the, uh, 12,647-attendance mark in Saturday's win over New Mexico.

About that figure ---- its doubtful SDSU's math department would verify that accounting.

Which brings us to this Saturday, with the Aztecs entertaining Texas Christian (8-0, 4-0 Mountain West Conference).

TCU, winners of 10 straight, is ranked No. 4 in the BCS poll. After evaluating its game films, SDSU coach Brady Hoke had a frog in his throat.

But what he, and his players, really need is rear ends in Qualcomm Stadium seats.

"It would be great for the students and the community to support them,'' Hoke said. "I would love to see people out there and have a real 12th man. Obviously, it would be important when you are playing big games.''

It doesn't get much bigger than facing the Horned Frogs.

"They are as talented as other teams in this country,'' Hoke said.

While the Aztecs (4-4, 2-2) aren't, they have a pulse after 10 seasons of flatlining.

But Hoke's changing of the losing culture that marinated for so long on Montezuma Mesa remains a secret.

We're not suggesting a packed house, like when the Chargers met the Raiders on Sunday.

Or like the Aztecs saw when Don Coryell was filling the Mission Valley air with pumped pigskins.

But you can't put lipstick on the fact that SDSU fans ---- hello, are you out there? ---- have yet to wrap their arms around their favorite team. Home attendance is averaging 26,522, a number that is catapulted by the 42,000 at the Sky Show game.

Close your eyes, Ryan Lindley, and dream of the 'Q' rocking for the Red and Black and not Red Devil fireworks.

"It would be awesome,'' Lindley said. "Obviously the effect it can have on a team coming in, being the away team, there is always that home-field factor you got that is tough. Usually, I think it would help out on defense, but it would help out our whole team a ton and give us maybe a little extra boost.''

There are a litany of reasons why Saturday's game had some 50,000 open seats: Halloween, the World Series and admit it, SDSU vs. New Mexico is hardly Florida vs. Georgia at the Gator Bowl.

In fact, Lindley's relatives, who never miss a home contest, missed that one.

"My own little cousins went out trick-and-treating and they come to every game,'' Lindley said.

Of course, their absence came with a price, as Lindley joked that he raided their supply of Reese's.

"That's the exchange,'' he said.

But what sticks to the roof of my mouth is that sparse crowds hurt not only this year's Aztecs, but also potential ones.

Imagine being a top-notch recruit on the sidelines Saturday and hearing coaches bark demands at players ---- from anywhere in the stadium. Saturday's Aztecs game had all the electricity of a one-watt bulb.

"Every kid's dream is to go to college and play in front of 80,000, 70,000 people,'' SDSU wide receiver DeMarco Sampson said. "Of course we would like that.

"But just over the last few years, we had down seasons, so I think they may be a little skeptical. We still have to prove ourselves against some good teams and TCU has the best defense in the nation. It's a big chance and a good opportunity for us.''

TCU does more than stop you; that is its strength, ranked No. 1 in allowing 235.8 yards per game. Defensive end Jerry Hughes is among the top players at his position.

But it can also move the ball, averaging a school-record 447 yards; TCU has outscored its last three opponents, 123-13.

Those numbers won't change if 50 or 50,000 people are looking down Saturday on Jack Murphy Field. But these Aztecs, who reach November with bowl chatter still relevant, deserve better at home.

And plenty of good seats are still available.