Thanks so much for sharing! I'm not sure about the ranking thing, I tend to agree with you, that the rubric that U.S. News, et. al. tend to use may not be the best judge of quality teaching and professor availability.
I'm working as an assistant to an SLP who went to SDSU, and she is extremely effective and knowledgeable. She also highly recommends San Diego's program.
I just found out I didn't get into SFSU, so I'm also headed either to SDSU or out of state.
Have you visited San Diego at all?