Quick hits: Hawaii (5-2, 3-0) at Utah State (4-2, 0-2)
When Utah State has the ball: Look for coordinator Dave Baldwin’s offense to try to mix it up as usual, but pay special attention to the Aggie running game. Hawaii was able to check Nevada’s usually unstoppable rushing attack last week, and will be facing a less-talented Aggie offensive line this week. Still, USU will likely try to shorten the game by sustaining long drives against the Warriors, who can only benefit offensively from a possession-heavy game. Likewise, by combining a commitment to the run game with the altitude of Logan, USU could tire Hawaii’s defense by the second half if backs Kerwynn Williams and Derrvin Speight can keep the chains moving.
When Hawaii has the ball: Look for passing, and a lot of it. Hawaii has the nation’s top-ranked passing offense, and has gotten the bulk of its production from receivers Greg Salas (61 catches, 910 yards) and Kealoha Pilares (53 catches, 11 touchdowns). Both players have exceptional hands and quickness in the open field, and can cause havoc out of the slot. While USU will have plenty to worry about with the Warrior passing game, the Aggies can’t afford to overlook Hawaii’s rushing game. Last year the Warriors gashed the Aggies for 360 rushing yards, and will look to use power back Alex Green in action Saturday.
Player to Watch: Hawaii quarterback Bryant Moniz. No defense (including Southern California) has held the Warrior quarterback to under 250 yards passing this year, while three of the last four Hawaii opponents have allowed him to hit on over 70 percent of his passes. For as accurate as Moniz has been, however, it’s his ability to make plays outside the pocket which make him truly dangerous. “He wants to get back there and throw the ball,” said USU head coach Gary Andersen. “But if that opportunity presents itself he is not afraid to run, and he is very capable of using his feet, no question about it.”
X-Factor: The weather. The National Weather Service has already issued an alert for Northern Utah this weekend, warning that “the mild fall weather of late will take a dramatic turn beginning this weekend.” Cache Valley is expecting cooler air and precipitation, possibly in the form of snow. Will it arrive by 3 p.m. Saturday? A 50 percent chance of precipitation during the day is currently forcasted, but a drop in the mercury can only help the Aggies at this point. While Hawaii did play well in a loss at altitude against Colorado, that game occurred in December. Logan in late October is a whole different ballgame.
Statesman Prediction: If we’ve learned one thing from Utah state this year, it’s expect the unexpected. From nearly shocking Oklahoma to upsetting BYU to getting blown out by Louisiana Tech, the first half of the season has played out much differently than most Aggie fans expected. Saturday should be no different, and although Hawaii comes in as the hottest team in the WAC, traveling to Logan will present Bryant Moniz and the offense problems. The Aggies have had two full weeks to prepare for this game and get healthy, while the Warriors will come into the game off their biggest win in a year. The result? Your classic “trap” game for the Warriors, who will come out overconfident and find that the change of climate will stifle their winning ways. Utah State wins this one before a homecoming crowd, 38-35.
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