USU Football: Keys to beating BYU on Friday
Utah State hosts No. 13 BYU in a blackout game on Friday. Here’s a glance at the matchup, the stakes, and what the Aggies need to do to upset the 4-0 Cougars and claim the Old Wagon Wheel for the 38th time in school history.
Where each team is at
Utah State
If you told the sports bookies in the preseason USU would be 3-1 heading into the BYU game, you wouldn’t be taken seriously. USU was projected to lose by double digits in three of their first four games. But the Aggies have shown resilience and a never-quit attitude, gaining three comeback wins.
Utah State wasn’t projected to make a bowl game according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. Now, they are projected to finish 8-4. In six of their remaining eight games, the opponent has a lower FPI rank than USU (94).
BYU
The Cougars are 4-0 on the year, with three wins against PAC 12 schools. Most notably, they beat Utah, breaking a nine game losing streak in the Holy War.
Apart from controlling the PAC 12 South Division, BYU is looking to reach a New Year’s Six bowl, which an undefeated season nearly guarantees them.
Additionally, BYU recently was accepted to join the Big 12 Conference, which adds to the excitement and hype surrounding the program. They boast a lot of talent, a solid head coach in Kalani Sitake and respect from the AP Voters.
What each team is playing for
Utah State
The Aggies have arguably the easiest remaining conference schedule in the Mountain West. Even though they lost last week to Boise, a conference championship appearance isn’t out of reach. In eight of the Aggies’ remaining games, BYU, San José State and Wyoming are the only teams projected to make a bowl game right now. Obviously a non-conference game doesn’t have an impact on this goal, but a win this week could boost the team’s confidence for the rest of the season and help them go on a winning streak.
BYU
The possibility of a New Year 6 game is very much on the table for the Cougars. Early projections from Brett McMurphy, of Action Sports Network, predicts them to play in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. Some national pundits have even mentioned the college football playoff. Pete Thamel, of Yahoo Sports, said on Sept. 29, “BYU is in a better sport to make the CFP than any team in the ACC.”
For any of this to happen, the Cougars likely need to be flawless. The game against Utah State is their first true road game of the season, and a chance to improve to 5-0 and keep their undefeated dreams alive.
Keys to the game for the Aggies
— Contain the Quarterback’s impact
It is undetermined who the starting QB will be for BYU. Primary starter Jaren Hall has been battling with rib injuries sustained in the game against Utah. He was also kneed in the chest vs Arizona State and taken out for the remainder of the game.
Last week against South Florida, backup QB Baylor Romney stepped up and was 20-25 passing for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns.
If Hall starts, the Aggies will be faced with the test of keeping Hall behind the line of scrimmage. Hall has 166 rushing yards on only 20 attempts, and secured a win vs Utah by using his legs. If Romney starts, the Utah State defensive backs will be having a busy day covering the field. Romney is 21-26 on the year with four touchdowns, and the gunslinger’s favorite target so far is his brother, Gunner. The duo connected 5 times for 119 yards and a touchdown.
— Play at your own pace
The Aggies have a very fast moving offense, and try to get on the ball and go.
In order for the Aggies to be successful in this game, they need to score points. With quarterback Logan Bonner, who Head Coach Blake Anderson announced Monday is the solidified starting quarterback, and slot receiver Devin Thompkins, who is third in the nation for receiving yards, they have the fire power to do it. If the Utah State offense is able to play their fast pace style and stay on the field, they could pull off the upset.
— Use the crowd to your advantage
With three home games, and one neutral site, the Cougars are coming into Logan with no practice for a road game. A 7 P.M. kickoff on Friday night with a sold-out crowd will be a tough test for BYU. With a new tradition this year proposed by Blake Anderson, the Aggies will have their student section section right behind the visitors bench. The HURD needs to be loud and be a difference maker.
My Prediction:
This will be a tough game for the Aggies. BYU is undefeated and ranked in the top 15. They have one of the nation’s best running backs in Tyler Allgeier, as well as an experienced offensive line, and depth at wide receiver and quarterback.
Injuries have hounded the Cougars this season, and some of their key players are questionable for this week. But the Aggies can’t overlook their depth. I expect a high scoring game, especially if Baylor Romney is the starter, as both teams will have gunslingers at the quarterback position that like to throw, often and deep. If Jaren Hall starts, the Aggie defense could be on the field longer, as the Cougar offense takes their time when Hall plays.
This is a winnable game for the Aggies, even though they are not projected to win by any betting lines or analysts. But doing so is will be a tall task. I predict the Cougars to narrowly escape Maverik Stadium with a 38-34 win.