The Utah State Aggies had a very good year in 2013 as they won the Mountain Division and then beat Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl. That was their 3 rd bowl appearance in a row and even though they have just 8 total returning starters this year, they should make it 4 bowl games in a row. Preview & schedule are below.
The Aggies averaged a solid 31.8 ppg last year and did so missing QB Chuckie Keeton for half the season. Darrell Garetson took over for Keeton and guided the Aggies to a 6-1 finish on the year. Now Chuckie is back and will be ready to go for the season opener. Even though Garretson did a good Job, Chuckie is the top QB on this team. He does lose the top two targets from last year, but some experience returns in Juniors Bruce Natson and Brandon Swindall, plus senior Ronald Butler. The running game took a hit as well, with the loss of Joey DeMartino, who ran for 1221 yards last year, but senior Joe Hill looks ready to step in after ranking 3rd on the team in rushing, with 252 yards. The OL may be a problem with just 1 starter returning and not much depth. This is one of the weaker lines in the league. The offense has some rebuilding to do overall, but the defense looks to be very solid. The DL is one of the best in the league and is led by BJ Larsen, who had 4 sacks and 4 more TFL last year. The LB corps looks very good with Zack Vigil and Kyler Fackrell, who combined for 7 sacks and 18 more TFL last year, but some solid depth as well. The secondary is the week spot on this defense with just 1 starter back but that is Brian Suite, who led the team in INTs last year (5), while also recording 6 PBUs as well.
The Aggies have really been a team on the rise of late, and they should have another solid season this year. The Offense may not be explosive in the beginning of the year, but as they progress, this team will score some points. The defense has a whole or two in the secondary, but the front 7 is very stout and overall I would rate this defense as 2nd best in the MWC. They do have road games vs Tennessee, BYU, Colorado State and Boise State but do have a very easy home slate, which should easily give them their 4th bowl appearance in a row and if the offense can come together quicker than expected, then that last week game vs Boise State just may be for the right to play in the MWC title game. KEY TREND: 1-8-1 ATS in their last 9 games vs Boise State.
2014 Utah State Football Schedule
Aug. 30 at Tennessee
Sep. 6 Idaho State
Sep. 13 Wake Forest
Sep. 20 OPEN DATE
Sep. 27 at Arkansas State
Oct. 3 at BYU
Oct. 11 Air Force
Oct. 18 at Colorado State
Oct. 25 UNLV
Nov. 1 at Hawaii
Nov. 8 at Wyoming
Nov. 15 New Mexico
Nov. 22 San Jose State
Nov. 29 at Boise State
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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