? The Utah State Aggies could set themselves up for a special season with a win over Fresno State on Saturday night at Romney Stadium.
A victory would loudly proclaim USU a contender in the Western Athletic Conference. It would easily serve as Utah State?s biggest football triumph in years and would provide proof that the optimism surrounding the team during the summer was well deserved.
Conversely, a loss could potentially set the Aggies back, especially with a road game at San Diego State and a showdown with Brigham Young University looming in the next few weeks. In what is the inaugural game for the new WAC Sports Network ? a consortium of affiliates in WAC markets ? Saturday?s game will serve as a huge barometer for USU. And it?s rare that you can say that about a game three weeks into a season.
?This is huge for us,? Aggies linebacker Bobby Wagner said. ?At the same time, we have to come out and play well. We have to concentrate on us. We can?t let ourselves fall to the hype.?
USU knows what?s ahead of it, what it?s getting into against the Bulldogs. Fresno State soundly defeated Cincinnati 28-14 in the first game of the season, a contest in which the Bulldogs reeled off the final four touchdowns of the game.
In that game, FSU quarterback Ryan Colburn proved exceptional against the Bearcats, who have made consecutive BCS Bowl appearances. Against USU, he will have a deep contingent of receivers to throw to, further testing the Aggies? secondary.
?I think he?s one of the best quarterbacks in the conference,? USU coach Gary Andersen said. ?He made a play against Cincinnati where he looked off the wideout and he threw the ball down the field. That shows he?s a good quarterback and is in command of that offense. Down two scores, a veteran quarterback doesn?t panic. He made some plays and tied the game up by halftime. I thought he made some great plays.?
Of course, in Diondre Borel, USU has arguably the best player on the field, and one who can take over a game with his passing and with his legs. The question will be how much time he gets to throw against one of the best defensive fronts in the country.
The Bulldogs come into Saturday leading the country in sacks per game with eight against the Bearcats. If the Aggie offensive line can give Borel time to throw, USU will conceivably have a significant advantage. If not, Utah State could be in some trouble.
Either way, a close game is expected on Saturday with the last two games between the two teams having been decided by a total of five points.
A victory would loudly proclaim USU a contender in the Western Athletic Conference. It would easily serve as Utah State?s biggest football triumph in years and would provide proof that the optimism surrounding the team during the summer was well deserved.
Conversely, a loss could potentially set the Aggies back, especially with a road game at San Diego State and a showdown with Brigham Young University looming in the next few weeks. In what is the inaugural game for the new WAC Sports Network ? a consortium of affiliates in WAC markets ? Saturday?s game will serve as a huge barometer for USU. And it?s rare that you can say that about a game three weeks into a season.
?This is huge for us,? Aggies linebacker Bobby Wagner said. ?At the same time, we have to come out and play well. We have to concentrate on us. We can?t let ourselves fall to the hype.?
USU knows what?s ahead of it, what it?s getting into against the Bulldogs. Fresno State soundly defeated Cincinnati 28-14 in the first game of the season, a contest in which the Bulldogs reeled off the final four touchdowns of the game.
In that game, FSU quarterback Ryan Colburn proved exceptional against the Bearcats, who have made consecutive BCS Bowl appearances. Against USU, he will have a deep contingent of receivers to throw to, further testing the Aggies? secondary.
?I think he?s one of the best quarterbacks in the conference,? USU coach Gary Andersen said. ?He made a play against Cincinnati where he looked off the wideout and he threw the ball down the field. That shows he?s a good quarterback and is in command of that offense. Down two scores, a veteran quarterback doesn?t panic. He made some plays and tied the game up by halftime. I thought he made some great plays.?
Of course, in Diondre Borel, USU has arguably the best player on the field, and one who can take over a game with his passing and with his legs. The question will be how much time he gets to throw against one of the best defensive fronts in the country.
The Bulldogs come into Saturday leading the country in sacks per game with eight against the Bearcats. If the Aggie offensive line can give Borel time to throw, USU will conceivably have a significant advantage. If not, Utah State could be in some trouble.
Either way, a close game is expected on Saturday with the last two games between the two teams having been decided by a total of five points.
