Aggies' offense has earned respect in recent weeks.
? Even before they knew Utah State had posted its first win in 2009 by rolling up 53 points and 604 yards of offense on Saturday night, the BYU Cougars figured the Aggies would be difficult to handle this Friday.
Shortly after dismantling Colorado State 42-23 at LaVell Edwards Stadium, the Cougars began talking about the challenge they expect to get from the Aggies, who rolled past Southern Utah 53-34 after a few anxious moments.
If nothing else, new USU coach Gary Andersen has already earned his team respect from the other boys in blue.
"I was able to watch their first game, when they played Utah," said BYU safety Andrew Rich. " They have some really good athletes, and they are a dangerous team. Coach Andersen is doing a great job up there. We are going to have to prepare well and come out on Friday night and play hard to be able to beat those guys.
"They are going to be up for their in-state rival, so it is going to be a good game."
To avoid conflicting with the LDS Church's General Conference this weekend, the game will be played on Friday at 7 p.m., causing a short week of preparation for both teams. Despite winning Saturday, the Cougars dropped from 19 to 20 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll on Sunday, and from 20 into a tie for 21 in the USA Today /Coaches Top 25.
BYU quarterback Max Hall said there is no chance the Cougars will look past the Aggies, although they have defeated USU nine straight times.
"No way, absolutely not. We always pride ourselves on playing good at home," Hall said. "Friday night game -- I think a lot of the [LDS Church] general authorities will be in town. So we want to play well."
Last year, BYU won 34-14 after taking a 34-0 lead into the fourth quarter in Logan.
"They have some talented guys," said BYU linebacker Shawn Doman. "I haven't seen anything on them yet this year, but we just can't take them lightly. We just have to bring our 'A' game and keep our momentum going. I think they have a good team, with a lot of potential."
BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said the Cougars came out of the Colorado State game a little banged up and "will have to look hard at how we practice this week. I know it will be a fast turnaround and we will have to assess it."
It's the last of three straight home games for BYU. After Friday, BYU's next two games are on the road at UNLV and San Diego State.
? Even before they knew Utah State had posted its first win in 2009 by rolling up 53 points and 604 yards of offense on Saturday night, the BYU Cougars figured the Aggies would be difficult to handle this Friday.
Shortly after dismantling Colorado State 42-23 at LaVell Edwards Stadium, the Cougars began talking about the challenge they expect to get from the Aggies, who rolled past Southern Utah 53-34 after a few anxious moments.
If nothing else, new USU coach Gary Andersen has already earned his team respect from the other boys in blue.
"I was able to watch their first game, when they played Utah," said BYU safety Andrew Rich. " They have some really good athletes, and they are a dangerous team. Coach Andersen is doing a great job up there. We are going to have to prepare well and come out on Friday night and play hard to be able to beat those guys.
"They are going to be up for their in-state rival, so it is going to be a good game."
To avoid conflicting with the LDS Church's General Conference this weekend, the game will be played on Friday at 7 p.m., causing a short week of preparation for both teams. Despite winning Saturday, the Cougars dropped from 19 to 20 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll on Sunday, and from 20 into a tie for 21 in the USA Today /Coaches Top 25.
BYU quarterback Max Hall said there is no chance the Cougars will look past the Aggies, although they have defeated USU nine straight times.
"No way, absolutely not. We always pride ourselves on playing good at home," Hall said. "Friday night game -- I think a lot of the [LDS Church] general authorities will be in town. So we want to play well."
Last year, BYU won 34-14 after taking a 34-0 lead into the fourth quarter in Logan.
"They have some talented guys," said BYU linebacker Shawn Doman. "I haven't seen anything on them yet this year, but we just can't take them lightly. We just have to bring our 'A' game and keep our momentum going. I think they have a good team, with a lot of potential."
BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said the Cougars came out of the Colorado State game a little banged up and "will have to look hard at how we practice this week. I know it will be a fast turnaround and we will have to assess it."
It's the last of three straight home games for BYU. After Friday, BYU's next two games are on the road at UNLV and San Diego State.
