Logan will be buzzing Friday night as the Utah Utes invade Romney Stadium to take on the beloved Utah State Aggies. Utah State was a program that was an afterthought in college football a few short years ago, but Gary Andersen has this team moving up in a hurry over the past couple years. <\/p>\n
Utah Utes vs. Utah State Aggies<\/strong> Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Can the Aggies stick with the team from the PAC 12?<\/p>\n The Utes have a top-notch coach in Kyle Whittingham. Whittingham helped lead the team to an impressive 8-5 season last year in their first season in the PAC 12. This is a team that doesn\u2019t just want to fit into the PAC 12; they want to compete for titles very soon.<\/p>\n Utah has a lot of depth on both sides of the ball, and this team should be even better than they were a season ago.<\/p>\n Utah kicked off the season with a 41-0 win over Northern Colorado last week. While it might not have in the past, this week\u2019s meeting with the Aggies will bring a much tougher challenge for the Utes.<\/p>\n Jordan Wynn is a talented quarterback for Utah, but he has had trouble staying healthy. The Utes coaches have to be concerned since the team is breaking in two new tackles on the outside of the offensive line this year.<\/p>\n Protecting Wynn is a top priority for this team. The strength of the Utah offense is their depth at wide receiver. Devonte Christopher is an absolute star, and the team will play 8 or 9 guys on the outside this season. Star Lotulelei is a future NFL star at the defensive tackle position. He\u2019ll be the unquestioned leader of this defense in 2012.\u00a0[soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n The Aggies showed the country how much improved they were with their performance at Auburn in the season opener last year. Utah State should have won that game at Auburn, but they did go on to have a winning season in 2011.<\/p>\n The Aggies biggest problem was finishing out games last year, so they\u2019ll have to work on execution in the final moments. Utah State beat Southern Utah 34-3 last week in their season opener.<\/p>\n Chuckie Keeton is only a sophomore, but he is a very good quarterback. Keeton is a great dual-threat guy who is a very efficient passer. Utah State also has a very solid backup in Adam Kennedy.<\/p>\n Tyler Larsen is a great center, and he should be the leader of a solid offensive line this year. The running back spot is a bit of a question mark. The defense has improved a great deal in the past couple years. Nevin Lawson and Jumanne Robertson are terrific cover corners.<\/p>\n The secondary as a whole is very aggressive and hard-hitting. Utah State appears to be a team quickly on the rise.<\/p>\n The Aggies are much better, but I don\u2019t think they can stick with Utah for the entire game. Utah State doesn\u2019t have the same level of depth, and that will likely catch up with them eventually.<\/p>\n Both teams should put up quite a few points in this one.<\/p>\n
\n Romney Stadium, Logan Utah<\/strong>
\n Friday September 7, 8:00 PM EST on ESPN2<\/strong>
\n College Football Betting Odds from TopBet<\/strong>
\n Moneyline: Utah (-300) Utah State (+250)<\/strong>
\n College Football Spread: Utah -7.5 (-110) vs. Utah State +7.5 (-110)<\/strong>
\n Over\/Under: 53.5<\/strong><\/p>\nUtah<\/h3>\n
Utah State<\/h3>\n