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LOGAN — There is one thing several Utah State projected starters said about the Aggies’ Aug. 31 season opener at Tennessee — it's big.
As in, big-time atmosphere, big-time stadium and big-time game, and that suits Utah State just fine.
“The first thing that everyone says when people find out you're playing Tennessee is that they have 109,000 people in their stadium,” senior safety Brian Suite said. “But every college stadium has their thing that makes them special. Theirs is just sheer size.
"For anyone who has ever played on a football field in a big game, when you’re on the field running plays and competing, all the fans start to fade away. There’s a noise factor, but we’ve played in loud stadiums and big games. We know how to handle ourselves there. The best players perform best in big games.”
The Aggies have played opponents from the Power 5 conferences in early games before, including losses at Wisconsin in 2012 and at Auburn in 2011.
In order for Utah State — one of a handful of dark horse contenders for the inaugural College Football Playoff from outside the big five conferences — to be taken seriously, the Aggies know they have to open with a statement.
“We feel like we can go in there and be confident,” said senior left tackle Kevin Whimpey, the lone returning starter on the offensive line. “We’re going to accomplish the work we need to in camp to help us be successful at Neyland Stadium.”
We feel like we can go in there and be confident. We're going to accomplish the work we need to in camp to help us be successful at Neyland Stadium.
–Utah State left tackle Kevin Whimpey
The Vols are facing plenty of transition under second-year head coach Butch Jones. Tennessee recently named Justin Worley as starting quarterback, and the Vols were projected to finish fifth in the SEC East in the league’s preseason media poll.
It’s not that the Aggies are feeling overly confident, but the veteran team, led by senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton and senior linebacker Zach Vigil, among others, has put a lot of trust in its coaching staff.
“If we prepare ourselves the way we need to be prepared, which I know (offensive line coach Mark) Weber and (head coach Matt) Wells will have us ready, then we’ll be able to go into Knoxville with confidence and ready to roll.”
The Aggies know facing Tennessee in the opening football weekend of the SEC Network brings an opportunity too.
“Any time you start a new season, you’re always thinking about that first game. We’re lucky to have the opportunity to play Tennessee, a great opponent from the SEC,” senior center Joe Summers said. “We’re hoping to take advantage of that opportunity."
Utah State has plenty of returning talent. Aside from Keeton, a darkhorse Heisman candidate and Davey O’Brien watch list nominee, the Aggie defense also brings back 6-foot-5, 245-pound All-American candidate Kyler Fackrell, a Bednarik, Nagurski and Butkus Award watch list honoree. Utah State will also rely on Vigil, a team captain, and defensive lineman B.J. Larsen in its front seven.
“It’s a big environment, but we’ve been in similar environments before,” Fackrell said. “So we’re just excited for the opportunity.”
