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LOGAN — Three things to look for as Utah State football enters the 2016 season.
1. What happens with the running game, and how effective will it be?
Utah State's running game, led by senior Devante Mays and junior LeJuan Hunt, looks likely to be one of Utah State's best offensive weapons in the 2016 season.
It was Mays who won most of the job in 2015. After the first two games of the season, Hunt had 37 carries while Mays had just 10. But Mays, a powerful 5-foot-11 235-pound running back, won the primary ball carrier role, picking up 5.9 yards per carry on 155 rushes in the remaining games. That average ranks seventh in school history, and Mays will have a chance to improve on it in 2017.
Hunt, though, does bring a change of pace as an all-around back. He has a good balance of speed and athleticism, and might be a better blocking running back than his counterpart. Hunt led the Aggies in rushing yards in 2014.
Of course quarterback Kent Myers is also a threat to run the ball. Last season, his 85 carries led to three touchdowns and 356 yards. He'll likely improve on that in 2016 with more games.
Despite all of that, though, last season the Aggies finished 10th in the Mountain West and 71st in the nation, picking up just 165 yards per game. That will need to become a more reliable lead weapon for the Aggies.
2. Will the Aggies avoid injury?
Yes, oft-injured quarterback Chuckie Keeton isn't the worry anymore, having played in seven games or fewer every season since 2012. But in many ways, the Aggies are more vulnerable to injury than ever before. After all, when Keeton went down last season to an MCL sprain, Kent Myers was there to take his place.
But if Myers were to go down, it'd be former Oregon transfer Damion Hobbs taking Myers' place. Hobbs has much more experience in an Aggie uniform rushing the ball (20 carries) than passing the ball (five pass attempts).
On the defensive side of the ball, the unit's going to be very reliant on returning seniors Ricky Ali'fua and Devin Centers in their units. But the linebacker group, thanks to four players leaving for the NFL, is going to be pretty thin as well.
Injury avoidance is a major part of any football team's successes. We'll see if the Aggies can finally stay somewhat healthy at major positions in 2016.
3. Can the Aggies put their best foot forward all year?
Remember, Utah State had some fantastic moments last season. The high was a 52-26 win over the Boise State Broncos that coach Mike Wells called "maybe the greatest win in program history."
Wells continued, "I told our guys … this isn't the championship game, but it puts you in the driver's seat."
From that point forward, USU lost five of its next seven to end the season. The loss at San Diego State the very next week could be excused, given that program's excellent season last year. But one-possession losses to New Mexico, Air Force and Akron in the bowl game meant a sour end to Utah State's season, not the championship sweetness Wells envisioned in mid-October.
That's the question: can the Aggies play their best football consistently, no matter the opponent? Their sixth consecutive bowl appearance, or bigger dreams, are on the line.
