What to watch for: Utah State vs. Colorado State

LOGAN -- Coming off of a bye week and a victory over Weber State the weekend prior, Utah State should be well rested coming into Saturday's Homecoming game against the Colorado State Rams.

But could the Aggies be too well rested? Will the hangover from the Weber State game carry for two weeks into this weekend's game?

Here are five storylines to watch for against Colorado State:

1. The Aggies run game against a depleted Rams defense
   Utah State ran all over Weber State two weekends ago. Robert Turbin moved into eighth place all-time amongst Aggie running backs with 2,048 yards to his name. The rush attack gained 461 yards on only 47 carries, moving them to fourth best in the nation. Seven Aggies players gained yardage on their rushing attempts, with four players getting into the end zone for a touchdown. Colorado State comes into this game with a banged up front seven. Star linebacker Mychal Sisson is out with a broken right ankle and defensive end Broderick Sargent is out for the season with a torn ACL. Look for Colorado State to stack the box in an attempt to stop the run game and for that to open up the play-action pass for Chuckie Keeton and the wide receivers.
2. The Aggies may be too well rested
   Coming off of a tremendous second half against Weber State where the Aggies put up 44 unanswered points, including 23 in the third quarter alone, there is the potential for a letdown going into the following game. Colorado State is fresh off a bitter loss to in-state rival Colorado and Utah State is coming off of a bye week. The Aggies record in the 2000's when coming off of a bye week is a meager 7-9, with last year's record after a bye standing at 0-2 with a 45-7 loss against Hawaii and a 50-14 loss against Boise State. However, this is a new team with a new attitude and a changing culture. Expect for head coach Gary Andersen to have his men fired up for the Homecoming game and to come out strong against the Rams.
3. The best offense is a good defense
   Aggie linebackers Bobby Wagner and Kyle Gallagher lead the Utah State defense in tackles and will look to continue their dominance against Colorado State this weekend. In their last outing, Utah State worked Weber State on both sides of the football, but especially after the Aggies defense dug in and made life miserable for the Wildcats, allowing for only 46 rushing yards. Colorado State comes into the game ranked 77th in the nation for rushing yards and 78th for passing yards. Rams quarterback Pete Thomas comes into the game having thrown only two touchdowns combined with three interceptions and seven sacks. If the Aggies can stifle the rushing attack and force Thomas to beat them with his arm, it could be several quick three and outs for the Rams offense, allowing the Utah State offense to take the field at what would be a weary Rams defense.
4. Dominance by the Aggies special teams
   We all pointed at the special teams as the reason for the Aggies heartbreaking loss against Auburn in Week 1, but it was the special teams that helped seal the deal against Weber State. Not only was the kickoff and punt coverage excellent, both kicker Josh Thompson and punter Tyler Bennett played stellar games. Thompson connected on field goals of 39 and 41 yards, making him perfect on the season with three attempts. Thompson also converted on six of seven extra point attempts. Bennett ranks second in the nation in punting with a 52.2 yard average, including a 62-yarder he unleashed against Weber State. And there is always that one guy named Kerwynn Williams who may be the most dangerous return man in all of FBS college football. As long as the coverage teams do their job, expect the special teams to do their share of punishing the Rams on Saturday.
5. "Win one for the Gipper!"
   Believe it or not, but it was President Ronald Reagan who uttered this verse when he was an actor in the movie "Knute Rockne: All-American". With this being the 100th anniversary of the birth of the 40th President of the United States, football teams across all levels of competition will be honoring the late president with the annual Ronald Reagen Commemorative Coin Toss with a special coin fashioned after Reagan. Hopefully the Aggies can find new meaning in the old phrase as they will be pursuing their first 2-1 start since 1997, which oddly enough came against Colorado State. Couple that with the aura of the Homecoming game and expect fireworks to fly in Logan on Saturday.

Email: onlinesports@ksl.com

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