LOGAN — Utah State may look back at their loss to Utah as a missed opportunity.

For the first two and a half quarters they were the better team and had a nine point lead in the third quarter. But just like games against Auburn and Wisconsin the past two seasons, the Aggies didn't finish the job.

The Utes made the plays in the final quarter and a half and the Aggies didn't. The Utes were the team celebrating victory while the Aggies were left to wonder what might have been.

They walked away defeated, but the confidence and swagger they gained last season still remains.

"I'm proud of our kids," head coach Matt Wells said after the loss to Utah. "They've got a lot of fight to them. They're gonna win a lot of games."

After watching their season-opening performance, I agree with Coach Wells.

The Aggies face one of the toughest schedules a Utah State team has ever faced, but they proved last Thursday, despite the loss, they have what it takes to not only win a lot of games, but win the Mountain West Conference championship.

Why should I be that confident about their chances this season? There are three reasons.

I will start with Chuckie Keeton.

Related:

Keeton looks like Heisman contender in loss

Chuckie Keeton was phenomenal and I'm not even sure that describes his performance adequately enough. Think about the hype he has endured over the offseason being named to every award watch list, including the Heisman, and then coming out against Utah and putting up a performance like that?

Some critics point to the fact that Chuckie didn't put up the same big numbers against BYU, Wisconsin and Utah that he did against teams like Idaho, New Mexico State and Texas State.

Some critics mocked Keeton as a Heisman Trophy candidate, despite the fact that his name is on the Heisman Trophy watch list. He won over a lot of doubters with his performance against Utah.

He was efficient, completing 31-of-40 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns and, most importantly, no interceptions. He also added 85 yards rushing and a touchdown, and he made several plays that left you wondering how he did that.

He earned praise from Utah players and coaches after the game.

Keeton has the "it" factor.

When you have one of the best quarterbacks in the country you have a chance in every game you play. Utah State has that in Chuckie Keeton.

Another reason for optimism is the Mountain West looks to be down this year. Utah State may be entering the conference at the perfect time. Only three MWC teams won their season opener and only Fresno State beat an FBS team.

#poll

Boise State didn't look like the powerhouse they have been in the past in a 38-6 loss at Washington. Nevada was crushed 58-20 by UCLA. Then there was the embarrassing loss by San Diego State, which was picked to finish second in the West division — 40-19 to FCS Eastern Illinois. The results of week one leave you thinking that the race for a conference championship is wide open and the Aggies look to be just as talented as any team in the league.

While the Aggies have a very challenging non-conference schedule that includes Utah, BYU and USC they have a favorable conference schedule. They don't play Fresno State, San Diego State or Nevada in the regular season and they get Boise State at Romney Stadium in October.

Early conference road tests against Air Force and San Jose State will be tough but Vegas has the Aggies favored by 10 at Colorado Springs and they dismantled San Jose State on the road last season. Games against Utah, BYU and USC win or lose will only boost their confidence against Mountain West foes.

The real confidence builder comes this Saturday at Air Force. The Falcons are always tough to play early in the season, just ask BYU and Utah, but if the Aggies play assignment football and contain the Falcons option attack they should have no trouble taking care of business in Colorado Springs.

A win over Air Force could be the start of a championship run for Utah State in their first Mountain West season.

Related topics