BYU Cougars vs. Utah State Aggies: Complete Game Preview
After a bye week for both teams, BYU and Utah State will continue their annual series with a Friday night showdown in Provo. The Cougars won last year's matchup 31-14 in Logan and will look to extend their winning streak against USU.
BYU has won all four of its games this season, including impressive victories over Texas and Virginia. Utah State has struggled since its star quarterback Chuckie Keeton was injured and sits with a 2-2 record.
For a "rivalry" that is seemingly starting to take flight, here is a complete preview of the BYU-Utah State game.
Date: Friday, October 3
Time: 8:15 p.m. MDT
Place: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
TV: ESPN
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)
Spread: BYU -21
BYU's Keys to Victory
Execute a Successful Rushing Offense
BYU has been successful in gaining yards on the ground this season but has not yet faced a rushing defense like Utah State's. The Aggies are tied for fourth (with Michigan State) in the FBS in rushing yards allowed per game.
Jamaal Williams and the BYU run game will have a tough task on Friday night but will have to win the rushing battle in order to win the game. They average over 230 rushing yards per contest and will need to have a big night.
Disrupt Utah State's Passing Game
Even without Keeton, the Aggies have managed to tally over 200 passing yards per game this season. BYU gave up 327 yards to Virginia two weeks ago and will need to prevent that from happening against USU.
BYU's secondary has looked less than impressive at multiple parts of this season, but with a bye week behind it, one can only hope for better results.
Wear White Pants with the Royal Uniforms
Laugh if you want, but BYU is 2-0 since 1999 when wearing white pants and royal tops; it's 0-1 with royal pants. And for fashion's sake, it looks a million times better.
Utah State's Keys to Victory
Keep BYU's Offense Off the Field
Utah State averages over 30 minutes of possession time per game, which is better than a lot of teams, but it will need better than that to beat BYU. The Cougars' high-tempo offense will score when given the chance and could pose problems for USU.
Virginia hung in the game by keeping its offense on the field and keeping BYU's off it. If Utah State can almost mimic Virginia's game plan, it will have a better chance at pulling off an upset.
Play Mistake-Free Football on Special Teams
At this point of the season, arguably BYU's best unit is its special teams. The Cougs rank first in the FBS in net punting and fourth in kickoff returns.
Special teams is a consistently underrated aspect of football, and if Utah State treats it as anything less than an opportunity to gain game-changing momentum, it could kill its chance at winning.
Cougars Players to Watch
Taysom Hill (QB)
Want a fun experiment to try? Watch BYU's game Friday night, and every time the Cougars offense takes the field, try not to watch Taysom Hill. You probably won't last for a single possession.
Hill is the type of player you don't need to remind yourself to keep an eye on—it's harder not to. He averages 326 total yards per game and is a quarterback most college teams would love to have.
Bronson Kaufusi (LB)
After sitting out two games with a high ankle sprain, Bronson Kaufusi will be back on the field Friday. The 6'7" lineman-turned-linebacker is tied for 12th in the FBS in sacks per game and will be a difference-maker for the Cougs.
Aggies Players to Watch
Nick and Zach Vigil (LBs)
As one of the most dominant pairs of linebackers in the country, Nick and Zach Vigil have starred on the Utah State defense this season. The two brothers both rank in the top 50 in total tackles—40 and 37, respectively—and could pose problems for BYU's offense.
Darell Garretson (QB)
With Chuckie Keeton likely out for the season, backup quarterback Darell Garretson has been solid as USU's indefinite starter. He set a school record by winning his first five career starts last season and may be a surprise to BYU's defense.
Prediction
In a lot of ways, Utah State may be as good as any team BYU has faced all season. It will likely hang around for the first quarter, maybe longer, but I don't see BYU breaking away any later than the third quarter.
The Cougars passing offense will prove to be too much for Utah State's secondary, and if they can establish the run game as well, BYU should pull away early in the second half.
Prediction: BYU wins, 42-17