San Diego State had a week off digest and discard its 6-0 shutout loss to previously-winless Nevada.
Utah State also had a week off to ponder life after back-to-back losses to Fresno State (37-32) and San Jose State (42-21) followed a then-encouraging win over Colorado State (44-24).
As such, both SDSU (3-5, 1-3 MW) and Utah State (3-5, 1-3) come into this week’s Mountain West game with identical overall and conference records.
The teams last met on the field in the 2021 Mountain West championship game, which the Aggies won 46-13 at Carson’s Dignity Health Sports Park The Aztecs lead the overall series 13-3.
Utah State is a 2 1/2-point favorite in a game that kicks off Saturday at 4 p.m. (Fox Sports 2) at Snapdragon Stadium.
About the Aggies
Everything fell into place for Utah State two years ago. Blake Anderson took over as head coach, then guided the Aggies to a win over SDSU for the Mountain West championship and a victory over Oregon State in the inaugural LA Bowl.
Utah State’s 11-3 record earned it No. 24 in the final AP poll, just the third time the program finished in the top 25 in 60 seasons.
The Aggies didn’t approach such success last season, though they did reach six wins to qualify for their 10th bowl game in 11 full seasons. They lost 38-10 to Memphis in the First Responder Bowl, giving them a 6-7 record for the first time since 2017.
The Aggies were picked for eighth place in a preseason Mountain West poll, so there were not great expectations coming into the season.
Utah State plays Nevada, Boise State and New Mexico after the Aztecs and gaining bowl eligibility remains a reasonable goal.
The offense
Utah State leads the Mountain West with the nation’s 21st-ranked scoring offense (35.2 ppg), although the Aggies have been plagued by slow starts.
Utah State has produced just two touchdowns and a field in the first quarter, getting outscored 105-17 in the opening period. The Aggies have outscored opponents in every other quarter of games, holding a 265-167 scoring advantage across the other three quarters.
Senior Cooper Legas (101-for-153, 1,338 yards, 13 TDs/6 INTs) opened the season as Utah State’s starting quarterback, but was replaced by true freshman quarterback McCae Hillstead (69-for-119, 890 yards, 10 TDs/7 INTs) after the Aggies lost two of their first three games.
Aggies coach Blake Anderson questioned Legas’ pocket presence in making the switch.
Hillstead has put up solid stats, although nearly half the numbers came in Utah State’s Week 3 loss to James Madison. Hillstead completed 25 of 47 passes for 399 yards and four touchdowns with three interceptions in the game.
He missed two games with a concussion before returning against San Jose State and playing inconsistently.
Anderson hasn’t settled on a starter for this game. During Monday’s weekly press conference, Anderson said: “Both guys have had that unforced turnover that we cannot overcome. I’ve been really clear with both that neither are playing at the level that they can. I think both can play better.”
Whichever QB gets the call, Anderson said there will be a “short leash” before he goes to the bullpen.
Between the two quarterbacks, Utah State has averaged 287.4 yards a game passing, which ranks 22nd in the country.
It helps having plenty of talent at the skill positions.
Junior Jalen Royals (43 catches, 707 yards, 10 /TDs) and senior Terrell Vaughn (56 catches 639 yards, 8 TDs) make the Aggies one of only two teams in the nation —LSU is the other — with two receivers who have at least eight TD catches. Junior wide receiver Micah Davis (25 catches, 478 yards, 5 TDs) also is a threat.
Utah State balances the offense with a rushing attack averaging 163.8 yards a game.
Junior running backs Davon Booth (84 carries, 489 yards, 4 TDs) and Rahsul Faison (52 carries, 370 yards, 3 TDs) lead the way.
The defense
Utah State’s 16 takeaways (eight interceptions, eight fumble recoveries) leads the conference and ranks 13th in the nation. It hasn’t been more impactful because the offense has 17 giveaways (13 interceptions).
Also, despite getting turnovers, the Aggies have been giving up plenty of points.
They rank 119th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 34 points a game.
Senior linebacker MJ Tafisi’s 82 tackles puts him well ahead of sophomore safety Ike Larsen and junior safety Anthony Switzer, who each have 62 tackles. Tafisi leads the MW with 10.4 tackles a game.
Larsen leads the team with three interceptions, along with five pass breakups. Junior defensive end Blaine Spires has a team-high three fumble recoveries.
Utah State hasn’t gotten to the quarterback as well as opponents, trailing 23-15 in sacks, although the Aggies have applied pressure, leading opponents 30-24 in QB hurries.
Redshirt freshman defensive end Paul Fitzgerald’s four sacks make him most successful at getting to the QB.
