USU football is hosting a key matchup in Logan
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After getting beaten and badly bruised against Boise State, USU returns to the friendly confines of Maverik Stadium to host the San Diego State Aztecs. The Aggies still have plenty of questions to answer regarding their offense after it sputtered on the blue turf last week. New QB Jason Shelley is still an unknown quantity for the Aggies, but RB Jaylen Warren may give the team a fighting chance against a stout Aztec defense.
For San Diego State, it’s a game about determining if their win over an inferior UNLV squad portends well for the rest of their season or if their offensive prowess is overstated. QB Carson Baker was unspectacular but nonetheless efficient against the Rebels’ D last week. The Aztecs always have a solid running game, and this year appears to be no exception with RB Chance Bell leading the way.
Special attention should be paid to not only how USU responds after a grueling loss, but whether SDSU can keep up its historical defensive excellence with the departure of Rocky Long to New Mexico. New head coach Brady Hoke is well-versed and steeped in Aztec football tradition, yet he has little experience as a head coach.
This game is going to come down to if the Aggie offense can put together a respectable game plan. If the same offense that showed up in Boise rears its ugly head again, SDSU’s defense will easily suffocate it. Conversely, the Aztec run game will wear down the Aggie D if the Aggie offense consistently goes 3-and-out. If the Aggies establish a consistent run game and Shelly can get the ball to his receivers, this game will turn into a slugfest and the home team will have a solid chance of scraping out a win over a historically superior football team.
WEEK 9: Utah State Aggies (0-1) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (1-0)
WHEN: Saturday, October 31tst, 2020 – 7:30 PM MST/6:30 PM PST
WHERE: Maverik Stadium; Logan, UT (25,100)
TV: CBS Sports Network
STREAMING: FuboTV – Get a 7-day free trial
RADIO: Utah State radio broadcast on 1280 The Zone (1280 AM), 1280thezone.com / Tunein.com
GAME NOTES: Utah State | San Diego State
ODDS (via ESPN): San Diego State -8.5
SERIES RECORD: San Diego State leads the series 12-2. In last year’s matchup, USU got just their second all-time victory against the Aztecs, winning 23-17. USU has never defeated the Aztecs in Logan.
