[jwplayer uAXGkPyW-sNi3MVSU]
Whether or not Jordan Love plays, Aggie senior day looks like another blowout
Aggies look to earn ninth straight victory, move further up national rankings
Utah State’s biggest key to victory? Just don’t be terrible
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One of the hottest new rivalries in sports will be on full display this afternoon in Logan, as red-hot Utah State once again faces its greatest nemesis — the constraints of mercy preventing the Aggie offense from dropping 100 on defenseless conference foes.
To San Jose State’s credit, the Spartans have managed to rebound from last year’s stint as potentially the worst football team ever created to now boast a few playmakers and a few close calls against teams they should have no business competing with. SJSU is on a trajectory toward no longer being a conference doormat — and honestly, more power to them — but today’s game will likely be a swift butt-kicking even if the Aggies roll with their backup quarterback.
Oh, yeah, about that…
Jordan Love might take it easy today
There are rumblings that Aggie field general Jordan Love will sit this game out as a precaution, following a hit on the ground last week that may have resulted in a concussion. Whether Love is truly in concussion protocol or simply being extra-cautious remains a mystery for the moment.
It’s unlikely the Aggie coaching staff would deactivate Love out of sheer disrespect for SJSU, a team that has surprised conference foes already with a pair of close calls — It was the poor Spartans who lost 44-41 to Hawaii in that OT thriller early in the year, and more recently gave SDSU a run for its money before falling 16-13.
It’s entirely possible Love starts today, adds to his 19 TD, 2,185-yard season and wraps up his player of the week honors by halftime (again), but don’t be shocked if backup QB Henry Colombi steps in to direct traffic.
Colombi is a capable backup, completing 33-of-40 passes this year with no touchdowns or interceptions. He’s not Jordan Love, but he’s had the game experience to step in and make throws against a soft SJSU secondary — particularly at home.
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The Aggies don’t necessarily need a QB anyway
With how brilliant RBs Gerold Bright and Darwin Thompson have been, the Aggies could go full-wildcat on the Spartans and still probably post a senior day win.
Thompson has 702 yards and 13 TDs this year on less than 100 carries, while Bright boasts 7 TDs and 634 yards as the Aggie ground game has successfully found a groove allowing both players to do damage every Saturday. Both rushed for 100+ yards last week against Hawaii, contributing to the Aggies’ season-best 426 yards on the ground en route to a 56-17 beatdown.
San Jose will need to find a way to not look like a bottom-25 rush defense today if it wants to remain competitive by halftime.
SJSU’s passing game is pretty okay
The Spartans have a Love of their own — Josh Love earned SJSU its first win of the year two weeks ago, throwing four touchdowns to four different receivers and humbling UNLV 50-37. Of course, UNLV’s defense is awful and the Spartans scored just nine points the following week in Wyoming, but the point remains.
If there is a scenario where SJSU hangs with Utah State, it will include Josh Love finding receivers wide open deep downfield. Against the Rebels, Love averaged 9.3 yards per completion. The junior has a decent arm, but may struggle getting OL help as he’s taken 18 sacks this year — and hasn’t yet faced Tipa Galeai.
Prediction
Coach Wells makes sure to play every available senior and gets multiple guys in the end zone today for a solid sendoff. The defense forces a pair of turnovers and converts one of them for six. Aggies in a landslide.
USU 100, SJSU 0
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