What To Expect From BYU vs Utah State

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I really, really don’t like the Aggies from Utah State. I take more cheap shots at Logan, dairy farms and moral victories then I do about anyone else in college football. I just don’t like Utah State. For me, this is one of my favorite games on the year.

BYU will be wearing their royal blue tribute jerseys and the University will honor the great Jim McMahon during the game. BYU is looking to continue their undefeated record and keep moving their way up the polls. There are a lot of reasons that everyone should be as excited as I am for this game.

Sep 13, 2014; Logan, UT, USA; Utah State Aggies quarterback Chuckie Keeton (16) warming up prior to the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Romney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

By most accounts, this game isn’t going to be much of a game. Star quarterback Chuckie Keeton won’t be playing for Utah State and stud linebacker Kyler Fackrell is also out of the year. Utah State is coming into this game hobbling and BYU will be getting a handful of their biggest stars back on the field this week. Given the excitement of the McMahon ceremony, the royal jerseys and the amount of momentum that BYU has on their side, I think this game will be over by halftime.

So if the game isn’t going to be great, what should we look for during the game? There are a lot of important things that BYU needs to work on to get ready for this game. There are a lot of things that need to be worked out before BYU heads back on the road next week.

1. How will Bronson Kaufusi change BYU’s pass rush?

Oct 25, 2013; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi (90) between plays during the second half against the Boise State Broncos at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Brigham Young won 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

BYU’s pass rush against Houston and Virginia left a lot to be desired. Both John O’Korn and Greyson Lambert had what felt like all day to find an open receiver in the last couple of weeks. During Kaufusi’s absence, teams were able to focus on scheming around Alani Fua and nobody else really came close to filling in for Kaufusi. Kaufusi is back this week against the Aggies so how will that change BYU’s pass rush?

Utah State’s offensive line has been shaky this season and now BYU will be able to line up two elite pass rushers on either side of the ball. If the Cougars don’t have multiple sacks by the end of the night, it will be a big disappointment.

2. How will Nick Kurtz change BYU’s passing game?

Taysom Hill has looked good in the passing game. He hasn’t looked great, but he’s looked good. He’s been more efficient so far this season and has found a number of different receivers. As good as he’s been, he hasn’t had much of a deep threat at all. The two longest passes of the season were a 56 yard pass to Devon Blackmon that came on a broken play and featured a lot of yards after the catch and a 50 yard pass on a broken play to Mitchell Juergens. Other than that, BYU’s longest pass is 38 yards.

Nick Kurtz turned down the likes of Oregon, USC and LSU to come to BYU. The guy can play and BYU’s offense needs him. I don’t expect him to have 200 yards and 5 touchdowns, but I do expect BYU to give him opportunities down the field. I don’t know what his stat line is going to be at the end of the game, but I do expect him to be at least the threat that BYU needs.

3. The offensive line

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Brock Stringham announced on his Instagram that he is no longer playing football. Ryker Matthews and Brayden Kearsley are both back for BYU tomorrow. The starting offensive line and then the rotations thereafter will be something to keep an eye on. Even though Fackrell won’t be playing for Utah State, the Vigil brothers are still talented linebackers that spend a lot of time in the offensive backfield.

4. How will Christian Stewart look?

I think by the end of the game we’ll see Christian Stewart under center. Now, he’s obviously not going the air it out when he comes in because if he plays it’s because it’s a blowout. But hopefully we’ll get to see a little bit of his arm and see what kind of quarterback is backing up Taysom Hill.

5. Will LaVell Edwards Stadium finally sell out?

If this game isn’t a sell out, then I don’t know that BYU will have another sell out again. Royal jerseys, Jim McMahon, in-state rival, Friday night with no work or school the next day and free shirts for everyone in the stadium. BYU is pulling out all the stops to try and get this game sold out. If there are still empty seats in the end zones, then it’s time to just accept that fans would rather watch on TV than in person. I am confident that this will be the most attended home game this year, but I’m not as confident that it will be an actual sell out.

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