This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
If you want to know what to expect out of the USU football team, then pay attention this week, because it's about to get very real for the Aggies. The Aggies have a jam-packed week ahead with two-a-days and two scrimmages planned. Today and Thursday's practices are from 9:15-11:15 a.m. and from 4:55-6:25 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday the Aggies scrimmage in Romney Stadium starting at 6 p.m. Friday's practice is from 2:15-4:15 and is the designated Football Family Fun Day. So what are we looking for this week? The Aggies have been vocal about building the 'culture' of the team, showing the newcomers how hard they must work to be successful so they understand winning isn't automatic. To me, nothing instills that in players like the efforts of two-a-days. Who can hold up under the physical demands? Who can stay mentally engaged? How will the surgically repaired knees of Chuckie Keeton and Joe Hill respond to the long hours? Those are all the things to track. As for the scrimmages, they will give us a good idea of how the communication is developing in the offensive line as well as how Keeton's timing is with his receivers in more live situations. We'll also watch and see if the young running backs continue their solid play and if Devin Centers can continue his habit of snagging interceptions in every practice. The tight ends deserve some attention too. Lots to look forward to this week. Let the battles begin, we say.