Logan • Utah State is playing at Oklahoma on Saturday in Norman. That's been talked about for weeks, among the madness of conference realignment.

Now that the time for the Aggies to take on the Sooners is almost here, can USU compete?

Not many people think so, which is why Utah State is a heavy underdog. But don't say that to the players on USU's roster. For them, it's time to step into the spotlight.

"We're going down there to play hard and to play well," junior linebacker Bobby Wagner said. "We're not going to lay down for anybody."

Oklahoma, heading into today, is ranked seventh in the nation. The Sooners sport Landry Jones at quarterback, who stepped in for Sam Bradford last season when he went down with a shoulder injury against Brigham Young University.

In his stead, Jones was uneven at times. But during other times, he showed the big arm and the potential to be one of the better quarterbacks in the Big 12.

Then there's DeMarco Murray, one of the best running backs in the country, and one who can cause headaches for an Aggie defense that's still unproven under Gary Andersen. When you add in a receiver corps that's deep and athletic, a big offensive line and playmakers everywhere, it's easy to see why Andersen considers this game such a difficult challenge for his team.

"We have to limit the big play," Andersen said. "What I worry about is this team getting into space, their wide receivers getting into space. We can't have that, or it's going to be a long afternoon for us."

Utah State knows that the defense has the potential to struggle, and that the defense has a big task ahead of it. But the Aggies come into the season boasting an explosive offense, the playmaking ability of Diondre Borel and a deep stable of wideouts that provides Borel with a multitude of targets.

But can the Aggies run the football?

Without Robert Turbin, it's difficult to say. Senior Michael Smith will get the start, with sophomore Kerwynn Williams sure to amass plenty of carries. But with an inexperienced, yet talented, offensive line and the uncertainty surrounding Turbin's absence, it's a fair question.

"We know that we're going to have to go in there and execute if we want to have a chance to compete in this game," senior running back Derrvin Speight said. "We're confident that we can do it. We just have to go and show it."

If USU is confident going into this game, it's on an island by itself. With Oklahoma gunning for its 800th win as a program, it's universally thought that the Sooners will have an easy time. It's up to the Aggies, in their season opener, to prove otherwise.

tjones@sltrib.com

On twitter: @tonyaggieville —

Utah State at Oklahoma

P At Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Okla.

Kickoff • 5 p.m. MDT

TV • Fox Sports Pay Per View

Radio • 610 AM

Series record • Oklahoma leads 4-0

Last game • Oklahoma 54-3 (2007)

About Utah State • A win over Oklahoma would be USU's first over a top-10 opponent. … Tariq Polley, a starting offensive lineman, won't play due to injury. … Utah State enters the season looking for a bowl game berth. … USU is 9-41-1 all-time against Big 12 opponents.

About Oklahoma • Is hoping for its 800th win as a program. … DeMarco Murray is the lone Sooner on the current roster to score in the 2007 game, the last time the two teams played. … This will be Bob Stoops' 12th year as head coach. … The Sooners have opened at home in 10 of those seasons.