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Fort Collins, Colo. • As the Utah State Aggies delve into their Mountain West schedule, they are careful to not put any more emphasis on one game or another.

They all matter equally, they say, and the last thing they want to do is underestimate an opponent and lose because of it.

That won't be a problem Saturday.

It's hard for even the Aggies to deny Saturday's game at Colorado State has a little edge to it. The Rams have played like the Mountain West division contender they was expected to be, with their only loss a 37-24 defeat to Boise State.

"They're a few plays from possibly being 6-0," Utah State coach Matt Wells said. "I think coach [Jim] McElwain and that staff are having their year."

If the Aggies can take care of business Saturday, they should be in good shape going into the showdown with the Broncos at the end of the season, assuming they don't have any unforeseen missteps along the way.

"We have to get after it," quarterback Darell Garretson said. "This could be a game, in the end, where it could decide the Mountain Division."

Last year's game was a punt-fest, with the teams combining for 17. The Aggies had just 148 yards of offense, including just 43 yards passing, their lowest total since the 2010 season.

Garretson hopes he and the Aggies can have a better showing Saturday, remembering that poor offensive showing.

"We really had to lean on the run game a lot that day, especially with windy conditions," he said. "It just wasn't a good day overall. I think that's one thing we can relate to and go back to and say, 'let's make sure this doesn't happen again. Let's get off the ball.'"

The Aggies are feeling much better about the offense after the last two games in which they averaged 34.5 points and 422.5 yards of offense. However, they also know CSU has improved with Garrett Grayson throwing for 1,823 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.

"They're doing a lot of stuff with him," Wells said. "To me it looks like they're doing more in the passing game and giving him a lot more responsibility. He has been very consistent."

The Rams have been running more of a spread offense this season, but Utah State still feels good about its chances with its defense, particularly the way the Aggies have been hauling in turnovers lately.

The Aggies have forced 19 turnovers in their last five games and believe they can dictate play with another good showing Saturday.

"This is going to be our biggest test for sure," safety Frankie Sutera said. "They're the hottest team in the Mountain West, in my opinion. This is going to be a big test for us."

The Aggies hope by the end of the night, they are claiming to be the hottest team in the league.

"They'll get their plays in, we'll get our plays in and it will be a battle," Wells said. "It was a battle last year and the year before. I've got no reason to think it would be anything less." —

Utah State at Colorado State

O At Fort Collins, Colo.

TV • CBS Sports Network. Radio • 610 AM

Records • Utah State (4-2, 1-0), CSU (5-1, 1-1)

Series history • CSU leads 36-32-2

Last meeting • USU won, 13-0, Nov. 23, 2013

About the Aggies • The Aggies have won 11 straight conference road games, including four in a row in the MWC…The defense has forced 19 turnovers in the last five games and has scored three touchdowns…Zach Vigil ranks first in the league and tied for seventh in tackles for loss (1.67 pg)…Darell Garretson is 77-of-116 passing for 1,008 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions.

About the Rams •The Rams' loss was a 37-24 decision to Boise State…Rams are 17-15-1 against USU in Fort Collins…Dee Hart leads the team in rushing with 543 yards on 84 carries for five touchdowns while QB Garrett Grayson is 131-of-207 passing for 1,823 yards and 16 touchdowns and five interceptions…Coached by Jim McElwain who is 17-15 in his third season.