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"It wasn't pretty," Utah State coach Matt Wells said last Thursday after his team had finished scratching out a 12-9 win over FCS opponent Southern Utah. "I'm not going to try to put lipstick on a pig."
Neither will the Utah Utes, who have seen some film of USU's victory. It wasn't impressive. It was often downright ugly. The Aggies needed some breaks to win.
But Utah also isn't counting on the pig showing up this Friday, when the Aggies take the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
"We're positive we're going to see a whole different Utah State team than what showed up on film, at least offensively Thursday night," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "They played us exceptionally well when they beat us three years back or whenever it was. We are fully aware we'll have our hands full."
It might seem a bit of an overstatement for a series that Utah is 21-3 in since 1988, but the recent games have been competitive. The Utes lost in overtime in Logan in 2012, and the next year Utah ended up running out the clock in a 30-26 shootout in Salt Lake City.
The USU quarterback in both games, Chuckie Keeton, will again be starting on Friday. But the senior, who is close to setting a number of program records, was leading an offense that wasn't in stellar form against the Thunderbirds last week. USU finished with only 250 yards against SUU, was hit with 11 penalties, and was 1-for-15 on third downs. They punted 14 times.
But other numbers are worth noting: Utah State also allowed only 163 yards on defense, and came up with 5 sacks. Particularly at issue is a defensive front seven that includes standout linebackers Nick Vigil and Kyler Fackrell, going against a Utah offensive line that wasn't exactly perfect last week either.
Whittingham cited that Utah needed to improve its rushing game (only 69 yards for Devontae Booker) and get better use of its outside receivers in the passing game. Both should be tough goals against a salty USU defense led by former Utah graduate assistant Kevin Clune.
"This team knows we're going to get [Utah State's] best shot," quarterback Travis Wilson said. "We're going to be ready to play. I know they're probably frustrated and pissed off after their last game, so we know they're going to be ready Friday."
Utah State's depth has been hurt by the offseason departure of receiver Jojo Natson, the suspension of several key players, and an auto collision over the summer that sent several Aggies to the hospital. Keeton is also coming off his second straight season-ending injury, and the third in his career.
But one of their former teammates, now-Ute lineman Jason Fanaika, suspects even the off-track offense will find a way to compete come Friday. The SUU film may quickly become obsolete.
"When you have a guy like [Keeton], he's dangerous because he can turn his team around," he said. "A guy like that on the other side of the ball is definitely a motivation."
Justin Thomas earns all-conference nod
He saved Utah's bacon on a momentum-turning pick-six against Michigan, giving him the inside track on Pac-12 defender of the week.
But Whittingham, who was pleased to hear of nickel back Justin Thomas earning a conference-wide nod, thought the recognition was a long time coming.
"Like a great long snapper, as long you don't screw up, you go unnoticed," Whittingham said. "He has his guy covered so often that he doesn't get a lot of action at times. It's great to see him get that award."
Thomas' interception against Michigan was his first as a Ute, despite starting since his freshman year. Receiver Britain Covey pointed out that Thomas jumped a route identical to the one Covey himself ran and nearly scored a touchdown on.
"That route is so tough to guard," Covey said. "Turn on the film, and you'll see Justin is a master at it."
Evan Moeai done for the year
For the second straight year, senior tight end Evan Moeai has been lost for the season in the first few minutes of the first game.
The Utah County native is officially done, Whittingham said, after sustaining a "lower leg injury" on a 5-yard catch in his first action since Idaho State in 2014. Siale Fakailoatonga, listed as a co-starter with Moeai throughout camp, took the spot of top tight end on the weekly depth chart, backed by Harrison Handley.
Moeai is in his fifth year of football after transferring to Utah from Snow College, so he would need to apply for a medical hardship waiver for a sixth year of eligibility.
"He has indicated that he wants to pursue that," Whittingham said. "So we will do everything in our power to get him a sixth year. It should be close to a slam dunk."
In other injury updates, Kyle Whittingham confirmed Utah had dressed receiver Tim Patrick in the hopes he could play against Michigan, "but it didn't work out." Patrick might play this week against Utah State.
Twitter: @kylegoon