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Logan • For a college football team with championship aspirations, the conference opener is one of the most important games it plays.
This year for Utah State, that's more true than usual.
Thanks to the Mountain West schedule-maker, the Aggies' game against Air Force on Saturday night at Maverik Stadium couldn't be bigger.
Here's why:
In the Mountain West, each team plays three "crossover" games against schools from the other six-team division.
Utah State's opponents from the West Division this year include San Diego State, Nevada and Fresno State. The Aztecs are nationally ranked and the heavy favorites to win the West, with the Wolf Pack considered their chief challenger.
Meanwhile, neither Mountain Division favorite — Boise State or Air Force — plays San Diego State or Nevada. Because of their crossover schedules, the Broncos and the Falcons have an easier path to the conference championship game than the Aggies.
As a result, Utah State probably can't afford an 0-1 start — not with extremely difficult Mountain West games against Boise State, San Diego State and Nevada still ahead.
Utah State coach Matt Wells is hopeful: "It will be a really good game. We're looking forward to it."
Beating the Falcons, of course, is never easy. They are the defending Mountain Division champions and have started the season with tune-up wins over Abilene Christian (37-21) and Georgia State (48-14).
"As I look at Air Force, it's a very successful program and a winning program," Wells said. "Those guys have experience in winning and they do a good job. I see a senior-laden, a senior-dominated team. … They're older, a very mature team on both sides of the ball."
The Falcons have taken advantage of their soft early schedule to put up huge numbers on offense. They led the nation in rushing (432.5) and rank fifth in total yards (565.5). They lead the Mountain West in scoring (42.5).
Utah State is 2-1. Last week, the Aggies built a 24-0 lead over Arkansas State before holding on for a 34-20 win.
Air Force had a bye.
Asked about the difficulty of playing the Falcons after their week off, Wells said, "… You'd have to ask them. Sometimes it comes at a time where you're kind of banged up and hurt — you've had some really physical, close games and it comes at a good time physically. Sometimes it can come at a time where you have a rhythm going and you're rolling and you're like, 'Dang, I don't want to get off schedule.' "
It's unknown whether Utah State's top running back, Devante Mays, will play. He was injured in the third quarter of USC's 45-7 win over the Aggies two weeks ago. He missed the Arkansas State game.
In Mays' place, junior Tony Lindsey Jr. ran for a career-high 98 yards and two touchdowns against the Red Wolves. Junior quarterback Kent Myers rushed 11 times for 63 yards, including 50 on the Aggies' clinching 91-yard drive in the final seven minutes.
"That game became really competitive in the fourth quarter," Wells said. "I was just proud of the way they finished down the stretch. They did a good job at keeping our cool and our composure."
With the relatively difficult conference schedule still ahead, the Aggies hope to move forward after the confidence-building victory.
"Finding ways to win is what's most important in a football season," Wells said. "In games that are close and competitive, you have to find ways to win. When you can find ways to win close games as the season goes on, you're going to have a really good year."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Air Force at Utah State
P At Maverik Stadium
Kickoff • 8:15 p.m.
TV • ESPNU
Radio • 610 AM, 1280 AM, 101.2 FM
Records • Utah State 2-1, Air Force 2-0
Series • Tied, 2-2
Last meeting • Air Force 35, Utah State 28 (2015)
About the Aggies • They have won 25 of their past 28 home games, including last week's 34-20 victory over Arkansas State. … Since joining the Mountain West, they are 18-6 in conference games. … They have scored on nine of 10 trips into the red zone this season. … Junior QB Kent Myers has played 19 games in his career. He's had a 15-yard run (or longer) in 12 of them. … They are last in the Mountain West in net punting (24.9).
About the Falcons • They are 1-4 in their last five Mountain West openers. …They did not play last week. … Under head coach Troy Calhoun, they are 3-5 after a bye, including a 33-11 loss to Navy last season. … Two weeks ago, they defeated Georgia State, 48-14. … It was their 14th straight win at home. … Georgia State managed just 169 yards of total offense and six first downs — the fewest by an Air Force opponent since 1966.