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BYU and Utah State meet Saturday for a in-state rivalry battle that's lost a bit of its luster the last few weeks, but still has implications for both teams. Both the Cougars and the Aggies are on the outside looking in for a chance at a "New Years Six" bowl, but BYU's hopes for a 10-win season would stay alive with a victory and USU could claim two straight over their rivals to the south with a win. Here's a position-by-position look at this week's matchup and which team will have the edge heading into Saturday's game:
Quarterback
Tanner Mangum ends his fantastic freshman season in this rivalry matchup after picking up the reins from Taysom Hill and leading the Cougars to 17 touchdowns and 2,778 yards through the air. Mangum put up 336 yards on 24 completions and a touchdown against Fresno State, his sixth game this year with at least 250 yards passing. Utah State's pass defense has been stout this season in the Mountain West with the Aggies allowing only 171 yards passing per game and 11 touchdowns this year. It'll be strength against strength as Mangum tries to move the ball against Utah State.
The Aggies are still unsettled at quarterback for this game, with either Kent Myers or Chuckie Keeton set to start under center. Myers went out last week with a shoulder injury, leaving Keeton to orchestrate a comeback victory for the Aggies over Nevada. Keeton finished the game with 109 yards passing and an interception, while Myers has led the team after Keeton's injury troubles early in the season. Regardless of who starts, Mangum has an edge in this one.
Edge: BYU
Running back
Following an ugly rushing performance against Missouri's tough defensive front, the Cougars rebounded last week against Fresno State. Algie Brown led the team with 97 yards rushing and a touchdown, bringing his season total to 629 yards and 10 scores on the ground. Utah State is still in the top half of the Mountain West in terms of rush defense, but has given up 24 touchdowns and 164 yards per game to opposing rushers this season. BYU has a decent matchup here and will need Brown's physicality against a strong Aggie defense.
Devante Mays had his second best effort of the season against a shoddy Fresno State defensive front, racking up 133 yards and a pair of scores on 22 carries. Utah State is still in the bottom half of the Mountain West in terms of yardage with 165 yards per game and has a rough matchup this week against BYU's 36th best rushing defense in the nation. The Cougars have a slight edge in this category.
Edge: BYU
Wide receivers
Towering freshman receiver Moroni Laulu-Pututau broke out against Fresno State for 95 yards on only three catches against Fresno State, again showing the depth of BYU's receivers. The Cougars have five different receivers with at least 400 yards receiving, led by Mitch Mathews, who brought his season total to 571 yards and nine touchdowns against the Bulldogs. Utah State has the ninth best pass defense in the nation, but the variety and depth of BYU's receiving corps should test the Aggies.
Hunter Sharp led Utah State with seven catches for 51 yards against Nevada, furthering Utah State's middling pass offense for another week. If Keeton starts, the Aggies could be in trouble as he's topped 250 yards passing only once this year. Myers has been significantly better, topping the 200 yard mark four times this season, but his injury may hold him out. BYU has a clear firepower advantage here.
Edge: BYU
Offensive line
BYU's offensive line protected Mangum well against Fresno State, giving up only one sack. The Cougars have given up 26 sacks this year and face a Utah State team stuck directly in the middle of the Mountain West with 23 sacks this season. Mangum has done a good job of avoiding pressure this year and the Cougars should be in good shape to protect him this week.
The Aggies have done a great job of protecting their quarterbacks this season, surrendering only 14 for a third place ranking in the Mountain West behind New Mexico and Air Force, which are skewed at the top of the list as triple option teams. Bronson Kaufusi was a monster last week against Fresno State and poses a huge challenge for Utah State, but the Aggies have an advantage here.
Edge: Utah State
Defensive line and linebackers
Kaufusi was absolutely dominant last week, wrecking Fresno State to the tune of three sacks and four tackles for loss. He's gotten stronger as the season has progressed, bringing his total to 16 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and 53 total tackles. The Cougars have 35 sacks as a whole and should be able to garner some pressure against Keeton or Myers despite USU's fantastic offensive line play.
Utah State brought Nevada's quarterback down only once last week, bring the Aggies' total to 23 for the season. Nick Vigil and Kyler Fackrell continue to produce for the Aggies, turning in another combined 23 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss to bring their season total to 204 combined tackles, 26 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Both teams are stout in the front seven, leaving this category as a stalemate.
Edge: Even
Secondary
The Cougars feasted on an anemic Fresno State passing game last week, allowing only 190 yards through the air and nabbing three interceptions. Kai Nacua added two more picks to bring his season total to six and the Cougars have the 28th best efficiency rating in the country in terms of pass defense. BYU is set up for success this week against a struggling Keeton or an ailing Myers and should be able to bottle up USU's passing game.
The Aggies hang their hat on the secondary, allowing the ninth best passing yards in the nation with only 171 per game this season. USU held Nevada to a paltry 55 yards passing on only eight completed pass attempts and are holding opposing quarterbacks to only 54.5 percent passing per game. Mangum has his work cut out for him this week and will have to spread the ball around to keep Utah State off balance defensively. This matchup is too close to call.
Edge: Even
Prediction: This is a tough rivalry matchup between two teams trying to finish the season strong. BYU's passing offense under Mangum will be the difference in this game. The Cougars win this one 27-20.