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Logan • For teams widely regarded as Mountain West title contenders, the stakes for Saturday's conference opener between Utah State and Colorado State can't be higher:
• Win and join the division race, probably for the rest of the season.
• Lose and fall a step behind, even before playing favored Boise State.
"Maybe there's a little more [significance] because it's a divisional game," Utah State coach Matt Wells said Monday. "… All the games count, of course. But this one counts a shade more — maybe — because it's head-to-head in your division."
Coming off a bye, Wells believes the Aggies are ready for a spirited effort.
"We're refreshed mentally and physically," he said. "Our guys will be energized and ready to go. … [They] know what time it is now, getting into league play."
Utah State is 1-2 so far, including a 12-9 win over Southern Utah and competitive-but-unsuccessful outings against Pac-12 opponents Utah (24-14) and Washington (31-17).
Colorado State's non-conference season has been similar.
The Rams are 2-2. They defeated Savannah State (65-13) and Texas-San Antonio (33-31) — teams with a combined record of 0-7. But they lost in overtime to Power 5 conference members Minnesota (23-20) and Colorado (27-24).
The Aggies and Rams have played four straight years — unusual in this era of conference shuffling and unbalanced schedules. Each team has won twice, including Colorado State's 16-13 victory last season in Fort Collins.
"This is a team we know a lot about, from a personnel standpoint," Wells said. "… I have a lot of respect for them. The games we've played against them [lately] have gone down to the wire."
Former Georgia assistant Mike Bobo is Colorado State's new head coach, although the Rams are playing much like last year under Jim McElwain. He's now at Florida.
"You don't see a whole lot of changes on what they've been doing, from the last staff to this staff," Wells said. "Coach Bobo is doing a good job of playing to their strengths."
Offensively, Colorado State starts sophomore Nick Stevens at quarterback. He has thrown for 877 yards and nine touchdowns in the first four games.
"Stevens, we know a lot about," Wells said. "We recruited him. He's a steady quarterback. It does not surprise me to see him have success like he's had. I'm happy for him. He's got a steady hand. He's very consistent."
The Rams' most dangerous weapon is senior receiver Rashard Higgins. Despite missing the Minnesota game with an injury, he has 20 receptions for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
Against Utah State last season, Higgins caught 10 passes for 187 yards.
"He's a tremendous talent," Wells said. "… He makes the key catch. He makes the acrobatic catch. He make the impossible catch. A year ago, I thought we had guys draped all over him and he's [still] making catches. He's got our respect. He's got our players' respect. He's a very good player."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Mountain West opener
P Utah State opens its Mountain West Conference season Saturday against Colorado State at Maverik Stadium.
• Coming off a bye, the Aggies are 1-2. Colorado State is 2-2, including overtime losses to Minnesota and Colorado.
• The Rams are led by All-American receiver Rashard Higgins. He caught 10 passes against Utah State last season. —
Colorado State at Utah State
Saturday, 5 p.m.
TV: None
Online: ESPN3