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Logan • USC, Wisconsin, Auburn, Oklahoma, Texas A&M.

The list of high-profile schools which have played Utah State in recent years and escaped with narrow victories is a Who's Who in College Football.

On Saturday, the Aggies try again.

Utah State visits USC for the first time since a 17-14 loss in 2013. The Trojans are 16-point favorites, but long odds rarely prevent the Aggies from being ultra-competitive against Power 5 conference opponents.

"We're tired of coming close, we really are," senior defensive end Ricky Ali'ifua said. "We want to be able to finish games and finish teams. Sometimes it comes down to one or two plays in the fourth quarter. Coach always tells us that that's all we need. We need a chance to win in the fourth quarter. Make a few plays and we'll come out victorious."

Three years ago, Ali'ifua was a freshman.

He was "mostly a fan" the last time the Aggies played the Trojans but believes his experience will help Utah State in the rematch.

"To be quite honest, this time I'm coming for blood," he said. "… I'm much older, more mature and I'm ready for this. This is what I've been waiting for, this is what I've trained for, this is what all of us have trained for in the off-season — to play in big games like this and perform at a high level, to execute and to win."

On Sept. 21, 2013, the Aggies, quarterbacked by Chuckie Keeton, struggled against the Trojan defense. They managed only 285 yards of total offense and 13 first downs. They were 5-for-17 on third down.

Defensively, however, Utah State stood toe-to-toe with USC and didn't blink. Trojan quarterback Cody Kessler completed 13 of 27 passes for only 164 yards.

"Their defensive line was relentless and they put a lot of pressure on me," Kessler said at the time. "It was old-time smash-mouth football."

Matt Wells was four games into his job as Utah State's head coach when the Aggies lost at USC. A 37-yard field goal that bounced off the upright in the first quarter turned out to be a huge play in Utah State's near-miss.

"Honestly, it [wasn't] frustration but a missed opportunity," Wells said. "… I remember it like it was yesterday and I remember many things about it — not only pregame but during the game. I remember how well we played on defense. We were gang-tackling and running to the ball."

Utah State opened this season with a 45-6 win over Weber State. USC comes off a 52-6 loss to No. 1-ranked Alabama, which was shocking because of the Crimson Tide's complete domination.

Those scores might also help Utah State's confidence against the Trojans.

"To have a chance to win in the fourth quarter is what you want," Wells said. "But to do that, you have to start fast and you have to play well in all three phases. You have to minimize your mistakes because your mistakes in this kind of game will get magnified quickly."

Ali'ifua is from San Leandro, Calif. He once dreamed of playing for USC. But the Trojans "showed no interest" in recruiting him.

"We have to make sure that we create our own energy and keep building off of that," Ali'ifua said. "We can't let that crowd and that environment affect how we play. We need to make sure we stay tuned in. … We can never lose sight of what we came to do — play a football game and win it."

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Utah State at USC

Saturday, noon

TV • Pac-12 Network