With three straight wins over UNLV, Colorado State, and Hawai’i, the Aggies now sit at 6-2 on the year and have clinched a postseason berth. The Aggies now face New Mexico State in a non-conference matchup before resuming conference play.
A USU rewind
Three straight wins over Washington State, North Dakota, and Air Force meant the Aggies started the season 3-0 for the first time since 1978. The win over Washington State was also the first road win over a Power 5 conference program in 50 years (Kansas State in 1971).
Since then, losses to Boise State and BYU and three wins over UNLV, Colorado State, and Hawai’i put the Aggies at 6-2. Even better, Utah State has improved to 4-1 in Mountain West play, sitting atop the Mountain Division and controlling its own destiny to play for a conference championship.
What does New Mexico State look like?
The Aggies from Las Cruces are currently 1-7 overall in 2021 as one of college football’s seven independent programs.
The Aggies lost their first three games of the season before winning their lone game of the year against FCS program South Carolina State. Since then, NMSU has lost four in a row.
What the (Utah State) Aggies need to do to win
The offense needs to have another hay day
Scoring 51 points in last week’s victory over Hawai’i, the Aggies offense had a big performance against one of the country’s worst defensive units, racking up 564 total yards of offense.
This week could be eerily similar to last since the NMSU Aggies ranks 119th in the nation in total defense. They allow an average of 38.5 points per game (126th) and 276.2 passing yards per game (115th).
In other words, the Aggies from Logan should light up the Aggies from Las Cruces’s secondary.
Continue improvements on defense
After allowing just 360 yards of offense – including just 22 rushing – in the win over the Rainbow Warriors, Utah State should be able to one-up themselves this week.
USU also forced three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble) in last week’s game, and should use this game against the 84th ranked offense in the country to make improvements on defense for the big upcoming games in conference play.
Prediction
Coming off three straight wins, the Aggies from Cache Valley should have no problem making it four against one of the worst teams in the country.
Even though the outcome doesn’t matter much because it’s a non-conference game, Utah State should do their best to put the game away early and get ready for next weekend.
Utah State 41, New Mexico State 20
Utah State and New Mexico State kick off at 2 p.m. MT on Saturday afternoon. The game can be seen on FloSports (subscription required).
