Going For Three

It has been eleven years since John L Smith took the Aggies to a Big West Conference Championship with an appearance in the Humanitarian Bowl (lost to Cincy). Since then there have been no winning seasons. This year likely will be no different with seven bowl teams on the schedule. In Brent Guy's three years he is 7 and 32 (6 and 19 against the WAC) since taking the coaching reins. Utah State has been a frequent guest on ESPNs bottom 10 but earned its exit after last weeks victory over the also struggling Idaho Vandals. CBSSportsline currently has Utah State ranked 113 in the nation. The Aggies 2008 motto is "Courage. Confidence. Commitment." all of which will need to be completely maxed out (and then some) for the young Aggies to have even a fighting chance of victory over the Cougars offensive machine. The Cougars will be seeking the first triple back to back shutout victories since 1937 (beat Utah State ironically that year 54-0 for its 3rd consecutive shutout then).

Aggie sophomore quarterback Diondre Borel (6.0/185) leads the offensive charge throwing 41 of 75 for 490 yards while posting 5 TDs and 2 INTs. Borel is also currently the aggie leading rusher with 49 carries for 217 yards and 1 touchdown. In the aggie backfield is Robert Turbin (5.10/210) redshirt freshman (majoring in business management) who has 43 carries for 189 yards and 2 TDs. Local product senior wide receiver Otis Nelson (6.2/214 from Hunter HS) has hooked up 13 times for 142 yards and 2 TDs. Nelson is a business entrepeneurship major who may have to find ways to earn his keep with the Cougars in town. At the other wideout is sophomore Stanley Morrison (5.8/156) catching 8 receptions for 132 yards and a long TD.

Coming into Romney stadium saturday the Cougars powerful offense is steamrolling and averaging 43 points a game with Max Hall averaging over 480 yards per matchup. BYU is 42 and 4 when scoring 30 or more (since 2001) and that should clearly happen against the Aggies 115th scoring defense in the nation. Utah State is ranked 108th in the nation for rush defense giving up 218 yards per game. Harvey "The Human Cannonball" Unga could be in for a very big game. Unfortunately, the Aggies also lead the WAC with 29 penalties for 248 yards. This game could get ugly. There's no way around it. Good chance Aggie sophomore punter Peter Caldwell will see plenty of "PT" with an Aggie offense likely heading 3 and outs on their possessions. Caldwell is one of 46 collegiate punters nationally on the Ray Guy Award Watch list and was named honorable Freshman All American last year by Sporting News.