Colorado State working again Avery Morrow (25) runs in opposition to Nevada within the second half of an NCAA faculty soccer recreation in Reno, Nev., Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Tom R. Smedes, Related Press
Utah State (2-4) at Colorado State (1-4)
Kickoff: Saturday, 5 p.m. MDT
Venue: Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins (36,500 capability)
TV: CBS Sports activities Community
Livestream: CBS Sports activities Community Reside
Radio: 1280 AM/97.5 FM
Sequence: Utah State is 36-39-2 all-time in opposition to Colorado State, together with 16-19-1 file on the street. The Aggies have gained the final three conferences within the sequence and have gained six of the final 9 video games performed in opposition to the Rams.
Climate: Largely cloudy with temperatures within the low-60s at kickoff, with a 0% probability of precipitation and winds (8 mph) out of the northeast.
The tendencies
For Utah State: The Aggies are 2-4 general coming off a doubtlessly season-changing victory in opposition to Air Pressure. Utah State had proven indicators of life within the weeks previous to the win over the Falcons, in losses to UNLV and BYU, and put collectively its most full recreation of the season final weekend.
For Colorado State: The Rams are 1-4 on the 12 months, with losses to Michigan, Center Tennessee, Washington State and Sacramento State, however simply recorded their first win of the season, in opposition to Nevada, final weekend. Colorado State has struggled offensively all 12 months, however held the Wolfpack to only two touchdowns within the win.
What to look at for
Has Utah State turned its season round? Has Colorado State executed the identical? Each the Aggies and Rams began the 12 months in lower than stellar trend, combing to go 1-8 previous to final weekend, earlier than successful video games in opposition to Air Pressure and Nevada, respectively.
With new beginning quarterback Cooper Legas beneath middle, Utah State’s offense has performed the very best it has all 12 months, and whereas statistically the Aggies aren’t world beaters on offense — nationally USU ranks No. 61 in dashing offense, No. 104 in passing offense — they've quietly improved to change into a center of the pack crew — or higher — offensively within the Mountain West Convention.
Defensively, Utah State stays among the best in all of school soccer at creating tackles for loss — now tied for No. 26 general with 41 whole TFLs, a mean of 6.8 per recreation — however has struggled in opposition to the run (ranked No. 119 nationally in dashing protection) whereas being strong in opposition to the go (ranked No. 34 in passing protection), although these numbers haven’t made the Aggies something higher than a middle-of-the-road protection within the MW.
For as unhealthy as Utah State was early this season, Colorado State was worse and stays within the backside third within the MW in almost each statistical class, offense or protection.
The Rams have misplaced no less than 13 gamers to the switch portal because the starting of the season, per The Coloradoan’s Kevin Lytle, lots of whom had been key contributors or anticipated to be.
On offense, Colorado State has scored the fewest touchdowns of any MW crew (eight whole), and consequently has the worst scoring offense within the league. The Rams have the worst whole offense too, averaging simply 244.4 yards per recreation.
It doesn’t get higher on protection, both, because the Rams fee final within the MW in passing protection (giving up 250 yards by the air per recreation) and are a mid tier crew — No. 7 — in opposition to the run, giving up 153 yards per recreation.
Key participant
Cooper Legas, QB, Utah State: Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell expects a number of quarterbacks to play for his crew, as accidents have wrecked havoc on an already inexperienced quarterback room.
Utah State, in the meantime, seems settled with Legas.
In 4 video games performed this season, Legas has thrown for 443 yards, 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Since taking up as Utah State’s beginning quarterback, although, Legas has been dynamic, throwing for 403 yards and all 4 of his touchdowns, whereas additionally dashing for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
Legas has accomplished almost 70% of his passes since taking up because the Aggies’ full-time quarterback and USU’s offense has improved by leaps and bounds with him beneath middle within the shotgun, recording season-highs in factors scored, touchdowns and yards of offense within the win in opposition to Air Pressure.
Quotable
“They’re (Colorado State) going to come back in with plenty of confidence. They obtained over the hump. They discovered a solution to win, so we all know we’re going to get their greatest shot, we’re going to get the very best they’ve obtained.” — Utah State coach Blake Anderson
“This (Utah State) is a tough enjoying crew that's getting higher. They gained a giant recreation this weekend. Have had some points, have needed to play totally different quarterbacks, however they gained a extremely vital recreation final week in opposition to Air Pressure and appear to have discovered themselves.” — Colorado State coach Jay Norvell
Subsequent up
Utah State is on the street once more subsequent Saturday, Oct. 22, and can journey to Laramie, Wyoming to tackle the rival Cowboys within the “Battle for Bridger’s Rifle.” Colorado State will keep residence the identical weekend and host Hawaii that Saturday afternoon.
Utah State schedule
Aug. 27 — Utah State 31, UConn 20
Sept. 3 — No. 1 Alabama 55, Utah State 0
Sept. 10 — Weber State 35, Utah State 7
Sept. 17 — BYE
Sept. 24 — UNLV 34, Utah State 24
Sept. 29 — No. 16 BYU 38, Utah State 26
Oct. 8 — Utah State 34, Air Pressure 27
Oct. 15 — Utah State at Colorado State
Oct. 22 — Utah State at Wyoming
Oct. 29 — BYE
Nov. 5 — Utah State vs. New Mexico
Nov. 12 — Utah State at Hawaii
Nov. 19 — Utah State vs. San José State
Nov. 25 — Utah State at Boise State
All occasions MT.