BYU/Utah State Game Day Preview Plus Score Prediction

LOGAN, Utah – Rock me, momma like a wagon wheel, game day has arrived for No. 13 BYU vs Utah State. The 90th edition in the Battle for the Old Wagon Wheel.

This year is the first meeting between the two schools since 2019. COVID-19 took away last season’s matchup that was scheduled to be played in Provo. Two years ago, BYU traveled up to Logan as an underdog and won a game with backup Jaren Hall, then third-string signal-caller Baylor Romney stepping in during the second half.

Since that win, BYU has been one of the most successful programs in college football. The Cougars finished last year 11-1 and this year; they are off to a hot start at 4-0 that features three wins over Power Five teams.

Utah State went through a difficult season a year ago on and off the field amidst the pandemic. First, Gary Andersen was let go and in came Blake Anderson from Arkansas State. Instantly, Anderson has the Aggies playing tough with a high-powered offense that might be more potent than the Jordan Love days in the Cache Valley.

Utah State comes into this game with a 3-1 record looking to take home the Wagon Wheel for the first time since 2018.

BYU/Utah State has been a competitive rivalry over the last ten meetings. BYU holds a slight lead of 6-4.

No. 13 BYU vs Utah State

Kickoff: 7 p.m. (MT)

TV: CBS Sports Network

Radio: BYU call – KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)

Utah State call – The Zone Sports Network (97.5 FM, 1280 AM)

Now it’s time for the 3-2-1 Game Day preview.

Three Game Day Thoughts

1. Don’t get it twisted; this is a rivalry

If you’re playing for an in-state foe that’s been going back and forth with you the past ten meetings, this is a good matchup and it’s a rivalry. However, I’ve always believed the fan element makes this game lack the juice of a BYU/Utah matchup.

⚫️𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗢𝗨𝗧⚫️

Fri. Oct 1st
| #BeatBYU | pic.twitter.com/p5e3LQSuzr

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 27, 2021

BYU fans don’t often interact with Utah State Aggies fans because they don’t see many in their jobs. While at the office, they interact with a lot more Ute fans. Also, the sideshows typically don’t emerge from this game like the BYU/Utah matchup. Yeah, I’m looking at you, suspender boy.

Regardless, this is a game that neither wants to lose. Does it mean more for the Aggies? Yeah, definitely. Blake Anderson was asked about the BYU rivalry within the first five minutes of his introductory press conference. But for BYU, this is always an important game. Two years ago, people were trotting out that Kalani Sitake had lost seven straight games against rivals. That included losses to Utah State. This game matters.

2. Last week gave each team a blueprint for success

During last Saturday night’s game against USF, BYU’s defense struggled to get off the field. They ate up the clock on the ground and kept moving the chains, keeping the ball away from BYU’s explosive offense.

Utah State might follow that model with Oregon State transfer Calvin Tyler Jr. at running back. Tyler has been a massive surprise for the Aggies. He’s rushed for 414 yards in the first four games of the season.

For BYU’s defense, they saw Utah State struggle to finish drives against Boise State last week. BYU is more aggressive this year on defense, but they’ve shown a tendency to bend but don’t break at times. Last week, Boise State did that to perfection, allowing the Aggies to pile up 443 yards, but only finished with three points.

Ilaisa Tuiaki said that Tyler Batty and Atunaisa Mahe will be back this week for Utah State game.#BYU #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 27, 2021

Which blueprint is going to win tonight in Logan?

3. Let’s hope and pray for no injuries at the QB position or any spot for that matter

There’s a laundry list of injuries to quarterbacks in this game over the last ten meetings. You can point to three season-ending injuries from Taysom Hill in this game. Back in 2013, Utah State legend Chuckie Keeton left that game early due to injury.

In 2017, BYU lost Beau Hoge then Joe Critchlow in Logan. Then two years later, in 2019, Jaren Hall went out with a concussion.

Please, keep everyone healthy in this game.

BYU vs. Utah State Questions

1. Who starts at quarterback for BYU?

Jaren Hall was out last week due to an undisclosed setback he had against Arizona State. Hall had a hard fall on his chest versus the Sun Devils and it kept him out for the USF game. In replace of Hall, Baylor Romney was brilliant in the 35-27 win over the Bulls last week.

BYU’s offense took flight against a poor USF defense, putting up 448 yards of total yards of offense and 305 through the air, with Romney calling the shots.

Kalani Sitake said Jaren Hall will be practicing today. Also said Hall will be "most likely ready to play" against Utah State.#BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 27, 2021

But as Romney noted last week, a player shouldn’t lose their job due to injury. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said Jaren Hall would be practicing and barring a setback; he would be “most likely ready to play” against the Aggies tonight.

This coaching staff has shown a tendency to sit players if they aren’t fully healthy. Knowing that Baylor Romney is more than capable of guiding BYU to a victory over the Aggies, does Sitake and offensive coordinator hold off on Hall if he isn’t close to 100%?

It’s going to be a game-time decision.

2. Which team makes the statement?

This is a statement game for both teams. If BYU is truly the 13th best team in the land, they should take care of business against Utah State. For the Aggies, a win over BYU would earn Blake Anderson endless goodwill from the Aggie faithful and it would be a signature win for the program.

Score Prediction

BYU is the better team in this matchup. Especially with reinforcements coming back in defensive linemen Tyler Batty and Atunaisa Mahe. Utah State will need to jump on BYU early if they hope to win this one because the Cougars are one of only six teams in college football who has yet to trail yet this year.

Regardless of the QB situation for BYU, they have the edge in that department. Logan Bonner and Andrew Peasley will keep BYU’s defense on their heels as it will be an actual two-quarterback system, but BYU wins this one. I predict BYU wins by a couple of scores because of takeaways.

Utah State comes into this game 82nd nationally in turnover margin to BYU, who is ninth in the country.

BYU moves to 5-0 on the season and takes the heavy Wagon Wheel home to Provo.

BYU 34, Utah State 20

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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