Utah State (3-8) at BYU (7-4)
THE BASICS
Saturday, 8:15 p.m., MST
LaVell Edwards Stadium
Natural grass
Provo
TV: ESPNU
Radio: 1160 AM, 102.7 FM Weather: Partly cloudy, temperatures in the 30s
THE STAKES
For Utah State . . . The Aggies missed out on bowl eligibility, so this game against in-state rival BYU is their de facto bowl game.
For BYU . . . The Cougars are looking to extend their three-game winning streak and finish the regular season with eight victories. Also, prior to the game, BYU will honor 21 seniors that will be participating in their last game at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
THE TRENDS
For Utah State . . . The Aggies are 2-4 against BYU since 2010. The last time USU came to LaVell Edwards Stadium it beat the Cougars 35-20 — its first win in Provo since 1978.
For BYU . . . The Cougars have posted a 34-6 record in the month of November over the past 10 seasons, including 18-0 at home.
THE EDGE
Utah State will win if . . . The Aggies win the battle of the line of scrimmages and avoid turnovers.
BYU will win if . . . The Cougars get off to a fast start and control the clock.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Kent Myers, Utah State quarterback: The junior has completed 200 of 339 passes for 2,291 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
KEY MATCHUP
BYU’s run game vs. Utah State’s front seven: The Cougars could have all-time leading rusher Jamaal Williams back for this game after being sidelined for the last two contests.
QUOTABLE
"This is a great BYU team. Their offense is, in my opinion, really good. They have a lot of talent over there … Overall, if we want to win this game, we're going to have to dominate on the defensive side. We will not win this game if we do not do that." — Utah State defensive end Ricky Ali'ifua.
“They have played in a lot of close games and have a lot of great athletes on the field. They’ve had some bad luck in some games … They have the ability as an offense to really hurt you in the air and also hurt you in the run game.” — BYU coach Kalani Sitake.
NEXT UP
BYU will play in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 21 against a Mountain West Conference opponent. After Saturday, Utah State’s season is over.
SCHEDULE
(All times Mountain) Date Opponent Time/result
Sept. 3 vs. Arizona W, 18-16
Sept. 10 at Utah L, 20-19
Sept. 17 vs. UCLA L, 17-14
Sept. 24 vs. West Virginia L, 35-32
Sept. 30 Toledo W, 55-53
Oct. 8 at Michigan State W, 31-14
Oct. 14 Mississippi State W, 28-21 (2 OT)
Oct. 20 at Boise State L, 28-27
Nov. 5 at Cincinnati W, 20-3
Nov. 12 Southern Utah W, 37-7
Nov. 19 UMass W, 51-9
Nov. 26 Utah State 8:15 p.m., ESPN2/U
EMAIL: jeffc@deseretnews.com