BYU (3-4) at Utah State (4-3)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 8 p.m. MDT
- Venue: Maverik Stadium (25,513)
- Surface: AstroTurf GameDay Grass
- TV/livestream: ESPN2
- Radio: KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM, 1280 AM
- Tickets: UtahStateAggies.com
- Parking: Parking Map
- Series: BYU leads, 48-37-3
- Weather: Clear skies with temperatures in the 30s at kickoff.
THE STAKES
For Utah State … The Aggies are looking to rebound from a 31-7 drubbing at Air Force last week and beat BYU for the third straight time. USU has won consecutive games in the series for the first time since a streak of four games from 1971-74.
For BYU … The Cougars, coming off a bye, are looking to build on an upset of nationally ranked Boise State two weeks ago and beat USU for the first time since 2016.
THE TRENDS
For Utah State … The Aggies have outscored BYU 85-44 the last two seasons.
For BYU … The Cougars are 7-0 against the Aggies in the month of November over the past 50 years.
THE CRYSTAL BALL
Utah State will win if … The Aggies get off to a fast start against the Cougars. BYU is being outscored 69-22 this season in the fourth quarter.
BYU will win if … The Cougars protect the football. BYU has coughed up 10 turnovers in the past two meetings, compared to just one turnover for USU during that span.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jaren Hall, BYU quarterback: The redshirt freshman suffered an injury in the loss at South Florida and didn’t play in BYU’s win over Boise State. He could make his second career start Saturday.
Jordan Love, Utah State quarterback: The junior, who has been projected to be a high pick in next spring’s NFL draft, has completed 147 of 246 passes for 1,620 yards with nine interceptions and eight touchdowns this season.
KEY MATCHUP
BYU’s defensive line vs. Utah State’s offensive line: The Cougar defense will be looking to disrupt QB Jordan Love and stop the run, particularly in the red zone.
QUOTABLE
“They play really well at home and they’re capable of putting up a lot of points, so our defense will have to be on top of things. I’m glad we got a week to prepare for them and that we had another game week of film. We’re going to utilize all that and try to get ready for a good performance up in Logan.”
— BYU coach Kalani Sitake
”Obviously, it’s a big game. Our guys are excited; players and coaches on both sides are going to be excited, and fans are going to be excited. It’s a good rivalry game. BYU has beat some really good teams this year, which we all know if you look and see what they’ve done. In their last game against Boise State, it was a huge victory for BYU.”
— Utah State coach Gary Andersen
NEXT UP
On Nov. 9, BYU hosts Liberty and Utah State visits Fresno State.
BYU SCHEDULE
Aug. 29 — Utah 30, BYU 12
Sept. 7 — BYU 29, Tennessee 26 (2 OT)
Sept. 14 — BYU 30, USC 27 (OT)
Sept. 21 — Washington 45, BYU 19
Sept. 28 — Toledo 28, BYU 21
Oct. 12 — South Florida 27, BYU 23
Oct. 19 — BYU 28, Boise State 25
Nov. 2 — at Utah State (8 p.m., ESPN2)
Nov. 9 — Liberty (5:30 p.m., ESPNU)
Nov. 16 — Idaho State (1 p.m., BYUTV/ESPN3)
Nov. 23 — at UMass (10 a.m., FloSports)
Nov. 30 — at San Diego State (7 p.m., CBS Sports)
All times MT
UTAH STATE SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 — Wake Forest 38, Utah State 35
Sept. 7 — Utah State 62, Stony Brook 7
Sept. 21 — Utah State 23, San Diego State 17
Sept. 28 — Utah State 34, Colorado State 24
Oct. 5 — LSU 42, Utah State 6
Oct. 19 — Utah State 36, Nevada 10
Oct. 26 — Air Force 31, Utah State 7
Nov. 2 — BYU (8 p.m., ESPN2)
Nov. 9 — at Fresno State (4 p.m.)
Nov. 16 — Wyoming (TBA)
Nov. 23 — Boise State (8:30 p.m.)
Nov. 30 — at New Mexico (2 p.m.)
All times MDT