Utah State (0-0) at Washington State (0-0)

  • Kickoff: Saturday, 9 p.m. MDT
  • Venue: Gesa Field at Martin Stadium (32,952 capacity)
  • Surface: FieldTurf
  • TV: Pac-12 Network
  • Livestream: Pac-12 Network
  • Radio: KZNS 1280 AM/97.5 FM
  • Series: Washington State holds a 2-1 series advantage over Utah State, winning the first two matchups before the Aggies won their most recent game 34-14 in 1961.
  • Weather: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the high 60s at kickoff.

THE STAKES

For Utah State ... The Aggies are looking to win the first game of the Blake Anderson era and shake off the rust from a 1-5 2020 season that saw Anderson’s predecessor, Gary Andersen, fired midway through the season.

For Washington State: The Cougars went 1-3 during the first year under Nick Rolovich in 2020 — losing three straight after an opening win against Oregon State — and will be trying to get the second year under Rolovich off to a promising start.

THE TRENDS

For Utah State ... The Aggies are playing a Pac-12 opponent for the first time since 2016 (USC) and last beat a Power Five programs when they defeated Utah in 2012.

For Washington State ... The Cougars have an 18-3 record at home in games played since 2017, including a 7-0 record against nonconference opponents during that stretch.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Both coaches are staying mum on who their starting quarterbacks will be. For Utah State, it will either be Arkansas State transfer Logan Bonner or Andrew Peasley, who started two games last year. For Washington State, it’s between Jayden de Laura and Tennessee graduate transfer Jarrett Guarantano.

NEXT UP

The Aggies host FCS opponent North Dakota in their home opener on Sept. 10. The Cougars host FCS foe Portland State on Sept. 11.

UTAH STATE SCHEDULE

Sept. 4 — at Washington State (9 p.m., Pac-12 Network)

Sept. 10 — North Dakota (7 p.m., CBS Sports Network)

Sept. 18 — at Air Force (5:30 p.m., FS2)

Sept. 25 — Boise State (10 a.m., CBS)

Oct. 1 — BYU (7 p.m., CBS Sports Network)

Oct. 9 — BYE

Oct. 16 — at UNLV (5 p.m., CBS Sports Network)

Oct. 22 — Colorado State (7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network)

Oct. 30 — Hawaii (1 p.m., Spectrum Sports)

Nov. 6 — at New Mexico State

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Nov. 13 — at San Jose State (TBD, Fox Sports)

Nov. 20 — Wyoming (6 p.m., CBS Sports Network)

Nov. 26 — at New Mexico (11 a.m., FS1)

All times MDT

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