Utah State's win over Washington State in Logan on October 9 was the Aggies at their most typical. They trailed at the half, then scored 14 unanswered points after the break and won 17-16. Both touchdowns came off Cougar fumbles, on drives of 39 and 19 yards. Grady Brosterhous threw for 150 yards and a score, and Javen Jacobs ran for 62 and another. A defense that forces turnovers can win that way. It's a harder way to win on the road against a team that just scored 52.
Incarnate Word63-10
Look at what Utah State's losses have looked like. The 16-14 loss at Washington was a real game. Then the Aggies went to Utah, got shut out 33-0, and gave up 37 at Boise State 2 weeks later. Utah State is 0-3 on the road over this 5-game stretch and has scored 32 points in those 3 games. San Marcos is another road trip. Texas State's defense has given up 31 or more in 4 of its last 5 games on the card, so the Aggies could find more room than usual. Still, their offense has to show it can build drives instead of relying on short fields.
Both injury reports hit the passing game. Utah State has shut down WR N. Boncore for the season, and TE J. Nelson is expected to miss the rest of the year too, which leaves Brosterhous with fewer targets. Texas State is thin at tight end, with C. Snodgrass out and B. Smith questionable with a foot injury. WR K. Evans's shoulder hasn't had a status update since late September. Texas State's run game decides how much those absences matter. If Burgess and company run the way they did against Colorado State, the tight end shortage won't be much of a factor.
Utah State's path is clear: shorten the game, win the turnover battle and keep Texas State's offense on the sideline. Texas State needs an early lead that forces Brosterhous to throw against his own depleted receiver group. The Aggies' 3 road games this stretch all got away from them, and the Bobcats have the week off to get ready for them.