Mountain West Football: 12 most important 2017 non-conference games
By Zach Bigalke
Utah State is in much the same boat as Fresno State. The main difference is that a new coaching staff is taking over in California, while Matt Wells and his crew enter their pivotal fifth season in Logan. Gary Andersen rebuilt the program over his four years, culminating in the WAC championship in 2012.
Wells took over when Andersen left for Wisconsin, and immediately guided Utah State to the MWC Mountain title and a spot in the championship game in the team’s first year in the conference. The team followed with a 10-4 season in 2014, finishing second in the division. But the last two years have raised concerns about whether Wells has staying power.
A win in the season opener at Wisconsin is probably too much to ask of the Aggies. But a trip to Wake Forest two weeks later provides a more reasonable chance at making a 2017 statement. Utah State will probably still be facing an uphill battle for bowl eligibility this season. If they can upset the Demon Deacons, though, the Aggies would have a legitimate shot at making waves in the Mountain West.