Sunday, October 6, 2013

Is the magical season over for Utah State?

Utah State's hope for a conference championship dimmed once Chukie Keeton went down in the 1st quarter against BYU on Friday evening.  But does that mean that hopes are over for Utah State this season?  I wouldn't give up on the Aggies if I were you.

First of all, let's take a look at what is going on in Boise.  They are in an uncharacteristically "poor" season.  But a poor season for Boise State represents the consistency that Utah State is looking for, at worst, the Broncos will finish with 8 wins.  Utah State is now hoping for 9.  There is some other drama happening in Boise.  Chris Peterson is considered by some to be the front-runner for the opening at USC, and the program can through all the money at Peterson can imagine to get him.  It will be difficult for BSU players to put that all behind them.

USU fans should also be proud of the way their team fought in the 4th quarter.  First, they stopped BYU in the red zone, then they made a good long drive against the tough Cougar defense.  Even when the game was out of reach, they didn't quit.  Yes, Boise State is the favorite in Logan on Saturday, but not so fast.  I would give the Aggies a chance against Boise State, and perhaps a place in the conference championship game.

BYU 31 USU 14

BYU MVP: WR Mitch Matthews
USU MVP: QB Craig Harrison

UCLA 34 Utah 27

Utah MVP: WR Dres Anderson

UCD 21 SUU 3

SUU MVP: QB Aaron Kantu

Eastern Washington 41 Weber State 19

WSU MVP: QB Austin Chippowetti

Conference Players of the Week

FBS Independents

Navy RB Keenan Reynolds

PAC-12

Washington State QB Connor Halliday

MWC

Nevada QB Cody Fajardo

Big Sky

Montana State RB Cody Kirk

Power Rankings

FBS Independents

1.  Notre Dame
2.  BYU
3.  Navy
4.  Old Dominion
5.  Army
6.  Idaho
7.  New Mexico State

PAC 12

1.  Oregon
2.  Stanford
3.  UCLA
4.  Arizona State
5.  Washington
6.  Oregon State
7.  Arizona
8.  Utah
9.  Washington State
10. USC
11. Colorado
12. California

MWC

1.  Fresno State
2.  Boise State
3.  San Diego State
4.  Utah State
5.  Nevada
6.  Wyoming
7.  Colorado State
8.  Air Force
9.  San Jose State
10. UNLV
11. Hawaii
12. New Mexico

Big Sky

1.  Montana State
2.  Eastern Washington
3.  Montana
4.  Cal Poly
5.  Northern Arizona
6.  North Dakota
7.  Southern Utah
8.  Portland State
9.  Southern Utah
10.  Sacramento State
11. Northern Colorado

12. Idaho State
13. Weber State

Beehive State QB Power Rankings

1.  Travis Wilson, Utah
2.  Taysom Hill, BYU
3.  Craig Harrison, Utah State
4.  Aaron Kantu, Southern Utah
5.  Austin Chippowetti, Weber State

Projected Finishes

BYU (3-2)

Projected Wins: Georgia Tech, Houston, Idaho State, Nevada, USC (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
Projected Losses: Boise State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame
Projected Finish 8-5

Utah State (3-3)
Projected Wins: New Mexico, Hawaii, UNLV, Colorado State, Wyoming, Navy (Armed Forces Bowl)
Projected Loss: Boise State
Projected Finish: 9-4

Utah (3-2)
Projected Wins: Arizona, USC, Colorado, Wyoming (New Mexico Bowl)
Projected Losses: Stanford, Oregon, Washington State, Arizona State
Projected Finish: 7-6

Southern Utah (4-2)
Projected Wins: Portland State, Idaho State, Weber State
Projected Losses: Eastern Washington, Montana State, Northern Arizona
Projected Finish: 7-5

Weber State (1-5)
Projected Losses: Cal Poly, Montana State, Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana, Idaho State
Projected Finish: 1-11

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