Utah State Aggies

Utah State opened the season with a 29-17 loss to Idaho State, an FCS team that entered as a 15.5-point underdog. The Aggies gave up five field goals and four interceptions, with quarterback McCae Hillstead throwing three picks and backup Grady Brosterhous adding another. The loss, which came at home with no travel and a comfortable setup, is a major red flag for a team that was expected to compete for a bowl berth. It also marks the first time in recent memory that the Aggies have fallen to an FCS opponent, and it puts the team in an early hole with a brutal schedule ahead.

McCae Hillstead, who transferred back from BYU after two seasons, threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns but also tossed three interceptions. His fourth-quarter pick helped seal the loss. The Aggies also got a late appearance from Grady Brosterhous, who threw an interception of his own. Hillstead showed flashes, including a 4-yard touchdown pass to Demick Starling that gave Utah State a 17-16 lead in the third quarter, but his decision-making was poor under pressure. With a new receiving corps that includes Anthony Garcia, Eli Wood, and Javon Robinson, the offense needs Hillstead to be more careful with the football, especially against tougher defenses like Washington and Utah.

The Aggies allowed 440.1 yards per game last season, worst in the Mountain West, and the 3-3-5 scheme was a point of concern entering the year. Against Idaho State, the defense gave up 29 points and could not stop the Bengals' field goal drives, as Mason Lindberg converted five attempts. The unit did force a few stops, but it also allowed an 8-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter that put the game out of reach. With only three returning starters on the defensive line and linebacker corps, plus new transfers like safety Chapman Lewis and cornerback Antonio Bluiett, the Aggies have yet to show they can consistently get off the field. The upcoming road game at Washington will be a much sterner test.

Punter Landon Rehkow averaged 42.9 yards per punt last season and is back, while long-snapper Hyrum Hatch returns as a former freshman All-American. New kicker Kian Afrookhteh, who was honorable mention All-Sun Belt at Coastal Carolina, did not attempt a field goal in the opener, so his reliability is still unknown. The Aggies did not have any special teams breakdowns against Idaho State, but they also did not get a boost from returns, despite Javen Jacobs being a weapon in that area. With a defense that may struggle, field position and kicking will be critical in close games, and the Aggies need Afrookhteh to be steady.

Utah State now travels to No. 17 Washington as a 26.5-point underdog, with the prediction market giving them just a 4% chance to win. The Aggies also face Utah later in the season, and they may have to play Boise State twice. Last year, Utah State went 6-7 and beat only one bowl team, and this year's schedule includes multiple power-conference opponents on the road. After losing to an FCS team, the Aggies need to find answers quickly, or they risk a losing record and missing a bowl for the second straight year under head coach Bronco Mendenhall. The continuity on offense and the return of key players like running back Javen Jacobs, who had 1,058 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns last year, offer some hope, but the margin for error is now razor thin.