By the numbers: Colorado State vs. USU


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LOGAN — Aggie fans, it's been a rough start to the season with a close win against an FCS school, poor outings against Pac-12 teams and losing quarterback Chuckie Keeton to injury again.

Keeton hasn't been ruled out for the season, but he will miss significant time.

What do the Aggies have going for them? The Mountain West Conference is not looking particularly strong, meaning the Aggies still have a shot at competing for a conference championship. It all starts Saturday against the Colorado State Rams.

The Rams are 2-2 heading into their game with the Aggies, but they could be as good as 4-0. Their two losses were by a combined six points and came against Power 5 schools, one of which was against in-state rival Colorado. The Rams finished second in the MWC last season and are still a solid team. Granted they did lose their head coach and starting quarterback, but they are still a solid team.

The Aggies will have their hands full against the Rams on Saturday. Here are the key stats the Aggies need to focus on:

Kent Myers' five career starts

Myers comes into Saturday's game with five career starts, all coming in the 2014 season as the Aggies' third-string quarterback. For Myers' career, he has 865 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has 15 rushes for 70 yards and five touchdowns.

Myers' experience as the starting quarterback makes him a plug-and-play option. His knowledge of the offense and relationship with his receivers and running backs will make his transition back to the starter smooth.

Utah State is penultimate in total offense in FBS with 292.3 yards/game

Even with Keeton at the helm, the Aggie offense has struggled to move the ball. Projected offensive standout LaJuan Hunt has underperformed. In 2014, Hunt averaged 4.9 yards per carry. In 2015, he's only averaging 3.1 ypc. Hunt has yet to record a rushing touchdown.

Devonte Robinson has been the lone bright spot of the Aggie offense. His 15.2 yards per catch and his ability to break out for a big play make him Myers' biggest and best target. Robinson will be key for Myers' transition.

Utah State is allowing 310 total yards per game (28th in FBS)

The Aggie defense will have its hands full against the Rams' top-40 offense. The Rams are averaging a hair over 462 ypg this season and 37 points per game. The Aggies are giving up 21.3 ppg.

The Rams lost quarterback Garrett Grayson to the NFL last season and have leaned on Nick Stevens in 2015. Stevens is having a solid sophomore campaign, having thrown nine touchdowns and four interceptions. Wide receiver Rashard Higgins has caught a touchdown pass in every game he's played and is averaging 104 ypg.

The Aggie defenders will have to shut down Higgins to have a chance at the upset.

Nick Vigil's 11.3 tackles per game

Vigil has lit up opposing offenses this season. His 11.3 tpg are good for 11th in the FBS. Vigil's main job will be trying to slow down the Rams' running game.

Colorado State running back Jason Olden Jr. is having a solid season. He's averaging 4.4 ypc and has two touchdowns through four games. Vigil will be asked to slow down Olden Jr. and the rest of the Ram running backs.

Colorado State's 48 percent third-down conversion rate

The Rams are one of the best teams in the FBS at converting on third down. The Rams face an Aggie defense that is holding opposing offenses to less than 30 percent on third-down conversions. The Rams will likely throw on most of their third downs, putting a lot of pressure on the Aggie secondary.

The Aggie secondary is allowing 204 receiving ypg, and it will need to continue that solid play Saturday. The Rams are putting up 268 passing ypg and look to increase that number at Maverick Stadium.


Nathan Harker is a sports writing intern currently enrolled at Brigham Young University majoring in broadcast journalism. Nathan can be reached at nathan.harker32@gmail.com or via Twitter @nharker3207.

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