FRESNO, Calif. — Utah State is looking to start Mountain West Conference play with a 2-0 record for the second time in its three years in the league. To do that, the Aggies travel to Fresno State to take on a struggling Bulldog squad Saturday night in their first conference road game of the season.

USU has won 13 of its last 15 conference road games, while Fresno State has an 11-1 record in conference games played at home. Something will have to give.

Here are the matchups to watch for on Saturday night.

Marteze Waller vs. Utah State's rush defense

Senior running back Marteze Waller has been a bright spot in the backfield for the Bulldogs. Through five games he is averaging 4.3 yards per carry, however, he has yet to get in the end zone on the ground, due in part to Fresno State playing from behind in all but one game this season.

Waller runs into a Utah State defense that ranks second in the Mountain West and 21st in the nation in rushing defense giving up 107.5 yards per game. The front seven for the Aggies is a formidable task for any offense, especially one that struggles trough the air. Taking away the Waller and the Bulldog ground game will force the Bulldogs to try to make plays though the air, which they have struggled to do.

Fresno State quarterback vs. Aggie secondary

Zach Greenlee is expected to start for Fresno State against the Aggies, but reports indicate that redshirt freshman Kilton Anderson will see significant time.

Utah State head coach Matt Wells talked about Greenlee and the pieces that surround him at Monday's press conference.

"As I look at them on offense, Zack Greenlee does some really good stuff out on the perimeter," Wells said. "It's a veteran, physical offensive line. They've got some talented wideouts on the edge."

Aggie cornerback Jalen Davis, for one, is excited to face the Bulldog offense.

"It's always going to get me excited when a team has great players who are very quick and fast," he said. "I just love playing those kind of players and as a defense, we love trying to stop those guys."

Utah State offensive line vs. Bulldog defense

Utah State offensive line was much improved against Colorado state, but it will still be looked at to continue to make strides against a tricky Fresno State defense. Wells talked about the skill and pressure the Bulldogs bring on defense.

"On defense, there are several guys that played against us in the Mountain West championship game several years ago," he said. "(Defensive end Todd) Hunt and (linebacker) Kyrie Wilson both had really good games against us. I remember them, and I remember seeing them, especially Wilson running around making plays.

"I have a lot of respect for them and what Coach (Tim) DeRuyter and (defensive coordinator Nick) Toth do on defense, and all the pressure looks they give you. They give you multiple pressures, safety pressures, outside linebacker, inside linebackers. You name it, they're coming down that ramp blitzing and pressuring — man pressures and zone pressures. They do a lot of stuff on defense, and that scheme is a challenge and those guys do a good job, and they always have."

The Bulldogs bring a lot of pressure, but they also have struggled against the run this year, giving up 4.6 yards per carry. Additionally, the Bulldogs are giving up an average of 256 rush yards per game against FBS opponents this season. Opening up holes and establishing a run game early will help the Aggies take the Bulldog faithful out of the game early.

The game kicks off at 8:30 p.m. MT, and it can be seen on CBSSN. Parker Robertson is a graduate of Utah State University, a freelance contributor and an avid fan of sports. Follow me on Twitter @ParkerRob78 Email: ParkerRobertson18@gmail.com

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