Two in-state rivals square off in a Friday night showdown when the Utah State Aggies host the BYU Cougars. Television coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
How to watch BYU at Utah State 2013: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
Will BYU’s strong running game give Chuckie Keeton a run for his money?
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
BYU has had a decidedly up-and-down season, opening the year with a tight 19-16 loss at Virginia before defeating Texas in impressive 40-21 fashion in Provo. The Cougars posted a program-record 550 rushing yards in the game, which resulted in the dismissal of Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. All looked well for the Cougars until they lost, 20-13, at home against Utah. Last week, they blew out Middle Tennessee State, 37-10, and want to bring a bit more consistency when they travel to face a tough Aggies team.
Utah State also has a close loss to Utah: 30-26, on the road against the Utes, in a Thursday night season opener that brought quarterback Chuckie Keeton into the national spotlight. Two blowout wins followed for the Aggies, over conference foe Air Force (52-20 on the road) and in-state opponent Weber State (70-6). A 17-14 road loss to a talented (if troubled) USC team put the Aggies back at .500, but a 40-12 road thrashing of San Jose State has them back on the right track.
The numbers
Rankings and records: BYU is 2-2, Utah State is 3-2 and neither team is ranked. The Cougars hold a 45-34-3 lead in the all-time series and have won the last two contests between the two programs. Utah State has only won the game twice since 1983.
Vegas: Utah State is a six-point home favorite, and the over-under is set at 57.5. OddsShark has more.
Weather: It will be cold in Logan Friday night, with snow possible.
Three names to know
Chuckie Keeton. Utah State’s quarterback is one of the more exciting talents in the nation, and he can do it both through the air and on the ground. He’s thrown for 17 touchdowns against just one interception this season and will try to expose a BYU secondary that has struggled at times.
Taysom Hill. Also known as “the man who got Manny Diaz fired,” Hill may be the best pure runner of any quarterback in the NCAA. He has really struggled in his passing game, however, so if the Aggies can force him to stay in the pocket, the Cougars will have a tough time winning this one.
Kyle Van Noy. One of the top defenders in the nation, Van Noy will be tasked with keeping Keeton in check. He has three passes deflected, six quarterback hurries and 5.5 tackles for a loss this season.
Two things at stake
If BYU loses, it will be just the second time since 1993 that the Cougars have lost to both Utah rivals in the same year.
After close losses to Utah and USC, Utah State and Keeton are still looking for a marquee win.
How to witness
TV: 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
Online streaming: ULive.
Further reading
For more on BYU, head to Vanquish the Foe. For Utah State and everything else in the Mountain West Conference, check out Mountain West Connection.
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