Mountain West championship or bust for Utah State?

Utah State running back Rahsul Faiso cuts back with the ball to avoid the tackle attempt by Georgia State linebacker Kevin Swint in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. Faison has the goal of becoming one of the best players in the country this fall. | Steve Conner

Seated in front of a backdrop emblazoned with Utah State University logos, Nate Dreiling had an opportunity.

He could’ve tempered expectations for the Aggies this fall. He could’ve talked about how July — which included the termination of Blake Anderson as the program’s head coach and the tragic death of transfer Andre Seldon Jr. — was such a difficult month for the program that few should expect much from USU this season.

He could’ve talked about how he is a first-time head coach, the youngest at the FBS level, so take it easy on him. He could’ve talked of how his offensive coordinator Kyle Cefalo has never been a play caller in his career, so to expect USU’s offense to operate at the level it has in the past isn’t exactly fair.

He could’ve leaned into the need for patience, what with USU football needing a major revamping of its culture, per athletic director Diana Sabau.

Dreiling could’ve talked about any and all of those things and few would’ve blamed him.

But he didn’t.

Instead, Dreiling leaned into the highest of expectations for Utah State in 2024 — competing for a Mountain West Conference championship.

It wasn’t one of those things you say because you need to express confidence in public for your team either. Dreiling is sincere in his belief that Utah State can and will contend for the conference crown this season.

“There is no reason we shouldn’t be competing for a Mountain West championship,” he said.

Dreiling gave well-thought-out reasons.

First and foremost, he believes that the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mountain-west-championship-bust-utah-233425318.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2024-08-02 23:34:25

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