Is it fair to call Utah State football’s game against Temple a ‘must win?’

Utah State Aggies wide receiver Jack Hestera (14) scores against Utah in Logan on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Three games into the 2024 season, the Utah State Aggies still have plenty of football ahead of them.

Nine game weeks, plus two bye weeks to be exact.

It still the middle of September after all. The season remains in its infancy.

And yet, in the build up to this weekend’s game against Tempe, Utah State interim head coach Nate Dreiling was clear.

He believes that the game in Philadelphia against the Owls is a “must win” for the Aggies.

Their “Super Bowl.”

“We need to be able to get to 2-2 before (we start) preparing for our Boise (State) game, right off a bye,” Dreiling said. “It is going to be all hands on deck. This is going to be our Super Bowl. This is a must win game for this team and we know it and we are going to prepare like it.”

Is it fair, to put so much on the Aggies’ final non-conference game? A cross-country game against an opponent USU has never played previously?

There is an argument that Dreiling is right.

Utah State’s schedule doesn’t do the team any favors this season, especially when you consider potential bowl eligibility.

Here are the Aggies’ remaining opponents this season:

Temple.

Boise State.

UNLV.

New Mexico.

Wyoming.

Washington State.

Hawaii.

San Diego State.

Colorado State.

Some of those teams, even this early in the year, appear to be a bridge too far for the Aggies.

Boise State has dominated Utah State over the years and the Broncos’ only loss thus far was a close one at No. 9 Oregon. Throw in that Ashton Jeanty, a fringe Heisman Trophy candidate, plays for the Broncos and the Aggies won’t be expected to walk away from Boise with a win.

The following week Utah State hosts UNLV and the Rebels might be the best team in the MW this season, with…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/fair-call-utah-state-football-012348641.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2024-09-20 01:23:48

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