Know Your Enemy: Utah State Aggies
The Vols will need to contain Utah State QB Chuckie Keeton if they have any hopes of winning their 2014 season opener Sunday. PHOTO: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Who: Utah State Aggies — Logan, UT
Distance From Knoxville: 1,797 miles
Head coach: Matt Wells (2nd year, 9-5)
Conference: Mountain West
2013 Record: 9-5 (7-1)
Ranking: AP #48
All time series: 1st meeting
Leading Returning Passer: Chuckie Keeton — 1,388 yards, 18 TD, 2 INT (missed 8 games with injury)
Leading Returning Rusher: Joe Hill — 252 yards, 1 TD (missed 9 games with injury)
Leading Returning Receiver: Bruce Natson — 59 rec, 395 yards, 2 TD
This may surprise most Vol fans, but the Aggies have been playing football for nearly as long as UT. When Utah State kicks off the 2014 season against the Vols, it will be their 117th season. The Vols will be opening their 118th.
Unfortunately for the Aggies, that’s where the similarities end.
Utah State holds an all-time record of 515-513-31, which is about as average of an all-time record as a team can have. The Aggies have performed well over the last three seasons, however. Before 2011, the Aggies hadn’t experienced a winning season since John L. Smith led them to a 6-5 record in 1997.
Gary Anderson took over the program in 2009, and he and the Aggies finally broke through in 2011, going 7-6 and losing in the Idaho Potato Bowl. The next season saw the Aggies reach unprecedented heights, going 11-2 and finishing ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll, the first time they finished in the top 25 in the AP Poll since 1961.
Last season, Matt Wells took over the team as they joined the Mountain West Conference and led them to a 9-5 record despite losing star quarterback Chuckie Keeton to a torn ACL in the 7th game of the season.
This season, the Aggies look to pick up where last season started with a fully healthy Keeton and returning starting running back Joe Hill.
Utah State is 1-16 all-time against SEC schools. It’s lone win came in a 35-6 drubbing of Kentucky in 1970.
While quarterback Chuckie Keeton has the ability to light up a scoreboard, the Aggies still have plenty of questions heading into the opening game of 2014, chiefly on the offensive line. They, like the Vols, must replace their entire offensive line from 2013.
Not only that, but the Aggies only return 5 starters on defense, albeit one of the better defenses in the country in 2013. The Aggies ranked in the top 12 in the NCAA in points given up per game (17.1), rushing yards given up per game (106.8), and total defense (330.9).
The front seven for Utah State looks to be in good shape. The secondary, however, is full of questions and proved last season it can be exploited.
The key for the Vols will be containing Keeton, a dark horse Heisman candidate. In his career, Keeton has thrown for 5,961 yards, 56 touchdowns, and only 13 interceptions in 3 seasons. He’s also run for 1,153 yards and 14 scores. Keeton is one of the most talented QB’s the Vols will face this season.
Another key that likely will go under-the-radar: Stopping the run. Not just from Keeton.
Utah State has won 15 straight games when they have a 100-yard rusher. The Aggies like to run the ball, whether it’s with Keeton or their stable of running backs. The Vols will have to contain the big-play potential of Utah State if they hope to win.