USU overcame a lot of adversity at home a couple of weeks ago to take UNLV. Lousy field position, atrocious punting, penalties and an AWOL kicking game nearly gave the game away. USU hung on at home for a 7 point win.

This last Saturday in Moscow, USU gives up the ball 4 times in its own 1/2 of the field and once at the Idaho 47, and Idaho only got 7 points out of it, giving up 3 TOs. Too much defensive energy defending your side of the field has to give way somewhere, however, and UI took advantage, going 8-9 for 8.1 yards per completion on 3rd down, rushing for a 4.2 yard average on 3rd down, and converting 9-14 3rd downs.

Atrocious!

Yet the Ags were in it, trailing by 7 and driving with about a minute left when USU's QB threw an out, which UI stepped in front of and ran back 71 yards for 7 to preserve the win in the hangar.

Which team shows up at USU's homecoming against San Jose? The Spartans owned USU back in the day: even when SJS was lousy they'd find a way to beat mediocre to good USU teams.

More important, USU's paid attendance was about 17K for UNLV, but only 12.5K showed up for an evening kickoff with local TV. How many show up for a 1:00 p.m. (MST) homecoming kickoff against the Spartans with local TV?

I'll say USU splits the difference between UNLV and UI and wins the game before a crowd of 16,000 reported as 11,280 by the Col.

I just hope that USU continues their lack of execution and SJSU continues their improvement. We need a win badly.

SJGregg Wrote:I just hope that USU continues their lack of execution and SJSU continues their improvement. We need a win badly.

They had pretty good execution overall against 'Vegas, actually, only giving up one turnover. The Dribbles put 8 guys in the box and dared USU to pass. USU did, just barely well enough to win.

Of course, USU got 2 defensive TDs called back against Vegas in the home opener, including the opening offensive play by Vegas: a pick taken to the house. The refs called roughing (a questionable call, but they happen all the time in such situations), and Vegas caught fire, going for 7 in about 7 plays.

USU's improved both offensively and defensively each week.

But I worry about San Jose's DEs and LBs. From the numbers I've looked at, this is an ueberquick defensive team. Just hope the Ags can keep up.