It has been both a tragic and turbulent offseason for Utah State.
On July 20, cornerback Andre Seldon Jr. died. Seldon had transferred this summer after two seasons at both New Mexico State and Michigan. Also this summer, Blake Anderson was fired as USU’s head coach.
Nate Dreiling, Utah State’s defensive coordinator and defensive ends coach, has been named interim coach for this season. This is Dreiling’s first year at Utah State after spending the previous two years as defensive coordinator at New Mexico State.
Utah State is coming off a 6-7 season and earned its 11th bowl bid in 13 years in 2023.
Utah State’s Mountain West Title Odds
Utah State’s odds to win the Mountain West are +4000, via BetMGM.
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Utah State Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Utah State’s win total Over/Under is 5, with Under 5 at -130 and Over 5 at +110.
Utah State Football’s 2024 Schedule
8/31 vs Robert Morris
9/7 at USC
9/14 vs Utah
9/21 at Temple
10/5 at Boise State
10/12 vs UNLV
10/19 vs New Mexico
10/26 at Wyoming
11/9 at Washington State
11/16 vs Hawaii
11/23 vs San Diego State
11/30 at Colorado State
Bold indicates Mountain West contests
Key Utah State Football Returners
2023 All-Mountain West First Team
WR Jalen Royals
S Ike Larsen
All-Mountain West Honorable Mention
TE Broc Lane
WR Micah Davis
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Iowa Transfer Spencer Petras Ready To Run Utah State’s Offense
Spencer Petras, who spent the previous six seasons at Iowa, will run USU’s offense at quarterback.
During his career at Iowa, he appeared in 37 games, making 31 starts. He completed 56.7% of his passes for 5,199 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Petras sat out 2023 due to injury but started 12 games in 2022 and completed 55.9% of his passes for 1,725 yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Not surprisingly, wide receiver Jalen Royals and safety Ike Larsen were named to the preseason All-Mountain West team.
Royals had 71 receptions for 1,080 yards and a school-record 15 touchdowns. He was first in the Mountain West and second in the nation in receiving touchdowns. Larsen had a team-high four interceptions and was second on the team with 103 tackles.
Another major receiving threat is Micah Davis, who had 38 receptions for 628 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Broc Lane added 21 receptions for 208 yards and one TD.
Leading the ground game might be Rahsul Faison, who rushed for 736 yards and five touchdowns while appearing in all 13 games and making three starts.
The offensive line should be solid, led by Falepule Alo, Cole Motes, and Aloali’i Maui. Alo appeared in 10 games, making eight starts at center. Motes made eight starts at right tackle and two at left tackle. Maui played in all 13 games and started the final nine, with five at right guard and four at center.
The Aggies should be strongest in the secondary. Besides Larsen, cornerbacks Avante Dickerson and Jaiden Francois return. Dickerson, who began his college career at Oregon, started seven of 11 games and had 17 tackles and six pass breakups. Francois started seven of 12 games and recorded 57 tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception.
Heading up the defensive line is defensive end Blaine Spires, who started three of 12 games and had 27 tackles including 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks to go with three fumble recoveries and a team-best 10 quarterback hurries.
2024 Utah State Football Season Prediction
I predict Utah State won’t win the Mountain West and will win five games.
Even if the Aggies go 2-3 in non-league action (likely needing to beat Robert Morris and Temple to achieve this), they would need three more wins during their Mountain West schedule to get to five victories.
Achieving more than three Mountain West wins could be difficult, especially since the first two matchups are against Boise State and UNLV. Much depends on Petras, who has played a lot against Big Ten competition but has thrown too many interceptions. If he has a big year, then Utah State could exceed the preseason predictions.
