The Utah State football program was dealing with challenges before the 2024 season even began.
After the preseason firing of head coach Blake Anderson, the Aggies went 4-8 last year with a 3-4 mark in Mountain West play. They did win three of their last five games, though.
USU hopes things are different in 2025. Bronco Mendenhall is USU’s head coach after a season at New Mexico where he helped the Lobos show some progress after years of struggle.
The Aggies hope they can also turn things around in a short amount of time.
Utah State Football’s Mountain West Title Betting Odds
Utah State’s odds to win the Mountain West are +5000, via BetMGM, while USU’s odds of making the title game are +3000. The Aggies’ odds of making the College Football Playoff are +10000.
Utah State Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
USU’s win total Over/Under is 4.5, with Under 4.5 at -160 and Over 4.5 at +135.
Utah State Football’s 2025 Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. UTEP
Sept. 6 @ Texas A&M
Sept. 13 vs. Air Force
Sept. 20 vs. McNeese
Sept. 27 @ Vanderbilt
Oct. 11 @ Hawaii
Oct. 17 vs. San Jose State
Oct. 25 @ New Mexico
Nov. 8 vs. Nevada
Nov. 15 @ UNLV
Nov. 22 @ Fresno State
Nov. 28 vs. Boise State
Dec. 5 Mountain West Championship
Bold indicates Mountain West contests
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Key Utah State Football Returners
2024 All-Mountain West Honorable Mention
DT Gabriel Iniguez Jr.
Utah State Football Returns Key Players & Adds Transfers
Following the coaching change, Utah State’s roster will look different compared to last season.
But the Aggies might have a familiar face starting at quarterback. Bryson Barnes is back after showing some potential in limited time. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound graduate student earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors after setting a single-game program record with 193 rushing yards to go with one touchdown against San Diego State last November. In nine games and three starts, Barnes completed 61% of his passes for 856 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions while rushing for 530 yards and five scores on 68 carries.
Jacob Conover, a former transfer from Arizona State who appeared in two games for USU last year, Anthony Garcia, a transfer from Arizona, and CJ Tiller, a former transfer from Boise State, are also some options at QB for Utah State.
Rahsul Faison, who rushed for 1,109 yards and eight scores in 2024, is gone. Barnes is USU’s leading returning rusher, though Derrick Jameson is back after rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
Jalen Royals, USU’s best playmaker the past couple years, is now in the NFL. In fact, USU’s top five players in receiving yards from last year are gone. Tight end Josh Sterzer is USU’s leading returner in that statistical category after catching 20 passes for 202 yards and four touchdowns.
None of USU’s primary starters on the offensive line are back. Trey Andersen and George Maile are among USU’s returners who did gain some starting experience last season, though.
On defense, only three of USU’s top 13 tacklers from last season are back. Those players could end up playing key roles in 2025.
Defensive tackle Gabriel Iniguez Jr. was on the Mountain West honorable mention list in 2024. The 6-1, 280-pound senior tallied 29 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and two quarterback hurries a year ago.
Ike Larsen, a former Group of Five All-American defensive back, was second on the team last year with 80 total tackles. He added nine pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one interception.
John Miller contributed 52 tackles, which ranked fourth on the team, while recording 5.5 TFLs, two sacks, four quarterback hurries, and two PBUs as he started seven games at linebacker.
But with so many players from last year gone, the Aggies will need to rely on their incoming transfers. They did add several talented players, but time will tell how much of a role each one will play.
Utah State Football Season Prediction
I predict Utah State won’t win the Mountain West but will go well Over 4.5 wins.
After seeing what he just did at New Mexico, I think Bronco Mendenhall can lead the Aggies to a bowl berth in 2025. And aside from that, I think USU has enough talent on its roster to be competitive in the Mountain West.
To start the year, I could see Utah State going 3-2. Even if USU doesn’t upset Texas A&M or Vanderbilt, the Aggies should be capable of beating UTEP, Air Force, and McNeese at home.
At that point, USU just needs two more wins to hit the Over and three more to get to .500. I’m looking specifically at games at Hawaii, New Mexico, and Fresno State. I like San Jose State and Nevada this year, and UNLV and Boise State should be strong again. Even if the Aggies don’t pull off upsets there, I think they will prove to be tough matchups for those squads.
And going 6-6 overall would be exciting considering where this team was a year ago.
