Can the Utah State Aggies Football Team Make a Bowl Game This Season?

2025-11-11 13:00

You know, as I sit here watching the NCAA football season unfold, I can't help but wonder about the Utah State Aggies' bowl game chances this year. It reminds me of that incredible Game 2 performance I witnessed from Justin Brownlee in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals - the man dropped 35 points including those clutch last four points that sealed the 71-70 victory for Ginebra against TNT. That kind of heroic performance is exactly what the Aggies need from their key players if they want to punch their ticket to a bowl game this season.

Let me be honest with you - I've been following Utah State football for about seven seasons now, and there's something special about this program that keeps pulling me back. They're like that underdog team in a sports movie that you can't help but root for. Last season, they finished 6-6, which honestly felt like they were right on the cusp of something great but just couldn't get over the hump. I remember watching their game against Air Force where they led for three quarters before collapsing in the fourth - it was heartbreaking, man. But this year feels different. There's a new energy around the program, and I think they've learned from those close losses.

Looking at their schedule, I count about eight winnable games if everything breaks right. They open against FCS opponent Stony Brook, which should be a comfortable win - I'm predicting something like 38-10. Then comes the real test: back-to-back games against Power Five opponents. Last year, they nearly upset Alabama in Tuscaloosa, losing by just seven points in a game where everyone expected them to get blown out. This year, they face Oregon State and Washington State, both tough opponents but not unbeatable. I think they can split these two games if their defense shows up like it did against Alabama last season.

The Mountain West schedule is where things get really interesting. They've got Boise State at home this year, which is huge because the Broncos have dominated this rivalry recently. I was at the game two years ago when they lost 42-13, and it was brutal to watch. But this Aggies team seems more resilient. Their quarterback, Cooper Legas, has shown flashes of brilliance - remember that four-touchdown game against Colorado State last October? That's the kind of performance they'll need consistently.

What really gives me hope is their offense. They're returning seven starters, including their entire offensive line. In college football, that continuity is gold. Last season, they averaged 28.7 points per game, but I think they can push that to 32-35 this year. Their running back, Calvin Tyler Jr., rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, and I expect him to be even better this year. If they can establish the run game early in contests, it will open up their passing attack significantly.

Now, let's talk about the defense, because this is where I have some concerns. They gave up 31.8 points per game last season, which simply isn't good enough for bowl eligibility in most cases. However, they've brought in some transfers that should help immediately. I'm particularly excited about this linebacker from Florida they picked up - kid runs a 4.5 forty and hits like a truck. If the defense can improve just marginally - say, holding opponents to 27 points per game - that could be the difference between 5-7 and 7-5.

The special teams unit might be their secret weapon. Their kicker, Connor Coles, made 18 of 22 field goals last season, including a 52-yarder against Wyoming that had me jumping off my couch. In close games, having a reliable kicker is worth at least one extra win per season. I can't tell you how many games I've watched where teams lose because they can't make a 35-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

Here's what I think will happen: they'll start 3-1 in non-conference play, then go 4-4 in the Mountain West. That puts them at 7-5, which should be enough for bowl eligibility. The key games will be against Air Force (revenge game), Colorado State (always a shootout), and New Mexico (should be a comfortable win). If they can win two of those three, they're in good shape.

I know some analysts are skeptical because they lost their top receiver to the draft, but I actually think their receiving corps might be deeper this year. They've got this freshman from Texas who's been turning heads in practice - runs a 4.3 forty and has hands like Velcro. Sometimes these young players come in and make an immediate impact that nobody saw coming.

The coaching staff deserves credit too. Blake Anderson has done a remarkable job changing the culture there. I spoke with some players during spring practice, and they genuinely believe they can compete for the Mountain West title. That confidence matters - it's the difference between hoping to win and expecting to win. Remember that Justin Brownlee performance I mentioned earlier? That wasn't just skill - it was belief. The Aggies need that same level of belief in crunch time.

At the end of the day, making a bowl game comes down to winning the games you're supposed to win and stealing a couple you're not. The Aggies have the talent to do both this season. Will it be easy? Absolutely not. But after watching them fight through adversity last season and seeing the improvements they've made, I'm betting they get to six wins and maybe even seven. The path is there - they just need to execute. And honestly, as a longtime fan, there's nothing I'd love more than watching them play in December somewhere warm.