2011 Utah State Football Predictions

Written by Steve Janus

The Utah State Aggies enter into the third season under head coach Gary Anderson. In his first two seasons Anderson is a combined 8-16 overall and just 5-11 in the WAC. While it hasn’t been a great start, I wouldn’t be surprised if Anderson and the Aggies flirted with a winning record in 2011. They have 12 starters back and return running back Robert Turbin and wide out Stanley Morrison, who both had to use their medical redshirt last year. To give you a better idea of what the Aggies will look like in 2011, here is a quick breakdown of both sides of the ball and my prediction on where I have them finishing in the WAC.

Offense:

In 2010 the Aggies offense managed just 22 ppg after scoring 29 ppg in 2009. A big reason for that was the decline in production from starting quarterback Diondre Borel, who finished with just 8 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. While Borel did have 298 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, it won’t be hard for Utah State to find someone who can be more efficient with the football. Heading into the fall it looks as though junior college transfer Adam Kennedy has the best shot at starting. If Kennedy surprises, so will the Aggies.

At running back Utah State loses Derrvin Speight, but should see a huge increase in production if Turbin is healthy. In 2009 Turbin rushed for 1,296 yards and was named 2nd-Team All-Conference.

At wide receiver the Aggies return their top five threats from 2010, and add in Morrison and senior Matt Adams, who both missed 2010 with injuries. Morrison led the team with 33 catches for 616 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore in 2009. With the return of Morrison and Adams the Aggies will have one of the most talented receiving corps in the WAC, the only question is will they have anyone who can get them the football.

On the offensive line the Aggies return four starters from last year, and look to be at their best in the middle with senior guards Philip Gapelu and Funaki Asisi and talented sophomore center Tyler Larsen. Eric Shultz will return at left tackle, while junior college transfer Stetson Tenney looks to come in and take over at right tackle. Overall this unit is the best Anderson has had at Utah State, and should really allow Turbin to put up some monster numbers on the ground.

Defense:

The Aggies were torched on the defensive side of the ball for 33.8 ppg in 2010, and with just five starters back on this side of the ball it won’t be easy to improve. Utah State runs a 3-4 scheme on the defensive side of the ball, and in order for this defense to work they have to get strong play out of the front three. They return a couple of solid defensive ends in seniors Quinn Garner and Levi Koskan, but really need junior college transfer Havae Lasike to come in and hold down the starting nose tackle spot.

Senior inside linebackers Kyle Gallagher and Bobby Wagner are the leaders of this defense. Wagner led the team with 133 tackles, while Gallagher finished second with 91. These two will be joined by a couple of new starters on the outside, but everyone will have their eyes on junior college transfer Bojay Filimoeatu, who was one of the best junior college players in the country in 2011.

In the secondary the only starter back is senior free safety Walter McClenton, who finished third on the team with 62 tackles in 2010. Junior Dontel Watkins led the Aggies with 42 catches for 492 yards and four touchdowns last year, but is expected to start at corner in 2011. Watkins will be joined by sophomore Cameron Sanders, who started four games as a freshman, while senior Alfred Bowden takes over at strong safety.

2011 Prediction: 7th WAC – I had a hard time picking the Aggies to finish this low in the standings, but without knowing what they have at quarterback it’s hard to pick them much higher after their 2010 performance. It also won’t be easy for Utah State to overcome having to play four of their seven conference games on the road. Plus, two of their home games are against Louisiana Tech and Nevada, who will be fighting for the WAC Title this season.

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