Another WAC measuring stick for Aggies — Boise St.

LOGAN — Depending on your perspective, things are getting better or worse for the Utah State Aggies.

Better or worse in the sense that the Aggies (2-3, 1-2) lost to Fresno State 53-21 last week, and the Bulldogs were slated to finish second in the Western Athletic Conference. This week, the Aggies take on Boise State on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., and the Broncos were selected to win the WAC.

And, looking one week ahead, the Aggies travel to No. 5 Alabama.

You make the call — better or worse?

Utah State football coach Brent Guy called the game at Fresno a test to see where the Aggies stood in the WAC, but instead of being a measuring tool, the Bulldogs pulled out the whooping stick.

"It was a measuring stick and they took the stick away from us and hit us over the head a bunch of times," Guy said. "We have a ways to go before we can compete with the Fresno State teams both mentally on the road and also physically."

Guy said the game wasn't a total loss, though.

"There were a few positives, but we have to regroup as a football team," he said. "I told the team after the game they have 7 1/2 hours — three days of practice — to get ready for the WAC champion. Fresno State has not beat Boise State. We are fixing to see the team that is the actual champion. That is the challenge we have."

The positives Saturday? The Aggies started strong as Terrance Washington intercepted a pass and the offense converted it into a touchdown to lead 7-0. With the Fresno second team in the game, the Aggies won the fourth quarter by scoring 14 points. They would have needed a 46-point fourth to forge a tie, however.

"We physically got challenged and we did not respond very well," he said.

With the victory over Utah State, the Bulldogs improved to 97-67-1 in 14 seasons in WAC play. Under coach Pat Hill, the Bulldogs are 49-19.

Also, Fresno State and No. 1 USC are tied for second for the most wins in the West in the past decade with 49. Boise State leads with 57 victories.

Boise State has won 28 consecutive WAC games dating back to Nov. 10, 2001.

The Broncos (4-2, 2-0) beat the Aggies 63-38 the last time the two teams met in 2002.