Most years, the Big West Championship is on the line when Utah State and Nevada meet on the football field. That was the case the past two years while in 1992 and 1995, the USU-Nevada outcome ended up deciding which team won the championship.

This year's contest, however, will be a matter of survival. The loser will fall out of any hope for a piece of the championship and be relegated to the lower half of the final Big West standings.Both USU and Nevada come into the game (1 p.m., Romney Stadium) with two losses, which most years would mean no chance at a share of the title. But in this year's balanced Big West, any team can beat any other and already every team has at least one loss and three teams have two.

Coach Dave Arslanian believes he knows how the Wolf Pack feel right now.

"Maybe they are feeling like, after they had their disappointments in their first two league games like we have, we are still the defending Big West champs," he said. "Nevada shared in that last year and maybe their attitude is still the same as ours in some ways - let's not give up the crown easily. Right now a 3-2 record could tie for that crown."

In Nevada, the Aggies will be facing the league's hottest team. The past two weeks, the Wolf Pack has racked up 110 points and more than 1,000 yards with convincing wins over Idaho and Boise State. The fact that each of those wins came a week after those teams defeated Utah State, makes Ar-slan-ian nervous.

"They are certainly coming on strong," he said. "I'm very impressed with the way Nevada is playing. That freshman quarterback continues to get better and better. On defense they are very athletic. They have big strong defensive backs who are good coverage players."

Nevada has always been one of the nation's top offensive teams and this year is no different. Behind freshman quarterback David Neill, Nevada is seventh in the nation in total offense and fifth in passing offense.

The Aggies rank 19th in the nation in total defense, thanks mostly to their rush defense, which allows just 115.6 yards per game. However, because Nevada is a prolific passing team, the Aggies could be in trouble, especially with one of their best players out.

Free safety Johndale Carty, a three-year starter and second-leading tackler on the team, underwent shoulder surgery Thursday and will be out for the year. Carty was originally hurt the shoulder in the Oregon State game and sat out two games. He played the last two weeks in pain but opted for sugery this week.

With Carty out, the Aggie secondary will play musical chairs again with Donald Dicko moving to free safety and Craig Miller from cornerback to strong safety. Vashon Garmon and Tony Walker will play the corners with Greg White backing up.

Two years ago, the Ags were unbeaten in league play when the Wolf Pack came to Logan and administered a 54-27 whipping. However last year, the Aggies went to Reno and turned the tables and doubled the score on Nevada 38-19 to clinch the Big West title.