All this and plenty more are on the line because the previous games both teams have played are hardly a measuring stick. Cupcakes, with icing.

BYU's opponents are a combined 12-32 (.375) Utah State's foes to date, not counting NAIA opponent Montana State-Northern (10-3), are 8-24 (.250).

According to RealtimeRPI.com, the Aggies have a 109 ranking while the Cougars are 144.

The Aggie strength of schedule is 305 while BYU's stands at 332, according to the Web site.

You get the idea.

Today, it begins to get tough.

From here out, the Aggies host Utah Dec. 22 and play Wyoming on the 31st. The Cougars play Boise State next week, go to No. 19 ASU, travel to Tulsa and get No. 17 Wake Forest at home Jan. 3.

Today, you got your Lee Cummard versus Tyler Newbold, Gary Wilkinson and Tai Wesley against Chris Miles and Tavernari.

Morrill against Rose. MWC versus WAC.

The pre-game billboard fits.

We should expect the actual game to do so, too.

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E-mail: amorton@desnews.com