Utah State, Utah Utes football game day

NEXT UP

Utah State travels to Texas A&M on Sept. 19. The Aggies have never faced the better-known Aggies.

Utah visits San Jose State on Sept. 12 (8:30 p.m., ESPN-U). The Utes own an all-time 4-1 record versus the Spartans with their most recent meeting coming in 1998 — a 49-17 Utah victory. Utah's only loss (24-6) in the series came in 1974 at home.

THE STAKES

For Utah State ... The Aggies are looking to open the Gary Andersen era on a positive note. With the long-running series set to take a two-year break after this meeting, the winner will have bragging rights until 2012.

For Utah ... The Utes have the nation's best 14-game winning streak and have defeated the Aggies 11 times in a row.

THE TRENDS

For Utah State ... The Aggies have won just three of their last 22 season openers. The victories came in 1993, 1996 and 1997.

For Utah ... The Utes have won the past 11 games in the series with USU, prevailing by an average margin of 24.6 points.

THE EDGE

Utah State will win if ... the defense is able to apply extreme pressure on Utah's new starting quarterback.

Utah will win if ... the Utes take care of business. They simply have more weapons and depth than the Aggies.

PLAYER TO WATCH

JORDAN WYNN and TERRANCE CAIN (pictured left to right), Utah: All eyes will be on the quarterbacks. Neither has played in a major college football game before. The biggest question? Do the Utes have an adequate replacement for Sugar Bowl MVP Brian Johnson.

KEY MATCHUP

WHITTINGHAM vs. ANDERSEN: Both coaches insist it's all about the players. This one, however, has brought the coaches into the forefront. How will Whittingham's longtime friend and colleague fare in his first battle against his former boss.

INJURY REPORT

UTAH STATE: None reported.

UTAH: Defensive end Koa Misi (back) and left guard Caleb Schlauderaff (knee) will be game-time decisions. Right guard Walter Watts (knee) is expected to play.

UTE SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time (TV)

Sept. 3 Utah St. 7 p.m. (mtn.)

Sept. 12 at San Jose St. 8:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

Sept. 19 at Oregon 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Sept. 26 Louisville 5:30 p.m. (CBSC)

Oct. 10 at Colorado St. 4 p.m. (mtn.)

Oct. 17 at UNLV 8 p.m. (mtn.)

Oct. 24 Air Force 2 p.m. (VS)

Oct. 31 Wyoming 6 p.m. (mtn.)

Nov. 7 New Mexico 4 p.m. (mtn.)

Nov. 14 at TCU 7:30 p.m. (CBS C)

Nov. 21 San Diego St. 2 p.m. (VS)

Nov. 28 at BYU 3 p.m. (CBS C, mtn.)