Utah State football: Aggies head to hostile Aggieland

COLLEGE STATION, Texas ?— They've both had two weeks to pore over game film, try to correct flaws discovered in the season-opener and prepare for an opponent they know little about.

But the Utah State football team is at a decided disadvantage as it travels to a place called Aggieland by the locals.

"It is a great place to go play. It will be very loud," USU coach Gary Andersen said. "There will be a lot of emotion in the football game from their standpoint being at home. But we are looking forward to walking into that arena, one of the great spots in college football, and competing at a very high level."

Utah State has never faced Texas A&M. But the home-standing Aggies, despite their recent struggles and the scandals that have seen a coach or two leave town, thrashed their season-opening opponent, New Mexico, and have had the same two weeks to prepare for tonight's kickoff that USU has had.

According to A&M coach Mike Sherman, that time has been valuable to learn about Utah State and try to avoid what would be a shocking loss at historic Kyle Field in front of nearly 80,000 fans.

"In studying their ballgame, I thought they played a very good Utah team extremely well," said Sherman, the former Super Bowl-winning Green Bay Packers head coach. "They really contained Utah in the third and fourth quarters. They got off to a rough start, fell behind a little bit, and battled their way back, and I thought their kids played hard the entire ballgame. But their second-half play was outstanding."

Texas A&M has transformed itself from the once run-ruled offense of the past to a balanced attack that posted more than 600 yards against the Lobos two weeks ago.

They have an experienced pro-sized quarterback and a trio of runners who share the load and churn out the yards.

Texas A&M's offense, understandably, has Andersen's defensive mind working overtime.

"I thought we got a good start on Texas A&M last week. The attitude of the young men was very good. I think we got better throughout the week," Andersen said of USU's preparations. "That was the main purpose.

"Texas A&M is obviously a quality opponent. Anytime you put 600 yards on someone on offense, that is a very good outing. Their defense played very well against who I think is a very good quarterback at New Mexico."

Utah State, offensively, will try to counter with a tightened up offensive line that provides better pass protection for Diondre Borel and holes for Robert Turbin to break through.