Utah State had quite the drop off this year after going 11-3 and picking up a win in the LA Bowl last season. The Aggies were just 6-6 in 2022, although that’s not a bad rebound from a 1-4 start. Memphis (6-6) had the opposite season, beginning 4-1 before giving up two TDs in the final 1:30 in a 33-32 loss to Houston sent them spiraling to five defeats in their last seven games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re riding momentum, it’s definitely Utah State that has it even though they did lose 42-23 to Boise State in the regular season finale. It’s interesting that the Aggies got better even after losing QBs Logan Bonner <\/strong>(3,560 yards, 36 TDs last year<\/a>) and Levi Williams<\/strong> (started multiple games at Wyoming last two seasons) to injuries and freshman Cooper Legas<\/strong> took over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Legas has struggled throwing 4 INTs in his last two starts, but he does get a break in that it looks like Calvin Tyler, Jr. <\/strong>will play in this game, Tyler (1,034 yards) has declared for the NFL draft, but the Beaumont, TX native wants one last opportunity to suit up in his home state as the First Responder Bowl is held in Dallas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n