2009 College Football Predictions: Utah State Aggies

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This is a continuation of our series on our exclusive 2009 college football predictions.  Follow all of our 2009 college football predictions here (team by team) or here (by conference).

Utah State Aggies

2008 Record: (3-9, 3-5)
Coach: Gary Anderson, 1st year (4-7 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Dave Baldwin (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Bill Busch (1st year)
Returning Starters: 19 (10 offense, 7 defense, kicker, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Diondre Borel)

Offense: The Aggies return 10 starters from a unit that produced 24ppg and 334.3 yards per game. New coach Gary Anderson has his work cut out for him. Junior QB Diondre Borel (6-0, 174) is back, after rushing for 632 yards and tossing for 1,705 yards. He started the final nine games last year and showed a great ability to run. Now he needs to improve his overall passing game. At running back, sophomore Robert Turbin (5-10, 202) averaged 4.6 yards per carry, but touched the ball less than 10 times per game. The return a solid receiving corps, but they lack a number one option and a playmaker. Sophomore Stanley Morrison (26 catches) is the best option. Up front, the line returns four starters including center Brennan McFadden (6-2, 305), who was named to the second-team All-WAC last seaosn.

Defense: The defense returns seven starters on a unit that allowed 34.7ppg (107th in the nation) and 412.7 yards per game (99th in the nation). New defensive coordinator Bill Busch has moved 14 players from offense or other defensive positions to new spots on defense. They had to add more speed to the defense. Up front, they return three starters, but two may be replaced. Senior LB Paul Igboeli (6-0, 201) is the top returner, who has racked up 242 career tackles. The second-team All-WAC selection recorded 78 tackles last year. However, they lose All-WAC LB Jake Hutton, who quit due to foot problems. In the secondary, they do have some talent and two returning starters. Senior FS James Brindley (5-11, 189) is the top player who picked off three passes.

Outlook: The Aggies open with Utah and Texas A&M on the road, which is just brutal. They also face Southern Utah at hoe and then BYU on the road. In conference, they host Boise State and Louisiana Tech and face Fresno State on the road. New coach, new staff and different system. The talent is just not there yet so expect a long season in Logan.

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