Previewing Utah State Aggies Offense
Wisconsin Badger football kicks off the 2017 season on Friday against the Utah State Aggies. Therefore, lets look at what to expect from Utah State’s offense
The Utah State Aggies finished 3-9 in 2016. Offensive struggles was likely a major reason why. The Aggies only averaged 23.9 points per game ranking 108th out of 128 teams nationally.
In fact, Utah State scored 13 or fewer points in four of its 12 games.
Interestingly, Utah State scored 90 of its 287 total points in the first quarter (31.4 percent). So the numbers indicate the Aggies start hot but fade throughout the game.
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Notably, the red zone offense was a problem for the Aggies. Utah State scored on 84 percent of its red zone trips (31-37). However, the team scored TDs on 22 of those 37 possessions (59 percent).
Turns out scoring TDs helps the cause more than FGs. Sorry for the esoteric analysis.
In general, the Aggies were fairly balanced. They ran the ball 411 times and passed the ball 382 times. That translates to a 51.8 percent to 48.2 percent run-pass split. Keep in mind, the QB dropping back to pass and then scrambling counts as a rushing attempt.
Utah State averaged just over 200 yards passing per game (205.8) in 2016. QB Kent Meyers completed 58.4 percent of his passes while tossing 10 TDs and eight INTs. He only averaged 6.6 yards per pass attempt indicating lots of short throws near the line of scrimmage.
Meyers was the 2nd leading rusher on the Aggies with 449 yards (3.9 per carry average) and six TDs on the ground. As a team, Utah State averaged a respectable 170.5 rushing yards per game and a health five yards per carry average. All told, the Aggies return five of it seven rushers who topped the century mark on the ground last season.
The Utah State passing game may struggle early this season due to the Aggies needing to replace its 2nd, 3rd, and 4th best receivers from 2016. That trio combined for 101 of Utah State’s 220 catches last season. However, the Aggies do return leading WR and Key-and-Peele star Ron’quavion Tarver.
Next: Big Ten Network Preseason Power Rankings
In sum, the Utah State Aggies don’t pose a particular potent threat to the Wisconsin defense. They clearly prefer an even run-pass split but that will change if the Badgers build an early lead and the visitors have to play catch up.