LOGAN — Utah State hasn't won a football game in 11 months. The last win came against Fresno State on Oct. 22 in Logan.

On Thursday night, the Aggies host FCS opponent Idaho State in the season home opener at Maverik Stadium. USU is coming off a 59-10 beatdown by ninth-ranked Wisconsin, while Idaho State won its season opener, 37-6, over Western Oregon.

Here is a little breakdown of the things to watch for on Thursday night.

Can USU stay consistent both offensively and defensively?

Utah State head coach Matt Wells said in his Monday morning press conference that "a lot of good came out of the early part of the game in terms of how we played defensively. ... You flip the tape after halftime and right out of the gate you have two young players that don't do one assignment right, they don't do one technique right, and we miss an open-field tackle. Three plays later, it is a touchdown."

Wells went on to say, "we struggled on offense in the third quarter just to get a first down and move the ball. Getting behind the chains, you have to be able to run the ball ... then it got out of hand."

Consistency is something the Aggies have struggled with for a while. But, even with that inconsistency, USU has been able to compete. About the only game from the end of the 2016 season that the Aggies were out of completely was when they hosted San Diego State on Oct. 28.

People might argue that USU got beat by 24 at Wyoming, but they forget that USU came out and scored 21 unanswered points to start the second half to make it a one-score game.

USU has the athletes in place to be good on both sides of the ball. Despite the fact that starting running back Tonny Lindsey Jr. will be out for Thursday night's matchup, Idaho State head coach Rob Phenicie recognizes there is no drop off at that position.

"I think the one running back, Lindsey, might be out. The other one (LaJuan Hunt) that comes in is just as good. They're two peas in a pod those two. You don't drop off at all when the other one comes in."

Defensively, it is about keeping that chip on the shoulders. The Aggies came out aggressive against Wisconsin and it led to the early 10-0 lead. Dallin Leavitt is the catalyst and leader of the Aggie defense.

"Dallin Leavitt had a good game," Wells said. "He played with emotion. He played well and tackled in space."

Get Kent Myers Going Early

The USU offense wants to be up-tempo, fast-paced and airing the ball out all over the field. They have the receiving corps to do just that. Against Wisconsin, USU quarterback Kent Myers had just 219 yards passing. That's not going to get it done.

Last year against FCS opponent Weber State the Aggies rushed for 428 yards including a career-high 213 yards from Devante Mays. What they didn't do was establish a passing game.

In the 2017 contest against an overwhelmed FCS opponent, new offensive coordinator David Yoast has to let Myers air it out and build some confidence in his playmaking ability. It will be key going forward if the Aggies are expected to get back to a bowl game after missing out in 2016.

Feed Off the Hurd

Playing at Maverik Stadium, in front of one of the most loyal fan bases should be enough to help USU pick up its first win since October 2016. Play with emotion and let the crowd get into the game. Feed off their support. Idaho State head coach Rob Phenicie knows how difficult it will be to knock off the Aggies and knows what it is like to play against Utah State.

"In the five years I was in the Mountain West, the times we played at Utah State we always came out of that game a little beat up."

Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. MT on Thursday night in Logan.

Kyle McDonald is sports fan who loves the Chicago Cubs. Follow him on Twitter at @kylesportsbias

Related topics