As the Aggies’ first game of the season approaches and the Gary Andersen era is set to kick off, I’ve been fielding a lot of questions about the Aggies’ chances against 19th-ranked Utah. Here’s my take: USU’s chances are decent.

Traditionally games against teams ranked in the top 25 have not been good to the Aggies. Thursday’s contest will mark the 50th time Utah State has taken on a ranked opponent, and the Aggies have amassed a not-so-stellar 1-48 record in the previous 49 games.

If that wasn’t enough to extinguish the hopes of the Aggie faithful, the Utes have won 19 of the last 21 meetings between the two schools, including 11 in a row. Despite these forlorn statistics, there are some positive signs that the Aggies can stamp their name back on this rivalry before it takes a two-year hiatus.

Last year, Utah went 13-0, dismantled national power Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and in the mind of most college football aficionados was the true National Champion.

That is not this year’s Utah team.

Defensive studs Paul Kruger and Sean Smith are now showcasing their skills in the NFL, longtime starting quarterback Brian Johnson has graduated and his backup Corbin Louks, who got pushed to third on the depth chart, eventually transferred to WAC foe Nevada.

Louks’ transfer leaves the Utes with no clear-cut QB as true freshman Jordan Wynn and junior college transfer Terrance Cain have been named co-starters for Thursday’s season opener.

Obviously these two signal callers must have some talent to knockout Louks who was the only QB on Utah’s roster with game experience after playing in games during his freshman and sophomore seasons, but the fact still remains that neither has taken a snap in a Division I football game.

Players aside, the biggest and most obvious advantage for the Aggies going into this year’s game could be familiarity. Andersen spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach for the Utes, including the last four as the defensive coordinator.

Along with Andersen, seven other current Utah State coaches have experience on the Utah sideline. That knowledge should give the Aggies a competitive edge that they probably won’t have against other opponents.

Similar to the Utes, this year’s version of the Aggies is not the same as in years past.

There has been a not so subtle buzz around the Valley about the 2009 football season, but that buzz is even more palpable within the team. The players have a new energy, one that has been clearly visible in practices, scrimmages and interviews.

Each player I’ve talked to is bigger, faster, stronger and hungrier. With a new offensive system that should highlight junior quarterback Diondre Borel’s talents and a fast, blitzing defense, the product on the field should be markedly better this year.

That said, Utah still has a lot of assets.

Running back Matt Asiata, who ran all over the Aggies for three touchdowns last year, is back in the backfield and safety Robert Johnson anchors a solid, speedy, big defense. Utah is deserving of its highest preseason ranking ever.

This will be a tough matchup for the Aggies, as will the majority of their preconference games. The Utes will hand nothing to USU, but unlike years past, the conclusion of this game is not forgone. If the Ags show up and handle their business, 1-0 is a feasible start to the season.

Tim Olsen is a senior majoring in print journalism. Comments can be sent to him at t.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu, or online at aggietownsquare.com.