When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Maverik Stadium

TV: USA

Radio: 104.3 FM

BetMGM Line: CSU +3.5, 63.5 over/under

Weather: 58 degrees, cloudy with possible showers

Series history: CSU leads 40-38-2, and won last matchup 42-37 in 2024 in Fort Collins

Three storylines

Hauss Hejny’s mojo: The quarterback returned from injury last week and carried the Rams to a win over San Diego State, earning CSU’s first victory as a member of the rebuilt Pac-12. Hejny made clutch plays with his arm and his feet, finishing with 333 yards and three TDs through the air plus 85 yards and two TDs by ground. If he stays healthy, Hejny could change the trajectory of CSU’s season, but he’ll have to keep playing nearly perfect to offset a horrendous Rams defense that ranks last in the nation, allowing 535.3 yards per game.

Get-right for CSU D?: Speaking of the Rams’ beleaguered defense, Saturday gives CSU’s D a chance to build confidence, and maybe even keep the Utah State offense under 40 points. That feat hasn’t happened since CSU beat Southern Utah on Sept. 12. The Aggies’ offense is bottom-of-the-barrel nationally, ranking 128th of 138 Division I FBS teams with 306.4 yards per game. They are converting on third down just 35.8% of the time. If CSU can get off the field on those downs, the Rams can fast-track to victory.

No Juice for CSU: Hejny and the Rams offense will be without a top playmaker in tight end Juice Vereen, who was injured in the win over San Diego State. This week, CSU head coach Jim Mora described Vereen’s injury as “pretty significant.” That’s one less aerial threat, and Rams fans should hope that No. 1 wideout RJ Vick can return this week after missing two games. Leading rusher Mel Brown, who also left the SDSU game with an injury and did not return, is questionable to play Saturday. All those variables mean more pressure on Hejny to carry the load.

Predictions

Kyle Newman, sportswriter: CSU 42, Utah State 38

I watched Utah State barely eke out a win over downtrodden Washington State a few weeks ago; these Aggies are not very good. Then again, Utah State did play Washington tough on the road (a 19-17 loss on Sept. 12) and held Texas State, which ran roughshod over the CSU defense, to just 20 points last week. Once again, it will be up to Hauss Hejny to put CSU on his shoulders, and he’ll do just enough for another W while the Rams defense shows some improvement by making a couple key stops in the second half.

Troy Renck, sports columnist: CSU 34, Utah State 33

This comes down to the evil of two lessers. Utah State has scored 73 points over the last five games, averaging 14.6. CSU has allowed 271 points over their last five games or 54.4 a week. Something has to give. The Sloth offense vs. the Swiss (cheese) defense. If Hauss Hejny is healthy, the Rams should have just enough to win on the road. He is a true dual threat and takes care of the football, meaning CSU should be able to lean on the ground attack to limit Utah State’s possessions.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Utah State 37, CSU 32

Did the Rams get their groove back? CSU’s win over San Diego State last week was a friendly reminder that Hauss Hejny (16 total TDs in four games) is currently the best FBS QB in the state, especially with Air Force’s Liam Szarka on the shelf. But the Rams D still can’t tackle ... or cover ... or get off blocks ... and really, really needs to force turnovers to not get scored upon. Fortunately, the the Aggies rank No. 125th nationally in turnover margin, and have averaged almost two giveaways per game, and 2.3 oopsies per contest in Logan. Alas, Hauss won’t be enough by himself in a building where CSU has struggled royally this decade.

Nate Peterson, sports editor: CSU 42, Utah State 31

The Rammies’ bowl hopes will get a boost on Halloween, courtesy of an Aggies attack that doesn’t scare anyone. This looks like a get-right game for the CSU defense before a big home test against ranked Boise State the folllowing week. Hauss Hejny will miss Juice Vereen, but CSU will keep it rolling in the revamped Pac-12 to get to .500 on the season.