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Utah State · Week 3 · 2026 · Pac-12

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All signal. No noise.

The Saturday readUtah State · Week 3 · 2026

Utah State vs Troy

Saturday, September 26 · 5:30 p.m. MT · CBS Sports Network

Maverik Stadium, Logan, Utah

The lineGive the backs somewhere to go.

01 / The plan

What matters Saturday

  1. 01

    Run blocking

    Create a running lane

  2. 02

    Passing decisions

    Protect the next possession

  3. 03

    Defensive assignments

    Keep the right responsibility

02 / Desk read

The read

Watch the designed runs before judging the offense by a scramble or a deep completion. Useful gains would make the next passing down less predictable.

Run blocking

In the field

AP Top 25 · Week 4

Unranked

1 of 12 opponents ranked.

  1. 15at UtahSaturday, September 19

Poll published Sep 20. Checked Sep 24.

This week

Updated Sep 18

Utah State heads to Utah needing a more dependable running game. Local analysis shows how much scrambles have carried the offense; Mendenhall’s defensive focus is staying disciplined against Utah’s misdirection.

  1. 01

    Mendenhall stresses eye discipline against Utah’s misdirectionOpens in a new tab

    Watch defenders stay with their assignments when Utah shows a handoff or changes direction. Chasing the first movement can leave the keeper or receiver uncovered.

    KSL Sports · Sep 15

  2. 02

    Local analysis puts designed runs at 2.5 yards per attemptOpens in a new tab

    Cache Valley Daily’s calculation removes scrambles and sacks from the season totals. Watch whether the blocking gives the backs dependable gains against Utah.

    Cache Valley Daily · Sep 15

  3. 03

    Utah State allowed one touchdown at WashingtonOpens in a new tab

    Repeat those stops against Utah.

    Associated Press · Sep 12

  4. 04

    Utah beat Arkansas 43-10 before the rivalry gameOpens in a new tab

    Watch the quarterback both in the pocket and on keepers. Losing track of the back or tight end can turn containment into an open passing lane.

    Utah Athletics · Sep 13

  5. 05

    Rice-Eccles scans tickets before security screeningOpens in a new tab

    Download your ticket into your phone’s wallet before arrival. Utah’s entry guide also points to no-bag lanes at the main gates.

    Utah Athletics · Sep 7

03 / Road ahead

Next three

  1. vs Troy · Next

    5:30 p.m. MTCBS Sports Network

  2. at Boise State

    5:30 p.m. MTCBS Sports Network

  3. vs Washington State

    7 p.m. MTThe CW