Utah State

Utah State enters its inaugural Pac-12 season with quarterback depth chart questions that go beyond the surface. Despite Bryson Barnes returning as the starter, the Aggies added McCae Hillstead from BYU through the portal while losing backup CJ Tiller, creating an unsettled picture behind center that defines their offseason uncertainty. The team's -2.9 JP+ rating ranks 81st nationally, with both sides of the ball grading below average — offense at -0.9 (77th) and defense at -1.7 (85th). Utah State addressed its receiving corps after losing top target Braden Pegan to Utah, bringing in Javon Robinson from Georgia State and Eli Wood from Virginia to help replace 49 points of production above average.

JP+ projects 4.9 wins for the Aggies in their step up to Pac-12 competition, a total that reflects the structural uncertainty around offensive continuity and the challenge of facing Washington, Utah, and San Diego State on the road. The defense shows more stability than the offense, which lost concentrated production and faces questions about depth and replacement quality across multiple positions. If Barnes stays healthy and the portal additions at receiver translate quickly, Utah State could surprise in a few winnable home games against Troy and Colorado State. If the offensive continuity concerns prove warranted, the Aggies could struggle to reach bowl eligibility in their new conference.