Utah State @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2012 ) Utah 20, Utah State 27

Utah will look for its 13th win in its last 14 games against visiting Utah State as the longtime in-state rivalry continues on Thursday. The Battle of the Brothers is the 12th-longest standing rivalry in college football and heads toward its 111th installment. The Utes are 77-29-4 all-time against the Aggies and had won 12 straight before Utah State won 27-20 in overtime last season.

Utah sophomore quarterback Travis Wilson will look to turn the program around this season after starting seven games last season and throwing for seven touchdowns and 1,311 yards. The Aggies, led by junior signal caller Chuckie Keeton, are trying to build off one of the best seasons in school history.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Utah -2.

ABOUT UTAH STATE (2012: 11-2, 6-0 Western Athletic Conference): The Aggies have reached consecutive bowl games for the third time in program history, and will seek continued success under first-year head coach Matt Wells. Utah State returns 18 starters, including Keeton (27 touchdowns last season) and senior offensive linemen Tyler Larsen and Eric Schultz. Last year, the Aggies set program records for total yardage (6,108) and total points (454), but lost first-team all-league running back Kerwynn Williams, who rushed for 1,512 yards and 15 touchdowns.

ABOUT UTAH (2012: 5-7, 3-6 Pacific 12): Wilson and the Utes passing game are coming off a dreadful season, where they ranked last in the conference with 190.7 yards per game, but with Dennis Erickson as the new co-offensive coordinator and primary play-caller, that could change. Senior Kelvin York replaces John White, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, as the starting running back. The biggest question on the defensive side of the ball is the line where Utah looks to replace defensive end Joe Kruger, who left early for the NFL.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Utah returns Dres Anderson as its leading receiver. Anderson hauled in 36 passes for 365 yards and three touchdowns.

2. Utah State ranked seventh in the country in scoring defense last season, allowing 15.4 points per game.

3. The Utes and Aggies first played against each other on Nov. 25, 1892.

PREDICTION: Utah 27, Utah State 24