Idaho State at Utah State

Utah State brings back much of the production that powered its 2025 offense: 65% of its total PPA, including 87% of its passing PPA, 74% of its rushing PPA and 49% of its receiving PPA. Bryson Barnes remains on the 2026 roster after recording 2,802 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 740 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores in 2025. Javen Jacobs also returns after producing 429 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 43 catches, 379 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. John Miller is back after a 2025 season with 118 tackles, eight sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

The most important unanswered item is Utah State’s opening-day quarterback order. The current roster includes Barnes, Jacob Conover, Anthony Garcia, CJ Tiller and Kaden Cox, but the Aggies had not publicly named a starter or established a snap sequence. That competition will shape how aggressively Utah State can use Barnes’s experience and its returning skill production. Idaho State’s clearest opportunity is to force the decision into difficult third downs and keep the Aggies from settling quickly around one quarterback.