Philadelphia, PA –  ranked Oklahoma to within a 24) on the road in front of more than 85,000.

The effort may have given Aggies fans some false hope however, because the team didn't have too many high points after that. A week later the Aggies took care of Idaho State in their most lopsided win of the campaign, a 38-17 final in the home opener, but from there the squad dropped five of the next six outings. A 31-16victory over BYU in any other season may have been something to cheer about, but it was clear that the Cougars were just a shell of their former selves in 2010. The Aggies topped both San Jose State and New Mexico State, a pair of Western Athletic Conference foes that combined to win a total of just three games the entire season, so again those victories held very little weight. Perhaps more telling for the Aggies were the last two games of the season as they bowed to Idaho at home, 28-6, and then were trounced by nationally-ranked Boise State (50-14).

For the second straight season the Utah State Aggies finished with a record of 4-8 and perhaps because of that fact, head coach Gary Andersen announced that he would also assume the responsibilities of defensive coordinator moving forward as well. The scoring defense for USU ranked 101st in the nation in 2010 with 33.8 ppg allowed, the squad generating just 3.8 tackles for loss per game (117th nationally) and 1.1 sacks (109th).

2011 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: The cupboard is essentially bare when it comes to quarterback for the Aggies, as the team turns to either junior college transfer Adam Kennedy or redshirt freshman Alex Hart. Kennedy arrives at USU after two seasons at San Joaquin Delta College in California where he was named the team's Most Valuable Player as a sophomore last season, completing 153-of-236 passes for 1,767 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. A threat to run with the ball as well, Kennedy also gained close to 400 yards on the ground last season.

However, if everything goes to plan, Kennedy won't have to put himself in harm's way out in the middle of the field, instead that will be reserved for returning running back Robert Turbin who carried the ball 207 times for 1,296 yards and 13 touchdowns for the group in 2010. Kerwynn Williams can also play a useful role coming out of the backfield as well, after he posted 451 yards and four TDs on 81 rushing attempts, but all indications are the junior will be used more as a wide receiver and kick returner, especially after he set a WAC single-season record with 1,444 kick return yards. Senior Matt Austin and Eric Moats will get their hands on the ball further down the field as they try to make up for the loss of Dontel Watkins who was first on the team a year ago with 42 catches for 492 yards and four scores.

While the quarterback position is certainly a concern heading in, the offense can be somewhat comfortable in knowing that there are four returning starters along the offensive line and that should make the transition a little easier for whomever is assuming the most important position on the field.

DEFENSE: In 2009 the defense for the Aggies was simply awful, placing 107th in the country in points allowed (34.0 ppg) and 113th in total defense with 455.1 ypg permitted. Last year the team had nine starters return on that side of the ball and the unit saw quite a difference in the yards allowed (428.8 ypg) but there's still room for improvement.

Unfortunately, that might not happen in 2011 because there will be several new faces trying to make an impact and it could take some time for them to develop and gel together. However, before thinking all is lost, just know that the team is building around linebacker Bobby Wagner as it moves to a 3-4 in order to fill the middle of the field with even more linebackers. Wagner, a preseason Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List member, a two-time All-WAC First Team selection and the preseason WAC Defensive Player of the Year for 2011, was seventh in the country last year with more than 11 tackles per game.

"I am extremely honored and humbled to be recognized by the media as the WAC's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year," Wagner said. "There are a lot of talented players in this league and to recognized as the top defensive player is a tremendous honor. I am very grateful. I am also even more motivated to continue the hard work that got me here and have a solid season to show that I deserve this honor."

Senior linebacker Kyle Gallagher will also occupy a key spot as he tries to follow up last year's performance when he finished sixth in the league in tackles with 91. Reprising their roles as defensive ends, Quinn Garner and Levi Koskan will be essential in slowing down the competition at the line of scrimmage now that the unit will be operating with fewer men in the trenches.

Unfortunately, senior safety Walter McClenton is the lone returner in the secondary in 2011, so there will be some changes in pass coverage as well. Junior Quinton Byrd led USU and was sixth in the WAC a year ago with three interceptions and he expects to build on that number this time around. Sophomore cornerbacks Nevin Lawson and Cameron Sanders both have potential, now they just need to grow along with the rest of the group.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Williams is a dynamic and exciting player who brings a lot to the table in terms of setting up the offense with his kick returns. Because of his efforts last season, Williams has been named to the 2011 Paul Hornung Award Watch List which recognizes the most versatile player in major college football.

"It is a tremendous honor to be named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List and be considered as one of the most versatile players in the country," Williams said. "I'm going to take this honor to heart and it is more motivation to work hard this season to try and be a finalist for the award."

Like Williams who will also be setting up as a wideout on offense, Moats will also be pulling double duty as a punt returner for the Aggies and hopefully he too can kick the offense into gear when they need a jolt.

The kicking duties themselves will be handled by a couple of fresh faces following the graduation of Peter Caldwell, with junior-college All-American selection Tyler Bennett, who ranked second in the National Junior College Athletic Association with a 43.7 average, takes over the punting responsibilities. Sophomore kicker Nick Diaz, responsible for kickoffs last year, will now also handle placekicking as well.

OUTLOOK: As if taking on the rest of the WAC were not tough enough, the Aggies are being thrown to the wolves right out of the gate this season with their opener coming against defending national champion Auburn on the road.

It gets a little easier after that with back-to-back home dates versus Weber State and Colorado State, although tests against BYU and Wyoming will be no easy task. USU has to travel to both Fresno State and Hawaii, but definitely has winnable home games against the likes of Louisiana Tech and San Jose State if everything goes according to form.

As long as the defense can show up and make a 3-4 alignment work for them, this should be an interesting season for the Aggies and coach Andersen.