Dropping temperatures in Fresno could give Utah State an edge

If the Aggies pick a pregame warm-up song, they might want to go with "Let It Snow."

Even in sunny California, Utah State might be playing in Logan-like conditions Saturday for the Mountain West championship at Fresno State. Local forecasters have predicted that snow is possible over the weekend with lows dropping to an icy 30 degrees.

OK, so Logan is way, way colder (See: single-degree temperatures today).

But still this could be good news for Utah State, which is hard-boiled when it comes to adverse weather. After Windgate against Colorado State and practicing in cold temperatures, the Aggies should be more at home than Fresno in the cold, even if it doesn't snow all that much.

If there is precipitation on Saturday night, those conditions could benefit the Aggies offense, which leans on the run game for 44 percent of its total yardage. Fresno State's No. 2-ranked offense gets only 29.3 percent of its yards from rushing, which could be difficult if the weather makes passing the ball harder. Also a reason that it would be hard to run? The Aggies' run defense, which is ranked No. 11 in the country.

Of course, that's a lot to assume to go in Utah State's favor. If Derek Carr comes out firing, the Aggies will have to have more in the arsenal than the hope that the weather gods give them the upper hand.

— Kyle Goonkgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon