Utah State finished last in the Mountain Division with a 3-9 overall record and a 1-7 conference mark last season. The Aggies finished first and tied for second twice in the division in the three previous seasons.
This is the first time since Utah State joined the MW in 2013 that it was picked last in the preseason. The lowest the Aggies were picked in the preseason was third in 2013 and 2016. Utah State's last-place finish last season was its first since it joined the MW, and it was its worst overall and conference records in the league.