"So it is going to be a dogfight from the beginning," Juergens said. "We just really need to be prepared, fundamentally sound, and ready to go."
Last year, the Aggies put in some new wrinkles that caught the Cougars off guard, adjustments they hadn't shown in previous games.
Linebacker Nick Vigil lined up in the offensive backfield and carried the ball 16 times for 57 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Darell Garretson threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns out of a max-protection package, repeatedly burning the Cougars on deep throws to Hunter Sharp, who had five catches for 173 yards.