The two best defensive teams statistically in the Pac-12 face each other Saturday.

Fresno State (5-3, 2-2) is the Pac-12’s stingiest defense, allowing a conference-low 21 points per game, which ranks 40th in the nation.

Utah State (3-5, 2-2) tops the conference in fewest yards with an average of 333.9 total yards per game. That ranks 45th in the country.

What happens when two teams that don’t give up many points or yards square off?

A low-scoring affair certainly seems inevitable, and the Las Vegas over/under scoring line of 42.5 points suggests as much.

Related Story: Fresno State Rises in Rainy Challenge, Blows Up Oregon State

Bulldogs Have Struggled on the Road

But if the sports mindset of simply being better than the previous time out is applied, a big question emerges for Fresno State: Can the Bulldogs play better than their previous road game?

Especially on offense.

“We’ll have to be sharp,” said Fresno State offensive coordinator Josh Davis of playing at Utah State. “On the road. A place I’ve never been. I don’t think a lot of our young men have ever been. … Teams play well at home, universally. So that’s a challenge in itself.

“Got to be better on the road.”

The road has been unkind to the Bulldogs, including their last away game that resulted in a 26-23 loss at San Diego State three weeks ago.

What the Numbers Reveal

Fresno State is 2-2 on the road for the season, but its play overall has dropped significantly compared to the Bulldogs’ home games.

Away from Valley Children’s Stadium, Fresno State is averaging 18.5 points and 277.8 total yards per game.

Bulldogs quarterback Jayden Mandal in road games has a completion percentage of 57.8% with only 162.3 passing yards per game and one touchdown. He’s also been sacked 13 times.

By comparison in home games, Fresno State is averaging 39 points and 434.8 total yards per game.

Mandal’s play also has been significantly better at home, where he’s completed 68.2 % of his passes for an average 236.5 yards per game and nine touchdowns. He’s been sacked just twice at home.

Can the Bulldogs Find the End Zone Early in Logan?

In addition, Fresno State is searching for its first opening-quarter touchdown on the road. The Bulldogs have a mere three points to show for their road first quarters.

“Anytime you go on the road, you’ve got to kind of circle wagons a little bit,” said coach Matt Entz, whose Bulldogs are coming off a 38-22 win at home against Oregon State. “It’s you against everybody. Got to make sure we have the right people on the bus and make sure that we’re excited about another opportunity. … ”

And, as good as Utah State has been defensively this season, the Aggies have been even better at home.

Utah State’s defense has allowed just 17.5 points per game and an average of 289 total yards at Maverik Stadium.

Junior inside linebacker Asher Cunningham leads the Aggies with 65 tackles and three forced fumbles.

“We’re going to have our work cut out for us,” Entz said. “They’ve done a really good job keeping points off the board, being physical. They’re a really sound, good tackling, very physical football team.”