Stakes are high in Pac-12’s pecking order as Utah travels to USC
Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham talks to USC Coach Lincoln Riley before the Pac-12 Championship Game Friday December 2, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
The highly-anticipated rematch between USC and Utah will kickoff at the Coliseum this Saturday under the lights, and there’s a lot on the line.
After all, both teams are in the AP top-20, and have a slim margin for error. The Utes have won the last three meetings against the Trojans, including one for a Pac-12 Title. Not to mention Utah has generated 42-plus points in each of those games, and outscored USC a combined 132-92. So the pressure isn’t on the Utes, instead it’s on Lincoln Riley’s Trojans, and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
No. 18 USC (6-1) is coming off an embarrassing road loss at Notre Dame. Quarterback Caleb Williams had arguably the worst performance of his career, and needs to bounce back. It just so happens that the Trojans maybe catching the Utes at the right time, considering they’ll still be without gunslinger Cam Rising. Whittingham has played musical chairs with Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson.
Utah’s strength is its’ defense though. The Utes lead the Pac-12, and rank ninth nationally in total defense. Utah is also numero uno in the league in sacks, and is tied for 10th in the FBS in tackles for loss.
USC has one of the best offenses in the country though, and is ninth nationally in yards per game. Williams will be looking to redeem himself too, after throwing three interceptions against the Fighting Irish. The weather was nasty and rainy in South Bend, but the Los Angeles forecast will be in the 80’s for tomorrow night.
Williams played against the Utes with a pulled hamstring in the second half of the Pac-12 Championship. Everyone remembers what he wrote on his fingernails prior to that game, especially Utah fans. Obviously something has to give in this matchup. Utah (5-1) knows how to establish the line of scrimmage, and this game will likely be won in the trenches.
USC’s defense has been a liability all season. Embattled Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch has an opportunity to silence some of his critics if the Trojans can pull out this win. The Trojans can’t keep winning games trying to outscore the opposition, because offensive shootouts can go either way.
The winner of this game will still be alive in the Pac-12 race, but the loser could possibly be on the outside looking in. Whittingham wants to show the rest of the league that the road to the Pac-12 Title still runs through Utah. Regardless, the Utes should be expecting to get the Trojans’ best. USC is still undefeated in conference play and Playoff implications are definitely on the table. So avenging last year’s losses to Utah will go a long way for Riley’s boys in the Pac-12 hierarchy.
In a league filled with so much parity, there are no guaranteed wins. The Pac-12 is hands down the best Power Five conference this fall, but this is the time of the season when it usually starts to decapitate itself. All eyes will be on this battle.
Riley needs to show last week’s loss was a fluke, and Williams wants to make the third time a charm against Whittingham. It’s no mystery that Whittingham has ruled the Pac-12 with an iron fist for the past two seasons. So it’ll be interesting to see if he can maintain his tight grip.
