With Utah in the near horizon, the Trojans are focusing on their physicality to prepare for a tough, hard-nosed match-up.
- Much like Stanford, this is going to be a physical battle that is won at the line of scrimmage, which is exactly the type of game DL Leonard Williams likes to play. "I'm not a finesse type of player," he said. "I love playing hard, physical games."
- The defense's number one concern is Utah's prolific running game featuring junior RB Devontae Booker. "He runs angry. He's not trying to run away from people, and he pulls out of as many tackles as any back we've seen this year," said defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox.
- Sarkisian emphasized that the defensive line is the key to stopping Utah's downhill rush attack. "We need to keep [Booker] corralled as best we can near the line of scrimmage so that he can't get his momentum going in the secondary. Our defensive front has a tall order this week."
- Facing a tough running opponent arouses unpleasant memories from the early season loss to Boston College in which the Trojans sacrificed 452 yards on the ground. Since then, they held Arizona State and Arizona to season-low rushing totals. Sarkisian credits this improvement to the defense's focus on defeating one-on-one blocks, staying true to gap integrity, having a better attitude but most importantly, just executing.
- Su'a Cravens has been all over the place for the Trojans' defense getting a sack one week and an interception the next. The linebacker is confident that what happened in Boston will never happen again, and he's also conscientious of Utah's ability to pass with either quarterback. "They've got a speedster in Dres Anderson. He's a monster. They're going to try and throw it deep against our young corners."
- The Trojans know just how important this Top 25 match-up against Utah is for the rest of their season. Sarkisian specifically highlighted wide receivers Nelson Agholor and JuJu Smith as well as RB Buck Allen in terms of their attitudes and mentality as they prepare for Saturday. On the defensive side of the ball, he singled out the Lott Impact Trophy quarter-finalist Leonard Williams, who the head coach said "worked his tail off" at practice on Wednesday.
- Finally, the head coach said the team couldn't be more excited and ready for Saturday's game. He said, "I think we're hitting our stride at the right time."
- Here is the head coach after Wednesday's practice...
