University Southern California Trojans
2017 Game 7: USC vs. Utah
October 13, 2017 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The home team is 5-1 in the USC-Utah series since the Utes joined the Pac-12 in 2011.
No. 13 USC Trojans (5-1, 3-1) vs. Utah Utes (4-1, 1-1)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 5 p.m. PT on ABC
Ute to Watch: Senior WR Darren Carrington II
If Carrington's name sounds familiar, you may remember him from his Oregon days. For the Ducks, he was a talented, but troubled receiver, who was eventually dismissed for his off-field transgressions. He has salvaged his college career in Salt Lake City, leading the Pac-12 in receiving. Carrington has 37 catches for 584 yards and 5 TDs through five games. While Utah is traditionally a power run offense under head coach Kyle Whittingham, the Utes are much more balanced this season with Carrington providing an explosive element on the outside.
Click here for more on the Utes.
3 Keys
Hold On Tight
The last two USC-Utah games have been decided by the turnover battle. In 2015, the No. 3 Utes gave the ball away four times, including three Cameron Smith interceptions, while the Trojans played a clean game and dominated, 42-24. Last year, in Sam Darnold's first career start, USC returned the favor by gifting three fumbles, giving Utah the impetus to squeeze out a victory, 31-27. This season, the Trojans have been great at taking the ball away (tops in the Pac-12), but poor at holding on to it (10th in the Pac-12). In the Utes only loss (last week to Stanford), they were -2 in turnover margin, but they are a strong +4 on the season. Coaches will tell you that turnovers dictate every game, but they carry extra weight on Saturday.
Love Jones
With a favorable matchup and no Stephen Carr last week, the USC coaches took it easy on Ronald Jones II, holding their bell cow back to only 14 touches against Oregon State. In the first three games of the season, the "Texas Tesla" averaged 20.7 touches per contest. With Carr still out, Jones will need to be in the 20+ range for the USC offense to run at peak efficiency. The pass-catching corps is getting healthier with the return of WR Steven Mitchell last week and likely TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe this week, but Jones is the Trojans' answer to Utah's physicality up front.
Push First
Speaking of that Utah front, Whittingham teams are always stacked on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Remember, DT Stevie Tu'ikolovatu had trouble cracking the Utes lineup and then came over to USC and starred last season. On the offensive side, Utah OT Garett Bolles was taken in the first round (20th overall). The Trojans' offensive line was boosted by the return of LT Toa Lobendahn last week and could get another lift from the quick recovery of RT Chuma Edoga, who has graded out as USC's best blocker this season, per PFF College. Defensively, the line has hounded quarterbacks all season with DE Christian Rector, DT Josh Fatu and DE Rasheem Green all top 10 in the conference in sacks. The skill players will get the game honors, but this battle will be one by the big boys.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 5 p.m. PT on ABC
Ute to Watch: Senior WR Darren Carrington IIIf Carrington's name sounds familiar, you may remember him from his Oregon days. For the Ducks, he was a talented, but troubled receiver, who was eventually dismissed for his off-field transgressions. He has salvaged his college career in Salt Lake City, leading the Pac-12 in receiving. Carrington has 37 catches for 584 yards and 5 TDs through five games. While Utah is traditionally a power run offense under head coach Kyle Whittingham, the Utes are much more balanced this season with Carrington providing an explosive element on the outside.
Click here for more on the Utes.
3 Keys
Hold On Tight
The last two USC-Utah games have been decided by the turnover battle. In 2015, the No. 3 Utes gave the ball away four times, including three Cameron Smith interceptions, while the Trojans played a clean game and dominated, 42-24. Last year, in Sam Darnold's first career start, USC returned the favor by gifting three fumbles, giving Utah the impetus to squeeze out a victory, 31-27. This season, the Trojans have been great at taking the ball away (tops in the Pac-12), but poor at holding on to it (10th in the Pac-12). In the Utes only loss (last week to Stanford), they were -2 in turnover margin, but they are a strong +4 on the season. Coaches will tell you that turnovers dictate every game, but they carry extra weight on Saturday.
Love Jones
With a favorable matchup and no Stephen Carr last week, the USC coaches took it easy on Ronald Jones II, holding their bell cow back to only 14 touches against Oregon State. In the first three games of the season, the "Texas Tesla" averaged 20.7 touches per contest. With Carr still out, Jones will need to be in the 20+ range for the USC offense to run at peak efficiency. The pass-catching corps is getting healthier with the return of WR Steven Mitchell last week and likely TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe this week, but Jones is the Trojans' answer to Utah's physicality up front.
Push First
Speaking of that Utah front, Whittingham teams are always stacked on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Remember, DT Stevie Tu'ikolovatu had trouble cracking the Utes lineup and then came over to USC and starred last season. On the offensive side, Utah OT Garett Bolles was taken in the first round (20th overall). The Trojans' offensive line was boosted by the return of LT Toa Lobendahn last week and could get another lift from the quick recovery of RT Chuma Edoga, who has graded out as USC's best blocker this season, per PFF College. Defensively, the line has hounded quarterbacks all season with DE Christian Rector, DT Josh Fatu and DE Rasheem Green all top 10 in the conference in sacks. The skill players will get the game honors, but this battle will be one by the big boys.
Players Mentioned
TB
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QB
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OT
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DT
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DT
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TE
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TB
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C-OG
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DL
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ILB
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DT
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