USC (4-2) @ Utah (4-2)
Stat Leaders:
USC
JT Daniels (QB): 117/201, 1,529 passing yards, 7 TDs, 5 INTs
Aca’Cedric Ware (RB): 60 carries, 358 rushing yards, 3 TDs
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR): 29 catches, 427 receiving yards, 2 TDs
Previous Result: 31-20 Win Over #19 Colorado
Utah
Tyler Huntley (QB): 108/169, 1,221 passing yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs
Zack Moss (RB): 110 carries, 617 rushing yards, 7 TDs
Britain Covey (WR): 39 catches, 405 receiving yards
Previous Result: 42-10 Win Over Arizona
3 Things To Watch For:
1. Can JT Daniels show improvement on the road after what happened earlier this season in Austin?
2. Will Utah’s offense continue to be balanced against an athletic and tough USC defense?
3. Will Utah be able to finally take firm control of the South for the first time since they joined the conference?
3 Bold Predictions:
1. Aca’Cedric Ware rushes for more yards than Zack Moss.
2. Utah holds JT Daniels to less than 200 yards passing.
3. USC leads by 10+ points at halftime.
Game Run Down:
The Pac-12 South has taken a turn this season, with Arizona falling to bottom feeder level and Colorado rising up the standings. Now, USC and Utah have emerged as the two front runners in the division, making this a pivotal matchup for the fate of both team’s seasons. Utah’s offense has recovered from a sloppy start to the season, but they’ll face a talented USC defense that has also turned things around in recent weeks. This should be a tight, low-scoring game as both offenses feel each other out in a raucous atmosphere in Salt Lake City. JT Daniels can’t afford to make the early mistakes he made last week on the road, and although his arm talent and this WR core may keep them in the game, Utah’s ball control offense and opportunistic defense will give them a tight win.
Score Prediction: Utah 31 | USC 28
Game MVP: Tyler Huntley | QB | Utah
