USC vs. Utah Prediction, Game Preview

USC vs. Utah prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins between the Trojans and Utes.

USC vs. Utah Game Preview

When: Friday, Sept. 23 – 9:00 p.m. ET
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
TV Broadcast: FS1

It’s been a bit of an underwhelming start for Clay Helton’s Trojans so far this season. After running into the brick wall that is the Alabama Crimson Tide, USC managed to pick up a 45-7 win over Utah State in Week 2. However, the Trojans were back on the wrong side of the scoreboard Saturday night when Stanford handed them a 27-10 loss.

As for Kyle Whittingham’s Utes, it’s been a different story. Utah picked up its first shutout in four years when it defeated Southern Utah, 24-0, to open the season. Then Whittingham went toe-to-toe with his former defensive coordinator, Kalani Sitake, and took down BYU two weeks ago. The Utes improved to 3-0 last weekend when they beat San Jose State, 34-17.

The Trojans lead the all-time series with Utah, 8-2, and they’ve won four of the last five matchups. It was USC who took last year’s meeting at home, 42-24.

What To Know About USC

The Trojans have one of the best wide receivers in college football with JuJu Smith-Schuster, but they’ve struggled to get him the ball. He had three catches for 34 yards on Saturday, and quarterback Max Browne* finished with 18-of-28 passes completed for 191 yards with zero touchdowns. USC did get a combined 126 rushing yards with a touchdown from Justin Davis and Ronald Jones.

*It was announced on Monday that redshirt freshman Sam Darnold will get the start at quarterback over Browne.

What to Know About Utah

The Utes allowed the Spartans to stay within striking distance in the first quarter but tacked on 14 points in the second quarter to provide some cushion. The quick-footed Troy McCormick rushed for 61 yards on seven carries, but it was his 16-yard touchdown run that got the Utah offense going. Troy Williams was efficient, having completed 20-of-28 passes for 257 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but the Utes’ offensive line also let him get sacked three times.

Advantages

Offense: The Trojans haven’t been able to really put it all together so far, but they do have more talent on the offensive side of the ball. With Smith-Schuster out wide, Jones and Davis in the backfield, and Darnold under center, USC gets the nod based on pure ability.

Defense: Cody Barton is young, but he’s really emerged as a leader for the Utah defense. The Utes can apply pressure in the pocket and force turnovers in a hurry. With Barton roaming in the second level, Utah gets the edge.

Special Teams: Adoree’ Jackson is deadly in the return game, but Andy Phillips is a great kicker. If this one is close in crunch time, Phillips has the leg and trust from the staff to nail a game winner. Utah gets the advantage.

Coaching: Clay Helton has been around for a while and has learned from the likes of Lane Kiffin, but Kyle Whittingham has gotten a lot more experience as a head coach. The Utah coach has also produced other head coaches, so there’s reason to trust the men on his staff. The Utes get this one, too.

Matchup To Watch

Utah front seven vs. USC running backs

The Trojans really depended on their tailbacks last time out, and if that happens again on Friday, it’ll be interesting to watch how the Utah linebackers play. Barton has been solid, and he’ll need to continue getting everyone lined up and ready for whatever USC throws out there. It’ll be important for him and the rest of the front seven to maintain gap control while closing off any backside cutback lanes.

USC vs. Utah Betting Odds

Spread: Utah -3
Over/Under: 46.5