USC has shown already on defense this year that they can get beat on the ground (allowing 5.5ypc against Stanford) or through the air (Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib 30-46 322 yards 2 TD's), and now they go on the road to Utah who is an angry team finally getting healthy.
I think the oddsmakers helped us in this one after Utah got beat badly at Arizona State 37-7, a game in which we were on Utah. Now everyone is loving USC going on the road but Utah has gotten much healthier in the secondary including getting back their S Brian Blechen off suspension. I think this will be a tight game like last year and playing at Utah is never an easy game for anyone.
USC has had protection issues as they are ranked 99th in sack % allowed while the Utes can get in the backfield and are 20th in sack % led by NT Star Lotulelei who will be trying to impress some NFL scouts. Look for him to play a big factor here tonight. That will make it tough for USC on third downs once again where they have had major issues just converting 31% on the season ranked 99th. Utah coincidentally is 22nd allowing just 32% conversions.
Offensively Utah is coming off a bye in which allowed them to get the offensive scheme in check and I think they'll come out and play a lot better. They get a healthy John White back finally and QB Hays has had some time to scheme up for USC who has been unable to get to the QB ranked 80th in sack % and are even worse on the road with a 2.5 sack %. People forget this is a rebuilt defensive line and the loss of Devon Keonnard via injury early was a devastating blow. I don't think they can win this game by 14 points. Kyle Whittingham is very good as Utah's head coach off byes 6-1 in his career and the Utes are 22-2-1 all time off a bye with their next game being at home. Take the Utes in a big game they need to redeem themselves.
