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USC coach Lane Kiffin expects some surprises Thursday night when his Trojans visit Salt Lake City to take on the Utes. While most experts are expecting a blowout in USC's favor, Kiffin believes Utah will come ready to play.
“We’re excited for what I think will be a very entertaining game,” he said. “The place will be rocking when we go in there. It will be a good test for us.”
Game Notes- Utah (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12) vs. No. 13/12 USC (3-1, 1-1 Pac-12)
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 4
- Time: 7:00 p.m. MDT
- Site: Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017)
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: ESPN700, SIRIUS/XM 85, Sports USA
- Series Record: USC leads 7-3
- Last Meeting: 2011 (USC 23-14)
- Kickoff Weather: Partly cloudy, temps in the low 60s
Utah is coming off a disappointing performance at Arizona State followed by a bye week. One unexpected major struggle for the Utes so far in 2012 has been the lack of a run game, something the Utes typically excel at. Kiffin believes that has been an anomaly.
“I think they’re replacing a lot of linemen,” he said. “[Running back John] White wasn’t healthy. We anticipate them being full strength after having some extra time just like we have. I’m sure [White will] be healthy and they’ll be at home, instead of on the road too.”
Kiffin also won’t be surprised to see the Utes come out with some defensive trickery, something the Utes are known for doing sometimes in big games.
“It’s a guessing game going into it,” he said. “[Utah] in our game in the first quarter last year played completely different coverage than they did the rest of the year. … We don’t know, are they going to do that again or are they going to play what they do against everybody else? So you’ve just got to be ready. … The easy part is if they play normal defense.”
Kiffin doesn’t place much stock in Utah’s transition from the Mountain West to the Pac-12. He believes the adjustment is essentially overrated.
“I think they’ve done well. I think that’s talked about too much,” he said. “They had a non-conference game I’m sure they thought they should have won no matter what conference they were in. … If there is anything to it, it would be conversation for late in the year when you’ve had more competitive and physical games.”
The primetime, nationally televised game on Thursday night is sure to be physical with both teams placing a premium on performing well in the trenches, but whether or not it is competitive is something everyone — including Kiffin — will have to wait to find out.
Trevor Amicone is the founder of byutahinsiders.com, which covers BYU, Utah and national college football with weekly polls, bowl projections, opinions and analysis. Follow its brand new Twitter page at @BYUtahInsiders and Trevor's at @TrevorAmicone.
