Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Though it won't carry quite the significance it was hyped to have during the preseason, Thursday night's showdown between the Utes and USC Trojans is still a crucial matchup for both programs.
Each team has already suffered a conference loss and will look to avoid a second. USC hopes to get its offense going while Utah seeks to bounce back from a lackluster showing in Tempe, Ariz. and get its season back on track.
These storylines highlight this week's Utah national roundup:
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
— Despite a bye week, the Utes fall from No. 8 to No. 9 in CBS Sports' Pac-12 power rankings. They also sit at No. 9 in ESPN's version.
— Would you take USC or the field to win the Pac-12 South division? The ESPN Pac-12 bloggers still take the Trojans, despite their loss the Stanford.
— Yahoo Sports looks at this week's Pac-12 games, including Utah hosting USC. The Pac-12 Network also takes a glimpse at the matchups.
— CBS Sports previews the Utes and Trojans as well.
— Pedro Moura of ESPN Los Angeles points out how Utah NT Star Lutulelei poses problems for the USC offensive line.
— USC head coach Lane Kiffin talks to Fox Sports about his upcoming matchup with Utah.
— The Examiner describes the Utes' need to prepare for the two-headed offense of SC.
— The LA Times tells of USC safety T.J. McDonald, son of former USC great (as well as six-time Pro-Bowler and Super Bowl champion) Tim McDonald. T.J. will be looking to add to his seven career interceptions Thursday night in Salt Lake City.
— WeAreSC presents a video preview of Thursday night's big game.
— Southern California's Daily Breeze highlights the role of Utah RB John White IV, claiming he is not your typical "scat back."
— Lynn DeBruin of the Associated Press suggests that Thursday night is the Utes' chance to reclaim some of that national spotlight they received almost four years ago after defeating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
