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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utes have been busy these last couple of weeks. They have been busy shaking off all the dirt that people have been throwing on them. After the performance at ASU, it's hard to blame some people.
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
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However, the conference season is just beginning and there is a long way to go, and the bye couldn't have come at a more perfect time.
Utah needs to fix a lot of things to beat USC. Here are three keys that Utah will need to control to beat the mighty Trojans.
1. Start fast
Utah has been outscored this season 34-7 in the first quarter. Let that sink in for a second. Utah was down 14-0 to Utah State before they decided to get off the bus! Two weeks later it was 21-0 to ASU before people could find their seats! Utah needs to get USC on their toes early. Hit them with stuff that they haven't seen yet. The pressure is off Utah now, they are supposed to lose this game according to every media member out there. If they can punch the Trojans in the mouth early and set the tone, they will position themselves well in this game. 2. Win third downs
Utah is only converting 31% of their third downs right now. That simply just won't do, especially against the Trojans. Utah has to keep the chains moving for a couple reasons. One, that will keep Matt Barkley and company off the field. Two, it will take pressure off the Utah defense. There may come times on Thursday night when they need to be bailed out, just like how the defense has done for the offense time and again. Also, Utah's defense has to get off the field on third down. They've done well so far this season, giving up a 31% conversion rate, they need to maintain that. 3. Secondary has to show up
Barkley, Woods, and Lee: you'll be hard pressed to find a more potent pass-and-catch trio in the country. The secondary struggled against ASU, their first major test against a team that can throw the ball. Expect them to be tested more. I expect USC to do a lot of quick hitting passes, three step drops, and roll outs to negate the Utah defensive line. Ryan Lacy, Moe Lee, and Reggie Topps are going to have to be on their game. If one of them gets caught on a play action or misses a tackle on a eight-yard slant pattern, that play can turn into a touchdown. Thursday night is what Ute fans have been dreaming about for decades.
They get a major football power, in USC, in their own stadium as a conference mate. Plus Utah is in a familiar position, even when they were in their previous conference, against these bigger name school. They are being counted out, probably only about 100 people believe Utah will win this game, and they are in the Utah locker room.
As long as those guys believe, that is all that matters.
Shane Roberts is a producer/writer for the U Fan Cast on TheUFanCast.com, a Utah-centric podcast that gives a voice to the fan. Twitter: @Shane_U_FanCast
