SALT LAKE CITY — Just when the Utes pick up the hopes of its fan base with a ground-breaking conference win, a road loss reminds Utah fans that the Pac-12 Conference is deeper and more potent than ever before.

Utah learned this lesson the hard way this past weekend, as the Utes followed up their win over Stanford with a 35-24 loss at Arizona.

The Utes took a lead in the third quarter, but the Wildcats scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter that sealed the game and led the Utes to their third loss of the season — all in conference play.

To make matters worse for Utah, Utes quarterback Travis Wilson has a hand injury which has put his status for Saturday’s game at Southern California in jeopardy. Adam Schulz handled a majority of the throws for the Utes, completing 12 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown.

And while the Utes held Arizona’s BJ Denker to only 168 yards passing, their offense was unable to match the Wildcats, especially late in the contest.

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A few weeks ago, it looked like a victory in Los Angeles at USC would be a certain thing, as the Trojans were swirling in dismay in the immediate aftermath of coach Lane Kiffin's dismissal. Now, interim coach Ed Orgeron has the Trojans playing with a looseness and confidence that was evident even in its 14-10 loss at Notre Dame.

So, as the Utes play this week in search of a premier Pac-12 road win, the key matchup will come down to the battle between the Utes' offense and the Trojans’ defense.

Why this matchup?

Anytime a team’s starting quarterback is in jeopardy of missing playing time, pressure quickly builds on the offense and its ability to perform. Even if Wilson plays, there is still the chance his injury will be factored into the game plan.

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USC, Utah need win to be relevant

The Utes and Trojans desperately need a win Saturday. Both programs have had flashes of brilliance, while also failing to live up to expectations. But only one can be victorious.

The challenge will be tough this week against a Trojan defense which held a Chuckie Keeton-led Utah State offense to only 14 points, and held Notre Dame to 295 offensive yards. Additionally, the Fighting Irish converted only four of 14 third-down tries and was limited to 166 yards passing. Had USC’s offense performed better, the Trojans might have won, possibly in a rout. The Trojans have the 30th best scoring defense in the country, giving up only 21.6 points per game.

USC has above-average defensive backs and closes to the ball very quickly. The Trojans defense has traditionally been geared to stop pro-style rushing attacks, so a game-plan similar to the one Utah used against Stanford will pay benefits for the Utes. The Utes will have to continually change the pace against the Trojans to have success.

Who wins this matchup?

The Utes are 0-2 against Southern California, but both games have been battles. However, the current USC team isn’t playing like the tense, rigid USC teams of the Lane Kiffin era. Orgeron’s Trojans play more like Pete Carroll’s Trojans, with an energy and fire that is tough to contain for four quarters.

USC’s offense isn’t great, and the quarterback matchup will surely go to Utah if Travis Wilson plays — even at 80 percent. However, playing in one of football’s hallowed venues, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Trojans have a home-field advantage which will be tough to combat.

Again, expect this to be another highly contested matchup between Utah and USC. But, it would appear at this moment the Trojans have the horses to slide by the Utes for Orgeron’s second win.

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