UTAH 3 USC (46.5)
Implied Projected Score: Utah 24.75 USC 21.75
MEGALOCKS LINE – Utah 4.5
The Game
Utah starts up PAC 12 play with a big Friday night date against the Trojans. Utah enters the game 3-0 with a couple of victories against relatively weak competition and a “hang-on-for-dear-life” win in the Holy War vs BYU (20-19). USC is struggling at 1-2 but it is no disgrace to lose to Alabama and Stanford. Utah presents another stiff test.
The Match-Up
Utah offense vs USC defense
The offense has done enough so far but they are going to need to be a lot sharper as they enter PAC 12 play. QB Troy Williams has been ok but has thrown 4 TD vs 4 INT. The running game seems to be coming along nicely as they have a 3-headed monster (McCormick/Moss/Shyne) that allows the RBs to stay fresh, while at the same time, bringing different skills sets to the table. WR Tim Patrick has been fantastic so far leading the team with 14 receptions at over 20 yards per pop, but at the same time, a #2 man has not emerged as of yet. USC could theoretically have a nice match-up by putting CB Adoree Jackson on Patrick and making someone else beat them. Do not know how that will play out and the coaches certainly know better than we do.
The USC front 7 is inexperienced and has been gashed in the run game so far (almost 200 yards per game) and it will not get any easier this week at Utah. They have to come up with a way to get Utah in 3rd and medium or 3rd and long or it will be another long day for the defense. Like we noted earlier, it is hard to be too critical yet because they have played Alabama and Stanford, but another negative to think about is how beat up they must be already. <ponders> Overall, we can see the Trojans having some success on defense but will need to force some turnovers to win this game.
USC offense vs Utah defense
The Trojans have made the QB change we have been waiting for. Sam Darnold takes over for Max Browne and the hope is that he adds a spark to the offense. Darnold has more mobility and probably a bit more upside than Browne. USC only has one RB with over 150 yards rushing and one WR with over 150 yards receiving. They need to open up the offense a bit and try and make some big plays. So far they have not been able to consistently drive the field against good defenses. Utah is another very good one.
Utah recorded 10 (TEN) (!!) sacks last week vs San Jose St and the front 7 is going to create havoc in this game. Can Darnold use his mobility to make them pay ? Nobody will know until Friday night. The Utes have a very good secondary but the Trojans ALSO have some fine athletes at WR. They just need to produce. The Utes defense is going to be too disruptive for the Trojans to consistently move the ball but we can see them making a couple of big plays.
MEGA Minutia
The home team is 5-0 L5 ATS in the series….Last time here Utah won and covered 24-21 as a small favorite….USC has a ridiculous weapon in PR Adoree Jackson BUT the Utes are #1 in the FBS in net punting….Something has to give, yo…..the MEGALOCKS WEATHER DESK notes that there is going to be some rain to deal with on Friday night….Probably means nothing but just throwing it out there for you to consider.
Summary
MEGALOCKS SUNDAY EARLY TASTER CLUB members got their fill of some Utah -2.5 and some folks even managed to scoop -1.5 including some VEGAS HEAVY HITTERS. We may make this an “officially” “official” play for the “official” record later in the week. We just need a bit more time to think about the new USC QB and to keep up with injury and practice reports. Stay tuned. It’s only Tuesday.
Conclusion
Official play: None (Yet)
Lean: None (Yet)