GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Utah has the top-rated defense in the Pac-12 allowing 300.0 yards per game while USC’s offense has struggled, ranking 10th in the league totaling 381.3 yards per game. USC freshman quarterback J.T. Daniels has only seven touchdown passes through six games (same total as Utah’s Tyler Huntley), so big plays might be at a minimum. This will be a ball-control, field-position type of game and that is Utah’s strength because of its defense and special teams with Ray Guy Award winning punter Mitch Wishnowsky.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Chase Hansen, a converted strong safety, leads the Utes with 52 tackles, 36 of them solo stops. He has 11 tackles for loss, which ranks tied for 10th nationally. He had tackles, including a sack, in Utah’s win over Arizona last week.
ROSTER REPORT
–DE Mika Tafua suffered an undisclosed injury against Arizona last week and his status for Saturday’s game against USC is unknown.
–C Lo Falemaka is nursing an apparent leg injury suffered at Washington State three weeks ago. He did not play in the last two games against Stanford and Arizona but is likely to return this week against USC, coach Kyle Whittingham said.
–RB Devonta’e Henry-Cole, a sophomore, was lost for the season with a recurring arm injury suffered again during fall camp. He will have two years of eligibility remaining when he returns next season.
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