Odds The USC vs. Utah Game Cancels

Naturally, as we head into week three of Pac-12 football there is some apprehension and questions that surround the upcoming game. Will Utah have enough players cleared from COVID-19 to compete against USC? Will USC remain healthy after two competitions with two Arizona teams? Here is everything we know.

The Pac-12 got off to a rocky start with games being canceled left and right in week one. Utah was one of the programs who struggled to contain their COVID-19 numbers out of the gate. 

Week 1: Utah was scheduled to play Arizona but had to withdraw due to several Utes testing positive for COVID-19 and not having a minimum number of scholarship student-athletes available.

Statement from Utah Athletics regarding Saturday’s football game. pic.twitter.com/XriHPNGdbz

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 6, 2020

Despite a canceled season opener against the Wildcat's, Utah remained optimistic going into week two for their game against the UCLA Bruins. 

Week 2: Utah cancels their game against the UCLA Bruins due to COVID-19 cases. 

BREAKING... @Utah_Football had another player test positive today, which means Saturday's contest against @UCLAFootball has been canceled, per @wilnerhotline #GoUtes #UteNation #AllUtes #Pac12FB

— Ryan Kostecka (@Ryan_Kostecka) November 13, 2020

Naturally, as we head into week three of Pac-12 football there is some apprehension and questions that surround the upcoming game. Will Utah have enough players cleared from COVID-19 to compete against USC? Will USC remain healthy after two competitions with two Arizona teams? Here is everything we know. 

As of now USC remains to be in the clear with COVID-19 cases on both player and staff personnel fronts. Clay Helton told the media on Thursday, "things are trending in the right direction" when talking about the Utah matchup. Despite COVID-19 cases rapidly increasing in the state of California and city of Los Angeles, (yesterday COVID cases hit 5,031) the Trojan's have seemed to remain healthy thus far. 

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Utah seems to be the wildcard in all of this. Similar to Los Angeles, cases are escalating in Salt Lake City. KSL reported 3,968 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday. Despite's Utah's struggles to contain the virus spread within their football program, things are looking up just in time for Saturday's game. According to Sports Ilustrated's AllUtes publisher Ryan Kostecka,

"It appears that we are also systems go right now. It appears Utah will also have about 90% of their team back including most of their potential starters."

Whittingham said they are above the threshold for minimum players, in much better spot right now than last two weeks because they’re getting players back who’ve missed due to quarantine

— Ryan Kostecka (@Ryan_Kostecka) November 17, 2020

As of now the Trojans' are still scheduled to fly out of Los Angeles today for Saturday's 7:30 PM/PST kickoff and Utah's season opener against the USC Trojans. 

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