Utah vs. USC football game preview, prediction

Locking in our game prediction for USC vs. Utah in this Week 8 college football clash

A year ago, it was the Utes that destroyed the Trojans' hopes at postseason glory, first in a regular season meeting and again in the Pac-12 Championship Game. This time, No. 18 ranked USC welcomes No. 14 Utah in college football's Week 8 action on Saturday looking to avoid a second-straight loss and get some revenge in the process.

Utah comes in at 5-1 overall with a 2-1 mark in conference play, still without quarterback Cameron Rising out there as he rehabs a knee injury from the Rose Bowl, and despite struggling on offense, play the nation's 5th best scoring defense.

Heisman Trophy quarterback Caleb Williams was the favorite to repeat this year before a costly loss on the road against Notre Dame that saw the Trojans' protection wear down and the quarterback throw interceptions that led to points. Now, USC hopes to avoid what would be a playoff-disqualifying loss this weekend.

USC vs. Utah preview, prediction

USC vs. Utah game predictions / USA Today Images

How to watch

When: Sat., Oct. 21
Time: 6 p.m. MT, 5 p.m. PT
TV: Fox network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

USC vs. Utah game odds

Courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: USC -7.5
Total: 53.5 points
Moneyline: USC -275 | Utah +200
FPI pick: USC 69.2% to win

What to watch for

1. Battle at the line. USC's pass protection deteriorated at the worst time as it goes against the engine of Utah's superb defensive unit, a line that ranks No. 4 nationally with 4 sacks per game on average and 1st in the Pac-12 with 22 sacks total. Jonah Elliss leads the front seven by ranking No. 2 in college football with 9 sacks. Utah brought down Williams 11 times in 2 meetings a year ago, but notably it has just 1.5 sacks per game on the road this year.

2. Who can run the ball? USC's ability to help Williams by moving the ball on the ground may run into some difficulty as the Utes currently rank 1st nationally by allowing just 66.8 rushing yards per game and only 2.49 ypc. But that average almost doubles when playing on the road, up to 126 yards. Despite the Trojans' general defensive woes, the unit has fared moderately well against the run, and goes against a Utes rotation that posts just under 4 yards per carry.

3. Third down. Utah may own the advantage on the money down, as one of its defensive strengths revolves around stopping opponents from moving the chains, ranking No. 1 nationally allowing just 23.1 percent conversion. Teams have converted on just 18 of 78 chances this season.

USC vs. Utah prediction

Utah's front line defenders have the physicality and discipline to frustrate the Trojans' ability to move the football on the ground and will close down the interior running lanes in addition to the escape routes to the outside.

And judging by how much Williams has had to resort to moving around and outside the pocket to find his targets in recent weeks, the Utes should be able to dislodge the quarterback and force him to improvise.

But the Utes' own offensive attack is so moribund, ranking No. 125 in passing production with under 150 yards per game, and No. 111 in scoring offense that the Trojans should have more opportunities to get in scoring position and come away with something.

College Football HQ picks...

• USC wins 31-21
• Covers the spread
• And hits the under

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