JEFF ALLEN GAME PREVIEW: USC at UTAH
Two teams out of the Pac 12 South hook up Friday night as 1-2 USC travels to 3-0 No.24 Utah
for a late Friday night weekend primer. The schedule makers didn’t do USC any favors in 2016
as the Trojans play arguably the toughest schedule in college football. They’ve already been
hammered by Alabama and Stanford and face a tough physical Ute outfit tonight in Salt Lake
City. Utah has played significantly lesser in going 3-0 with their only real test to this point a 20-19
win over BYU in the latest edition of the “Holy War”. This is the first conference game for both
teams.
The game opened with Utah a -1.5 point favorite and the total 48. A huge influx of Utah and under
money has sent the number to Utes -3 and the high/low down to 46. Weather could be an issue
as here is a 60% chance of showers at game time. It’s also starting to be football weather around
the country as the temperature at kickoff is expected to be about 47 for the 9:00 PM EST kickoff.
We’re not sure if Troy is in panic mode yet but under-the-gun head coach Clay Helton might just
be and has changed quarterbacks for this game. Senior Max Browne goes to the bench and will
be replaced by redshirt freshman Sam Darnold. The offense did little to nothing in the losses to
Bama and Stanford which resulted in the stop unit wearing down late being unable to get off the
field. Overall, the stop unit has played reasonably well.
This Utah bunch appears to be a bit below recent editions but still has the Kyle Whittingham
stamp of power running game backed by a big physical defense. I fact, the defense returns
eight starters, has already pitched a shutout and sacked San Jose State QBs 10 times last
week do the Utes can bring the heat. The offense is vanilla but more balanced than usual. This
is their first real test.
Our first inclination would be to take Utah but … the host is just 1-4 ATS over the last five in the
series and the Trojans are a gaudy 13-2-1 L16 as a road dog off a loss. To get World Champion
handicapper Jeff Allen’s official play on this game, check back at VSAO any time after 9:00 AM
on Friday.