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When USC lines up two tight ends, pitting their offensive bulk against Utah's defense, it will be a tough time to be down a star linebacker.
The Utes don't get into injury specifics, but it's a good bet that senior Jared Norris may not be ready to play after suffering a late injury against Arizona State. Fellow senior Jason Whittingham said Norris: "I'm going to have to fill some pretty big shoes this week."
It's unknown how long Norris will be sidelined, except that Kyle Whittingham suggested it isn't season-ending. While he's out, Jason Whittingham stands to gain reps in Utah's nickel-heavy scheme alongside Gionni Paul.
But USC's sets also might require more 4-3 formations than the average week, meaning the Utes will need three linebackers instead of two. That opens the door for Sunia Tauteoli, Uaea Masina and Cody Barton to potentially see time. Tauteoli is listed as Norris' back-up for the game, but Kyle Whittingham said all three are "in the mix."
All of Utah's linebackers won't have much room for error against a big-play busting USC offense. Last weeks' big Trojan plays included a 60-yard run from Ronald Jones, a 75-yard touchdown catch from Juju Smith-Schuster, and an 83-yard scoring reception from Adoree Jackson.
USC has playmakers who can really burn.
"They look really fast," Jason Whittingham said. "They're really good athletes. We're just going to try to stay in front of them, keep them contained."
The key, the Utes believe, is keeping the heat on quarterback Cody Kessler. Even though USC's senior passer notched 264 yards and 2 touchdowns last year at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Utes were able to sack him twice.
Norris played high school football with Kessler, and knows him as well as anyone on Utah's defense. In that respect, the Utes lose Norris' valuable instinct. But Whittingham hopes that film study will help cover their preparation.
"We can't give him a lot of time, sit back and make his reads," he said. "He's a smart quarterback. He's been around a long time, and if you give him the chance, he can find his man."
Hiva Lutui steps up to start
In Utah's binary spectrum of "all in" or "in the way," Kyle Whittingham knows which side offensive lineman Hiva Lutui falls on.
"He cares about what he's doing," he said. "He's all in. We use that slogan. He's definitely all in."
The junior from Texas has ascended to starter at right guard, where Whittingham said he's graded out "exceptionally well." Lutui started out the season as a back-up center and guard, then graduated into a 50-50 split with sophomore Salesi Uhatafe, and this week is ahead of him.
While the 6-foot-1, 295-pound interior lineman doesn't have the prototypical size some look for, but he has the smarts. The coaching staff felt he gave the line more consistency when he entered the game.
That might create an awkward situation in the position room, except for one detail: Lutui is roommates and childhood friends with Uhatafe. They played together at Euless Trinity in the Lone Star State.
"It's all good, we both work hard," Lutui said. "It wasn't my decision, it was coach's decision. We've known each other since we were kids. Football is football, but outside of football, he's a brother to me. So that's all good."
Lutui echoed a sentiment Saiosi Aiono has expressed this season: playing center has helped him learn his job. Lutui said he's become more mindful of all the offensive line positions — who they're supposed to block, where they're supposed to go — when he's snapping the ball in Aiono's place.
The Utes are looking for a stronger running game than last week, when it took three quarters for Devontae Booker to break free. Last year, he was one of the guys blocking hefty nose tackle Antwaun Woods. If the 320-pound lineman is his mark again, he's ready.
"He's a good player, and I faced him last year," Lutui said. "I feel like technique, low pad level, all that stuff is going to help us win this game. It's on us to do that stuff right."
Adoree Jackson will be offense-focused
Arguably the most electric two-way player in football might be only one-way on Saturday afternoon.
The Trojans told the local media this week that sophomore cornerback Adoree Jackson is henceforth a "sophomore wide receiver." Clay Helton told the LA Daily News Thursday that Jackson will play defense "when needed," the first time he'll be primarily an offensive player.
So far, Jackson has caught 11 passes for two scores and 279 yards. He's also the team's top punt returner and kick returner — Utah is painfully aware, after Jackson returned a kick for a 100-yard touchdown last year. In the offseason, Jackson is an All-American long-jumper and relay sprinter.
USC badly needs his skill set at receiver: The LA Times reported that Steven Mitchell Jr. and Darreus Rogers are both doubtful at the position for Saturday's game. Both caught passes in USC's 24-21 loss to Utah last year in Salt Lake City.
Twitter: @kylegoon