There have been some unforgettable moments when the Utes and Trojans have shared a football field.
How about Travis Wilson finding Kaelin Clay for a game-winning score to beat USC for the first time in 99 years? Or Cam Rising misreading a play on his wristband and accidentally calling for a flea-flicker that would help the Utes get their first win over the Trojans in L.A. in more than a century?
There was Dalton Kincaid’s perfect night in 2022 (capped by Rising’s two-point conversion) and Utah’s triumph over the Trojans in the Pac-12 championship game just weeks later.
There have been comebacks, and storylines and heroes galore.
But is it a rivalry?
“It’s been great,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said this week. “I don’t want to call it a rivalry because I don’t think that’s the situation, but it’s been a great back-and-forth series.”
The Utes head back to the Coliseum this weekend for the final time in the Pac-12 era (a stretch that has seen Utah go 6-7 against USC after winning each of the last three meetings).
Whittingham noted each game has been intense, competitive, with plenty on the line.
“I’m sure this year will be no different,” he said.
How to watch No. 14 Utah at No. 18 USC
Kickoff: 6 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports
Radio: ESPN 700 AM
Keys to the game
1. Caleb Williams
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) scrambles for a first down as the University of Utah hosts USC, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.
Last year’s Heisman winner is “one of the most talented players we’ve ever faced,” Whittingham said. Williams has already thrown for 23 touchdowns and more than 2,000 yards so far this year. But the Utes will take note of last week’s film: Notre Dame intercepted Williams three times and limited him to under 200 yards passing in a 48-20 win for the Irish.
2. Play it safe
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) throws a pass during warmups before football action between the Utah Utes and the Weber State Wildcats, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.
Quarterback Cam Rising has yet to suit up for a game this season and there’s been no declaration made that he’ll be back this weekend. That would put the ball back in the hands of backup Bryson Barnes (or perhaps Nate Johnson). Barnes has only thrown one touchdown pass this season, but he’s also managed to limit himself to just two picks.
“Offensively we’ve got to continue to take care of the football,” Whittingham said. “Even if we haven’t been prolific by any stretch on offense, we’ve done a good job of not putting the defense in bad situations.”
3. Find a spark
(James Roh | Special to The Tribune) Utah Utes running back Sione Vaki (28) runs the ball against the California Golden Bears during the first half at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
Last week, safety Sione Vaki was turned loose as a Wildcat quarterback and rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Cal. Vaki will have two-way opportunities for the rest of the season, Whittingham has said, though it might be asking a bit much for a repeat performance.
Who else might be able to step up and provide a spark for Utah on Saturday?
Safety Nate Ritchie will get a chance on defense, with veteran Cole Bishop sitting out the first half due to a targeting call against Cal. Former USC Trojan Munir McClain, meanwhile, is eager to show what he can do for the Utes offense now that he’s being asked to step into a bigger role too.
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