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Pac-12 Football: 5 most important Pac-12 South games for 2017

By Erich Hilkert

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans eludes the rush from defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley #98 and defensive lineman Boss Tagaloa #75 of the UCLA Bruins during a 36-14 Trojan win at Rose Bowl on November 19, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans eludes the rush from defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley #98 and defensive lineman Boss Tagaloa #75 of the UCLA Bruins during a 36-14 Trojan win at Rose Bowl on November 19, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 21: Jake  Brendel #54 of the UCLA Bruins calls out assignments against the Utah Utes during the first half of a college football game at Rice Eccles Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 21: Jake  Brendel #54 of the UCLA Bruins calls out assignments against the Utah Utes during the first half of a college football game at Rice Eccles Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) /

5. UCLA at Utah (Nov. 3)

UCLA has a challenging 2017 schedule, but USC and Utah probably have the most challenging schedule among Pac-12 teams. These are the two teams viewed as the biggest potential challengers to USC.

Jim Mora is on the hot seat after an underwhelming 4-8 season. UCLA returns Josh Rosen from a season-ending shoulder injury, although the team’s problems can’t be pinned on one player. Offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu was replaced with the highly-regard Jedd Fisch, who received recommendations from Jim Harbaugh, Pete Carroll and Mike Shanahan.

The new offense will get a significant challenge from the “Sack Lake City” defense. The Utes consistently have one of the conference’s best defensive lines and 2017 is no exception. Utah returns three seniors in Lowell Lotulelei, Kylie Fitts and Filipo Mokofisi with one other young player expected to earn the other spot on the line, Bradlee Anae and Maxs Tupai the two frontrunners.

Ultimately, the UCLA offensive line and the Utah defensive line is the most critical matchup in this game. The UCLA offensive line must keep Rosen upright, not an easy challenge against the Utah defensive line and blitzes from the Utah linebackers, another team strength. Additionally, the offensive line needs to create holes for the UCLA running back-by-committee trio in the backfield.

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