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USC Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

By Andrew Miller

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Deontay Burnett #80 of the USC Trojans scores a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Deontay Burnett #80 of the USC Trojans scores a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans fumbles in the end zone, but it was ruled a touchdown, in this third quarter play against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium on September 23, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans fumbles in the end zone, but it was ruled a touchdown, in this third quarter play against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium on September 23, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

The Utah Utes are the only team that Sam Darnold has lost to in his career. Last year, Utah defeated USC 31-27. Darnold was held to only 253 passing yards and one total touchdown in that game.

Utah quarterback Troy Williams is one of the most underrated in the Pac-12 and is determined to show that on a national stage against a team like USC. Williams proves his worth in the first quarter with two total touchdowns.

Yet, without running back Joe Williams, the Trojans start to catch onto the Utes’ offensive scheme and start to slow down Troy Williams in the second half. The game is close through the first three quarters with Darnold and Ronald Jones II only notching one touchdown each.

USC carries a 17-14 lead into the fourth quarter, making Trojan fans everywhere nervous. However, Darnold adds one more passing touchdown in the fourth quarter to give USC a 10 point lead.

Williams matches Darnold’s touchdown pass with one of his own. Darnold has the opportunity to seal the game for USC but throws an interception to junior Utah cornerback Tyrone Smith.

The Utes even the game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter and pull off the upset in overtime after freshman USC kicker Michael Brown collapses under the pressure.

Final Score: Utah 27, USC 24 (6-1, 4-1 Pac-12)

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