Pac-12 Football 2017: 5 teams on upset alert in Week 7

At home this weekend, No. 13 USC faces a Utah team that just dropped out of the polls. The Utes stumbled against Stanford last week in a three-point defeat. Even so, Kyle Whittingham’s team can reestablish itself as a Pac-12 South contender if they deal the Trojans a second loss this season.

The result could determine which team takes on the Apple Cup winner in December for the Pac-12 crown. While USC has pretensions of playing in the College Football Playoff, they will first need to get past one of the stingiest teams in the country. After showing promise last season, the Utes are points to make their own run for the league crown.

USC is posted as nearly a two-touchdown favorite against the Utes. If USC’s defense can force Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold into another rough outing this year, a defense allowing fewer than 19 points per game will put USC on upset alert.

While Utah goes on the road this week, they have the potential to make Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum feel like home. The Utes are in position to  reclaim leadership of the Pac-12 South, as the Trojans struggle to move effectively against one of the most deceptively strong teams in all of the nation.