Utah Football: 3 keys to victory vs. USC Trojans in Week 4

4 of 4

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver Tyler Vaughns #21 of the USC Trojans gets in front of defensive back Julian Blackmon #23 of the Utah Utes as he catches the ball on the 17 yard line for a first down in the third quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 14, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

1. Defense must play like an elite unit

Washington has one of the best — if not the best — secondaries in the country and Cal might be the best-coached defensive unit in the Pac-12, but from front to back, Utah has the best defense in the league and a top-five group in all of college football. The Utes are going to have to play like it Friday night against the Trojans.

Their primary goal is to make Kedon Slovis look like a freshman. BYU laid the blueprint last week: Play many coverages and dare them to run. The difference between the Cougars’ defense and the Utes is that Utah can get to the quarterback without having to blitz. That is going to be key for the Trojans. The Utes need the ability to play coverage and not leave their cornerbacks on islands. One thing USC has is receivers.

Next. Ranking college football's top 50 fanbases. dark

Running might be difficult for the Trojans if starting running back Vavae Malepeai can’t play. Although it’s the Air-Raid, the Trojans need to at least attempt to run. If they are one-dimensional, it’s going to be a long night for the Trojan offense.

Home/Utah Utes