USC Football: Ranking Trojans’ 2020 opponents by toughness
6. player. Oct. 2. Salt Lake City (Utah). Utah Utes. 843. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Utah had a magical season in 2019 and were one win away from making the College Football Playoff. All the Utes needed to do was win the Pac-12 title game versus Oregon and they would be in. Oregon dominated the Utes, winning 37-15 and denying Utah a spot in the final four. That carried over into the Utes’ bowl game, where Texas administered similar punishment, winning the game 38-10.
Utah will need to replace their starting quarterback, running back and several defensive stars. This will be a huge test for head coach Kyle Wittingham.
USC was the only team to beat Utah in the regular season and that was largely due to the Trojans’ playmakers on the outside. Salt Lake City is typically a tough place to play, especially for the Trojans, who have not won there since 2012. This will be the first big test for Utah in the 2020 season and it can be assumed that South Carolina transfer quarterback Jake Bentley will be assuming control of the offense in 2020. Bentley had an up and down career at South Carolina, but he does not lack for talent.
This game will be a big test for both sides and will be a good indicator of how the Pac-12 South race will shape up.
Washington Huskies. 5. player. 818. Pick Analysis. Nov. 14. Los Angeles (Calif.). Scouting Report
One of the best programs in the Pac-12 in recent seasons, Washington will be one of the most interesting teams in the country to keep an eye on in 2020.
Chris Petersen pulled a stunning move and retired at the end of last season and handed the reigns over the defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, who is thought to be one of the rising stars among coaches in college football. Washington had a disappointing season in 2019, finishing 8-5, when some thought the Huskies could be darkhorse playoff contenders. Washington will be bringing in a new quarterback, running back and new key players on defense.
Washington and USC do not play each other annually and have split the last two meetings, with the Huskies winning 28-14 last year and USC winning 26-13 in 2016.
Washington is a boom or bust team in 2020 and we will know if the Huskies are contenders or pretenders by the time they come to the Coliseum in November.