Utah vs USC by the numbers

[ProudUte]

The stats for the season are meaningful because these two teams played very similar schedules.  USC did play Cal instead of Oregon.  So, one could argue that our schedule may have been tougher.

Utah averages 39.6 points per game and 467 yards.

USC averages 42.5 points per game and 506 yards.

Utah gave up an average of 20.1 points and 317 yards.

USC gave up an average of 26.3 points and 405 yards.

Utah has a 19.5 points-per-game difference and 150 yards.

USC has a 16.2 points-per-game difference and 101 yards.

The stats are very close.  However, Utah’s average margin of victory and total yards difference is higher than USCs.  We lost three games and USC only one by one point.  So, these differences may be even more meaningful.

To me, this means, that there is no reason we can’t win this game.  USC’s offense right now is better than Utah’s offense.  However, Utah’s defense is much better than USC’s defense.

As I posted yesterday, I believe if Utah can establish its running game and avoid costly turnovers, this is a game we can definitely win.  It will not be easy and that’s what you would expect in a championship game.

Go Utes!!!

 

[SalUteopia]

Thanks for the summary, Proud. I am feeling fairly confident about our D. It will come down to these 3 inconsistent factors: 1) QB (do we get USC Cam or UO Cam?), 2) TO margin (USC has been exceptional with this – plain luck or shrewd D?), and 3) STs (best hope is that it is a non-factor).

[Utah]

Totally agree. If we can run for 200 yards, we win. Run the ball, don’t turn the ball over. Then have Ludwig and Rising dial up a timely PA pass on 1st down for the big play. 

We got this. 

[chinngiskhaan]

I don’t do predictions but just a few things to point out.

– I think losing Ellis is huge, because we already lost Fillinger. We are started to get pretty thin at DE (admittedly, I have no idea if Ellis will be out or not).
– Also we are extremely banged up. Hopefully Cam is closer to 100%, as well as Kincaid. We will also need JJ, Glover, and Bernard to heal up.

Along those same lines. We fans have to realize that virtually every one of our major contributors has been injured substantially in the last month or so. Rising, Thomas (gone), Kuithe (out for season), Kincaid (shoulder or something like that), Bernard (hammy I think), Glover (think he hurt his leg), JJ (not sure what his injury was, didn’t effect his running last game). Our WRs are the only healthy skill position group because they don’t do anything for this offense most of the time.

We are banged up. Hopefully getting less banged up every day. It should be a good game. We’ll see.

[Trailgoat]

Solid summary. Thanks. All captain obvious stuff below.

Which Rising shows up?
Jonah Ellis healthy? The speed of him and O’toole are key in getting after CW
Dare I say it, special teams. Baffling this is still a problem going on three years.
Oline shows up with solid run blocking and pass protection.
No TOs, no dropped passes, get some stops on defense.
Utah needs to play all four quarters, no sleeping through the first quarter on offense.
Past CCG game experience/underdogs: USC over confident-all pressure’s on them. Media really don’t give Utah a chance. Right where KW likes to be. Shutting up Yogi “SoCal” Roth babble about USC after Utah wins will be a bonus. Go Utes!

[chinngiskhaan]

I don’t think there is really any reason for Ute fans to whine about Yogi Roth. Dude has been talking up Utah for YEARS. He’s given our team more positive press than just about anyone else on planet earth.

A note on the special teams: Yes, kicking has been bad, and kickoffs as well… but BUT there has been improvement since last year in our punting game. Is our punter great? No, but last year our punting was nightmare inducing level horrible. I mean, it felt like a huge success last year every time a punt didn’t get blocked. Our punt blocking has at least been pretty solid this year.

[Whitty]

Agreed, big big fan of Yogi

[prestitute]

Same. Yogi is the best. He is very pro-Pac12, but pretty fair talking about the teams in the conference. He is the only one not all over the jocks of USC/UO, etc. He loves the way Utah plays and has built things. He and Ted are BY FAR my favorite broadcast team on ANY network for watching the Utes. They don’t push all the other promotional stuff on us. When Utah is on ESPN, it seems llike the broadcast teams spend more time teasing the next games or talking about other stuff than they do the actual game. Yogi and Ted give the teams they are covering the respect they deserve.

[Dallas]

No way we Utah fans should complain about Yogi.

[D T]

Our SOS has definitely been tougher than USC’s.

[PhiladelphiaUte]

Our “conference SOS” was tougher than USC’s.  But our overall SOS is only a couple spots ahead.  That’s relatively a “push”.

UWA had pretty weak SOS though.  If it were any worse, Holmoe would’ve turned turn green with envy.

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