Utah vs USC: 3 bold predictions for the Pac-12 Championship Game

The Trojans and Utes will both rush for 200 yards

In the last meeting, both teams pretty much put the game on the shoulders of their quarterback. The result was five touchdowns each for Caleb Williams and Cameron Rising, who ran the show while the actual rushing attack went on the back burner.

A few weeks later, expect the rushing game to take on a much larger role.

USC took the talk ahead of the Notre Dame game personally and made it their mission to out-physical the Irish in the trenches. That resulted in Austin Jones leading the way as the Trojans gained 204 yards. Slowing the game down was a winning formula, one USC will look to rely upon again knowing how vulnerable the furious pace of the October meeting made their defense.

Utah will also look to depend on their rushing attack more this time. Rising has a brace on his knee and his mobility has been slightly hindered. Moreover, the Utes seem to have figured out their running back pecking order. Tavion Thomas’ NFL draft declaration was actually a blessing in disguise. His absence has created clarity for Micah Bernard, Ja’Quinden Jackson and the rest of the running back room.