Utah analyst offers the central key to Utes’ showdown against USC
We asked Utah football expert Matt Nigbur, a co-host of the No Truck Stops Pac-12 podcast, about the biggest key to the USC-Utah matchup in Week 7.
Here’s what Nigbur said:
“The Utah defensive line versus the USC offensive line. The long-held dirty little secret about Lincoln Riley’s offense is how it is based around a strong power run game. In previous years, this would maybe even be considered a beneficial matchup for a Utah defense. Stopping the run has been a hallmark for Kyle Whittingham defenses, especially so under DC Morgan Scalley. In 2021, for all of the offensive woes that plagued the Utes early in the season, the real red flag was the run defense.
“BYU carved them up on the way to their first win in the Holy War in more than a decade, and Oregon State ran wild for 7.8 yards per play on the way to 260 yards total. Utah was able to fix the issues last year behind the performances of Devin Lloyd and Nephi Sewell, most notably shutting down Travis Dye twice in the curb stompings that were the Utah vs. Oregon games. In 2022, however, three starters lost on the defensive line and the linebacker turnover have left a very young, underdeveloped front six unable to carry over the improvement from the second half of 2021.
“A defensive line typically known for size and toughness is getting blocked one on one and pushed off the ball, making life on the linebackers much harder than the work has been in previous years. As much as this matchup impacts Caleb Williams and the USC pass game, if Travis Dye is able to do even a portion of what UCLA back Zach Charbonnet did to Utah last week, this game will be over in a hurry. Speaking of the pass game, USC ranks 69th (nice) nationally in sacks allowed per game at 2.00.
“I’m not going to say that is all on the offensive line–Caleb certainly likes to hold the ball and go for the big shots down the field, and for good reason. What I will say is that Williams has flashed his Heisman-level talent most when contending with pressure. His presence and ability to escape while still looking downfield has been nothing short of incredible, and explosive plays both in the run and the pass result from his ability constantly. If Utah can pressure with four, this will allow for a LB spy and some zone wrinkles in coverage to help the Utah defensive backs cover the All-America USC wide receivers. If the Utah DL can’t generate pressure, having to leave the defensive backs on an island or leave Caleb Williams unaccounted for will spell doom.”
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USC, playing Utah on the road, must learn from its offensive struggles at Oregon State
