USC vs. Utah: What They’re Saying in Salt Lake City

Hats off to USC.  I think people were forgetting their backs were against the wall.  They came out with a couple of giant mistakes and could have folded.  Matt Barkley showed why he’ll be a top three pick and they have two NFL talented receivers, not to mention Silas Redd.  USC had to have this won and fought back to get it.

The Utes still have little offense and a sometimes good defense.

Now comes the sinking realization they’ve been here before — a middling-or-below team in a fast league.

So plan on the usual talk about regrouping, focus and character. It might even work. Give the Utes some credit. It wasn’t a blowout until then end, which is a lot like sticking to a diet … until shortly after lunch.

Unfortunately, when you’ve got absolutely no offense … you’re not going to win. No matter how much heart you throw into it … no matter how much energy you’ve got to give, with zero offense, you’re pretty much doomed to defeat.

“The penalties are definitely the biggest negative,” senior wide receiver DeVonte Christopher said after the game. “There were a few big plays that I can remember that were called back. Just situational football that we need to get better at.”

Some of these penalties and turnovers proved costly for both teams, especially Utah. While they benefitted from two bad snaps in the opening minutes of the game, resulting in fumbles that led to 14 Utah points, they also gave up 14 points on turnovers — a Dallin Rogers fumble and a Jon Hays pick-6.