USC Football DL Tuli Tuipulotu receives notable award from the Pac-12

Ahead of their match-up against Utah, USC Football's defense has been on a roll this season. With crucial defensive stands against teams like Oregon State, it is clear that USC has an immense amount of talent on that side of the ball. The linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs find ways to contribute; leading to more opportunities to make a play.

Bringing in a great defensive coordinator (Alex Grinch) only elevated USC's potential. Moreover, star defensive lineman, Tuli Tuipulotu, was recently named defensive player and defensive lineman of the week for last week. This is a notable honor for the third-year star out of Hawthorne, California.

Head Coach Lincoln Riley relies heavily on Tuipulotu's contributions. As he sends pressure on opposing offensive linemen, the quarterback is forced to make an inaccurate pass, resulting in more opportunities for the rest of the defense. Having a player like Tuipulotu who can direct heat up front will be critical in USC's national title hopes.

Based on his performance against Washington State, the Pac-12 did not hesitate to name Tuipulotu the week's top defensive player. He posted five total tackles in his week six showing, including three first-half sacks. Tuipulotu earned his recognition and does not plan to stop as USC aims to hand Utah their third loss of the season.

While being named as the conference defensive player of the week may be an accomplishment, Tuipulotu has much more to look forward to. His force in the run game and through the air is the main component of Riley's defensive game plan. Additionally, Tuipulotu will likely be in the discussion for several other recognitions as the season progresses. 

Star defensive lineman, Tuli Tuipulotu, is one of USC Football's most valuable players. 

USC Football's Tuli Tuipulotu has been an anchor on defense thus far. His size, athleticism, and agility are one of a kind. There are not too many defensive players in the country who can match the skill set Tuipulotu possesses. In addition, the way he can move at 290 lbs seems unrealistic. It is easy to see why he was ranked as a four-star prospect coming out of high school.

Throughout USC's historic start to the season, Tulipulotu has found himself as the nation's leader in sacks, and second in tackles for loss. These impressive statistics display his dominance and impact when the defense needs him the most. After six exceptional performances this season, he still does not receive the credit he deserves.

The match-up against Utah will be Riley's most challenging task of the year. However, with how he has game-planned through six games, Utah should not be much of a problem. If USC can pull a win out, they will likely jump up in the AP Top 25 poll. It is only a matter of time before USC's name is mentioned along with the top four seeds in the country.