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USC vs Stanford: 5 Things We Learned and What They Mean For Utah
Oct 11, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Southern California Trojans center Viane Talamaivao (60) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Trojans fell to Stanford, 27-10 in Week 3, with the stakes for the 2016 season rising. Here’s five things we learned from USC vs Stanford and what they mean for Utah.
It wasn’t exactly a blowout, but USC’s 27-10 loss to Stanford in Palo Alto felt like another psychological blow for the Trojans.
Clay Helton ended the night telling reporters that his team is taking steps forward and will eventually reach their potential.
For that to be the case, the Trojans have only a few days to learn from their mistakes and turn the corner.
Here’s what we learned vs Stanford and what it means for when USC takes on Utah…
Discipline (Or Lack Thereof) Takes Many Forms
USC’s discipline problem has been the talk of the town since the season began and there seems to be no sign of it slowing down.
Against Alabama it was Jabari Ruffin stomping on Minkah Kelly, resulting in an ejection. Leading off Week 2, it was Chuma Edoga pushing a ref, resulting in an ejection. Saturday in Palo Alto, it was penalty after penalty on the offensive line.
The Trojans drew eight penalties for 56 yards against Stanford — six of those took the form of false starts, including three on one drive.
They were small, but ultimately devastating blows for the offense which found itself in third-and-long situations early and often.
What does that mean for Utah?
The false start problem should be a major concern heading into Rice-Eccles Stadium, a venue in which fans mark pre-snap penalties like a pitcher’s strikes.
The trouble with discipline goes beyond those penalties, however, and with the season on the line on Friday, the Trojans must guard against letting their emotions get the best of them in a highly charged environment.
Sep 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Trojans running back Justin Davis (22) carries the ball against the Utah State Aggies during a NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USC Can Run (But Will They)
The big test against Alabama was whether or not USC could run the ball. They couldn’t, overrun as the offense was by the Crimson Tide defensive front.
Stanford stood as a second test of the Trojans mettle, one that USC came much closer to passing.
Despite the other problems for the offensive line, the Trojans did manage to clear the way for USC running backs consistently against the physical Cardinal front. As a result, Justin Davis and Ronald Jones II averaged better than five yards per carry.
What does that mean for Utah?
The trouble for USC’s rushing attack versus Stanford wasn’t the ability to run, it was the willingness.
The Trojans ran the ball just 25 times, or just 40 percent of plays. Part of that can be attributed to the deficit, but USC still ran the ball just 12 times in the first half when the ground attack was most effective and the score had yet to require more passing plays.
During the Clay Helton era, USC has won every game which featured 40 or more rushing attempts. Losses in that time have seen the Trojans average 30 carries per game.
By running the ball so well against Stanford, USC proved they can run on any front in the Pac-12, including Utah’s. But they need to put the ball in the running backs hands.
October 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans tight end Tyler Petite (82) is hit out of bounds by Utah Utes defensive back Marcus Williams (20) during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Tight End Position Is Alive
This may come as a shock to USC fans, but Trojan tight ends exist and might just be a viable weapon for the offense.
Tyler Petite was targeted four times versus Stanford, catching three passes for a team game-best 73 yards. That’s the most yards for a USC tight end in a single game since Anthony McCoy had 153 yards against Notre Dame in October of 2009.
What does that mean for Utah?
On Saturday, USC exploited the deep middle of the field with the tight end for the first time in what feels like forever — certainly the first time in 2016.
Could it be that they’ll do it again on Friday night against Utah? It would be wise considering the Utes are breaking in several new linebackers, ripe for a mismatch.
Nor would it have to involve the same target alone, as the Trojans boast two additional tight ends who deserve the occasional target. Taylor McNamara and Daniel Imatorbhebhe fit the mold as blocking tight ends more than Petite, but the former has proven a reasonable weapon in and around the red zone while Imatorbhebhe’s athleticism should warrant some opportunities to make his mark in the passing game as well.
Adoree’ Jackson’s All-American Campaign Continues
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Trojans thus far, but one player has never wavered.
Adoree’ Jackson continued to make his claim for All-American votes on Saturday by shutting down Stanford’s No. 1 receiver Michael Rector, deflecting a deep pass in the endzone then leaping for his first interception of the year. That’s the third primary target Jackson has neutralized in three games this season.
Jackson didn’t stop their though. He was second on the team in tackles and added a tackle for loss as well.
What does that mean for Utah?
Utah’s receiving corps is missing both of last year’s primary pass catching targets, with Kenneth Scott lost to graduation and Britain Covey gone for his Mormon mission.
But the Utes are not without capable receivers in the rebuilt unit.
Most notably, Tim Patrick has emerged as a favorite target of new Utah quarterback Troy Williams.
Patrick missed most of the 2014 season with a broken leg which also kept him out all of last year.
The 6-foot-5 receiver has made up for lost time by logging 285 yards and four touchdowns on 14 receptions in three games this season.
It’ll be Jackon’s job to nullify the height difference and keep Patrick in check.
Sep 17, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton reacts during a NCAA football game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Everything Rides On Utah
In hindsight, USC stands exactly where most observers expected them to stand, at 1-2 with a must-win game with Utah on the horizon.
Just how must-win the first division game of the season has become is the unexpected part.
Losses to No. 1 Alabama and No. 7 Stanford aren’t necessarily the problem — the nature of those losses are.
Had USC put up more of a fight against the Cardinal on Saturday and the Tide two weeks ago, the prospects for the season would have looked much brighter. Instead, the undisciplined Trojans were bested easily in both match ups.
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Now, the air around USC threatens to become toxic as fans unconvinced by the Clay Helton hire in the first place become more and more frustrated with the Trojans trajectory under the new head coach. Helton cannot afford to bring a 1-3 squad back to the Coliseum
What does that mean for Utah?
USC was in dire straights when the Trojans welcomed highly-ranked Utah to the Coliseum last year. That was when Helton’s squad rallied and upset the Utes to spark a four-game winning streak midway through the season and revived their hopes of claiming the Pac-12 South division title.
The loss to Stanford gives USC little leeway in their quest to repeat, but they would face near-impossible odds with a loss in the division, especially to another possible contender.
In that way, everything rides on beating Utah — team pride, season aspirations, and perhaps job stability for the head coach.
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