What’s next for USC? Pac-12 title game vs. Utah

No. 4 USC vs. No. 12 Utah

When: Friday, 5 p.m.

Where: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, Nev.)

TV/Radio: Fox/AM 790

Records: USC 11-1, 8-1 in Pac-12; Utah 9-3, 7-2

USC update: After a 38-27 win over rival Notre Dame, the Trojans have put themselves firmly in College Football Playoff position. With three wins over ranked opponents and the chance this week to avenge their only loss of the season, USC seems like a lock for its first-ever trip to the CFP should it beat the Utes in Vegas. … After a week of hearing about how vulnerable its run defense was against the Irish, USC limited Notre Dame to 90 yards on the ground and 3.5 per carry. Notre Dame had rushed for more than 200 yards in four of its previous five games prior to facing USC. … While the defense was good, quarterback Caleb Williams stole the show with his four total touchdowns and two Heisman poses. He will enter the Pac-12 championship as the favorite to win the coveted trophy.

Utah latest: The Utes needed some help to reach the Pac-12 title game after a Week 12 loss to Oregon, and they received it. While Utah took care of business with a 63-21 win over Colorado, the Utes needed UCLA to beat Cal, Oregon State to beat Oregon and Washington to beat Washington State. All three outcomes broke Utah’s way, clearing the path for this rematch in Las Vegas. … Since his 415-yard performance in a 43-42 victory over USC in Salt Lake City on Oct. 15, Utah QB Cam Rising has dealt with a knee injury. After missing one game, he has not returned to full strength. The last four games, Rising has completed 71 of 115 passes and thrown for an average of 193.5 yards per game with seven touchdowns to four interceptions. Three of those picks came in the loss to Oregon.

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