Utah Utes football: Gameday glance

Published: Friday, Sept. 9 2011 11:35 p.m. MDT

Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods, right, celebrates in the the face of Minnesota defensive back Shady Salamon during the first half of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Associated Press

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Summary

Utah (1-0) at USC (1-0)

Saturday, 5:30 p.m. MT

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (93,607)

Grass

Los Angeles, Calif.

TV: Versus

Radio: 700 AM

Weather: Partly cloudy, 76 degrees

THE STAKES

For USC . . . Because of NCAA sanctions, the Trojans can't play in the Pac-12 title game or make a bowl appearance this season. It's all about pride for USC.

For Utah . . . A victory in the inaugural Pac-12 game will give the Utes instant credibility in the expanded conference. It would also be a win for the "little guys."

THE TRENDS

For USC . . . The Trojans have lost four of their past seven conference games. Two of the setbacks (Oregon, Washington) came at the Coliseum.

For Utah . . . The Utes are 5-1 in second games of the season and 4-2 in conference openers since Kyle Whittingham became the coach in 2005.

THE EDGE

Utah will win if . . . Jordan Wynn and the offense are able to establish a potent passing attack, last week's 101-yard effort simply won't cut it.

USC will win if . . . Matt Barkley and company reach the end zone more often than they did in last Saturday's 19-17 victory over Minnesota.

PLAYER TO WATCH

ROBERT WOODS, USC: The sophomore receiver caught a team-record 17 passes and scored three touchdowns the Trojans' season opener against Minnesota.

KEY MATCHUP

USC QUARTERBACK MATT BARKLEY VS. UTAH'S SECONDARY: The junior completed a school-record 34 passes in the victory over Minnesota. Now he faces a Utah secondary lacking in experience, all with just one career start.

INJURY REPORT

UTAH: Running back Tauni Vakapuna (high ankle sprain) and fullback Shawn Asiata (hamstring) are questionable.

USC: Left guard Abe Markowitz (foot) is questionable.

NEXT UP

Utah visits BYU Sept. 17 (ESPN2, 7:15 p.m.), while USC plays host to Syracuse.

SCHEDULE

(All times Mountain)

Date....Opponent....Time....(TV)/result

Sept. 1 UTAH 27, Montana State 10

Sept. 10 at USC 5:30 p.m. (Versus)

Sept. 17 at BYU 7:15 p.m. (ESPN2)

Oct. 1 vs. Washington TBA (TBA)

Oct. 8 vs. Arizona State TBA (TBA)

Oct. 15 at Pittsburgh TBA (TBA)

Oct. 22 at California TBA (TBA)

Oct. 29 vs. Oregon State TBA (TBA)

Nov. 5 at Arizona TBA (TBA)

Nov. 12 vs. UCLA TBA (TBA)

Nov. 19 at Washington State TBA (TBA)

Nov. 25 vs. Colorado 1:30 p.m. (FSN)

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