It has been a disappointing first half of the season for Cameron Rising, who was outplayed by the opposing quarterback in each of Utah’s two losses. Now, in his third shot in a high-profile game, Rising can make up for a couple of missteps.
It’s a case of trading places as the Utes host USC on Saturday night in Salt Lake City. Utah, a preseason Top 10 team, has slipped to 20th in the rankings. The No. 7 Trojans (6-0) are the team on the rise. Rising threw a last-minute interception in a season-opening loss at Florida, which followed Florida QB Anthony Richardson to a minor upset in “The Swamp.” Rising failed to pass for a touchdown last week in the Utes’ loss to UCLA, which got a five-touchdown performance from Dorian Thompson-Robinson at the Rose Bowl. Rising’s showdown with USC quarterback Caleb Williams has Pac-12 title game implications. Rising has 13 touchdown passes and three interceptions for a Utah offense averaging 40.3 points. Williams, who has 14 touchdown passes and one interception, leads a Trojans offense averaging 40.2 points. While each quarterback will make big plays through the air, the Utes’ decisive advantage should be their ground attack. Rising is an elusive runner, and Utah’s Tavion Thomas is a physical back who can punish a shaky USC run defense. Rising and Thomas have combined for 634 rushing yards in six games. Utah has the stronger defense, and its home-field advantage will be another obvious edge. USC has won on the road at Oregon State and Stanford, but the Trojans are set up to take a fall in by far the most challenging situation they have faced. I refuse to lay the hook on a 3.5-point favorite, so I’ll recommend Utah on the moneyline (-160) or at -3 by buying the hook.Pick: Utah -3 (-130)
Seven more plays for Saturday (HOME team in CAPS):
TENNESSEE (+ 7.5) over Alabama: This is a high-pressure game, and the Crimson Tide defense will pressure the quarterback, but Hendon Hooker is a fifth-year senior who can handle it. Hooker has a total of 41 touchdown passes and three interceptions in his two seasons at Tennessee. The Vols also have a solid run defense, which will be a necessity in this matchup. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is expected to start, yet he’s not fully healthy. The Tide’s trend of narrow escapes on the road the past two seasons indicates this dog should be dangerous.