Utes Set For Huge Thursday Night Home Game vs. No. 13 USC

This is the moment everyone has been waiting for.  The home game fans circled on their schedules and have been waiting for since we joined the Pac-12.  No. 13 USC is coming to Rice-Eccles Stadium tomorrow.

The winning picture in our photo contest for front row seats vs USC 

Before the season, this game looked to be much larger than it is now, but that doesn't take away from the opportunity to host one of the most storied programs in college football and showcase The MUSS and Rice-Eccles Stadium as one of the toughest places to play in the Pac-12.

USC and Utah were picked to finish at the top of the South Division by the media before the season started. After starting the season ranked No. 1 in the country, the Trojans slipped against Stanford for the fourth straight season, but have convincingly won every other game and still have an outside shot at a national championship in Barkley's final season.

Utah fell to Utah State in a tougher than expected road game and fell apart at Arizona State, fresh off an emotional win over BYU.  Despite early struggles and a worse than expected record early, (2-2) the Utes can still win the Pac-12 South with only one conference loss. A win over USC Thursday night would put them right back in contention.

USC is full of playmakers and future NFL Draft Picks with Matt Barkley leading the team at quarterback and stars across the entire offense.  High School teammates Marquise Lee and Robert Woods are two of the best wide receivers in the country and running back transfer Silas Redd from Penn State has made an immediate impact.

Despite the dominance USC shows on paper, their offense hasn't performed as well as they were expected to this season.  Their offense ranks sixth in the Pac-12 with 422 yards gained per game and Matt Barkley has possibly played his way out of Heisman contention with five interceptions on the season.

This team is beatable.  Their biggest weakness has been their offensive/defensive lines and execution.  Utah's biggest strength will be their defensive line going against a struggling USC offensive line that may be without center Khaled Holmes. Holmes replacement against Stanford was a redshirt Freshman and he struggled. The task may be even tougher with Star Lotulelei and Utah's defensive line that may have Joe Kruger back. The Utes will need to get pressure and stop the run to win.

Kyle Whittingham is one of the best coaches in the country with time to prepare.  He is (6-1) coming off bye weeks, is (6-1) in bowl games and (5-2) in season openers.  He has had nearly two weeks to prepare for USC and should have a great game plan to stop the Trojans.

This will be the first time ESPN has visited Rice-Eccles Stadium since 2005 (Utah vs. BYU was on ESPN2). It's a Thursday night game and the country will be watching.  Arrive early for kickoff, wear your MUSS Shirt and bring the nosie.  USC has struggled this seaon on third down, comleting just 30 percent, ranking 11th in the Pac-12.

The MUSS Tailgate will start at 4 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. Get in stadium early for the 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPN.

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