CFB: Conference Championship Preview – #11 UTAH (9-3, 7-2) vs. #4 USC (11-1, 7-2)

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Fri., Dec. 2 • 5:00 pm PT • FOX

UTAH: Playing in their 4th Pac-12 Championship Game in the last 5 years. Looking to become just the 3rd school to win back-to-back Pac-12 Championship Games (Stanford 2012-13 & Oregon 2019-20). A win would give Utah 10+ wins in consecutive seasons for just the 3rd time in school history (2003-04, 2008-10). 4-2 this season against teams with winning records including 2-2 against teams in the current CFP Top 25. 63 points and 662 total yards last week at Colorado, were both their most in a conference game since joining the Pac-12. Have scored 30+ points in 9 of 12 games this season and 7 of their 9 wins have come by 20+ points. QB Cameron Rising 3 pass TD last week at Colorado, had career-high 415 pass yards and 5 total TD (2 pass, 3 rush) in win over USC earlier this season. TE Dalton Kincaid 102 receiving yards for his 2nd game with 100+ rec yards this season. Kincaid had 16 receptions for 234 yards (both Pac-12 records for tight ends). With leading rusher Tavion Thomas out for the rest of the season, former QB turned RB Ja’Quinden Jackson had 117 rush yards on 10 carries with 3 rush TD last week,

USC: Playing in their 4th Pac-12 Championship Game and 2nd in the last 3 years. USC won their only Pac-12 Championship Game in 2017, defeating Stanford 31-28 behind MVP Sam Darnold. 5-1 against teams with winning records this season and 4-1 in games decided by 8 points or less. First 11-1 start since 2008 and Lincoln Riley ties the school record for most wins in a head coaches first season at USC. +7 win improvement from last year ties the largest turnaround in USC history (1961-62). 436 total yards last week, becoming the first team to gain 400+ yards on Notre Dame this season. QB Caleb Williams 3 rush TD and 1 pass TD last week, becoming 1st USC QB since at least 1996 to have 3 rush TD in a game. Williams has 44 total TD this season, tied for most in FBS and is also the most ever by a USC QB. After losing leading rusher Travis Dye for the season, Austin Jones has had back-to-back games with 100+ rush yards including 154 against Notre Dame last week. USC defense has 19 interceptions this season, their most since 2012 and the Trojans have an FBS best +23 turnover margin. DL Tuli Tuipulotu leads FBS with 12.5 sacks this season.

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NCAAFB Editor
NCAAFB Editor
https://sportsgamingjournal.com/category/ncaa-fb/
Profile: A dedicated college football analyst with a deep understanding of the sport’s tactical complexity, recruiting landscape, and conference‑wide dynamics. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage of the NCAA football season, blending film study, statistical insight, and historical context to explain how programs evolve from Week 1 through bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Background: With extensive experience covering Division I football, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on coaching trends, roster construction, and player development. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term program trajectories across all major conferences. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Recruiting analysis, transfer‑portal movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, scheme evolution, and conference‑wide trends Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes, advanced metrics, and recruiting data into insights that resonate with both long‑time college football fans and new followers of the sport. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the tradition, passion, and unpredictability that define NCAA football.