Utah vs. USC: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

One of the most intriguing Week 9 matchups on the college football schedule occurs when the Utah Utes travel to the Coliseum to take on the USC Trojans.

Both the Utes and Trojans are in the midst of a heated battle for position within the Pac-12, with the former at 1-3 in the conference and the latter at 1-2. 

Outside of the obvious bowl and conference implications, the two teams have also been drastically unpredictable this season. USC is in a state of flux under Ed Orgeron and lost to Notre Dame last week. Utah is just as bad, coming off a loss to Arizona, with a major upset win over then-No. 5 Stanford just the week prior.

In other words, the action from the Coliseum is sure to entertain. Here is everything fans need to know about the important matchup.

When: Saturday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. ET

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, Calif.

Television: Pac-12 Network

Live Stream: ESPN3

Betting Lines (via Vegas Insider)

• Over/Under: N/A
• Spread: USC (-7)

Utes Injury Report (via USA Today)

Player	Pos.	Date	Details	Status	Injury
Brian Blechen	LB	10/20/2013	Questionable for Saturday's game against USC	Questionable	Knee
Tevin Carter	S	08/17/2013	Will miss the entire season	Out	Academics
Moses Folauhola	DE	08/11/2013	Will miss the entire season	Out	Concussion
Jacoby Hale	LB	10/20/2013	Questionable for Saturday's game against USC	Questionable	Undisclosed
Reshawn Hooker	S	08/11/2013	Will miss the entire season	Out	Concussion
Jake Murphy	TE	10/09/2013	Expected to miss the remainder of the season	Out	Wrist
Jarrell Oliver	RB	08/17/2013	Will miss the entire season	Out	Foot
Kenneth Scott	WR	08/30/2013	Expected to miss the remainder of the season	Out	Ankle
Westlee Tonga	TE	10/09/2013	Out indefinitely	Out	Undisclosed
Stevie Tu'ikolovatu	T	08/22/2013	Will miss the entire season	Out	Foot
Travis Wilson	QB	10/20/2013	Questionable for Saturday's game against USC	Questionable	Hand

Trojans Injury Report (via USA Today)

Player	Pos.	Date	Details	Status	Injury
Zach Banner	OL	09/27/2013	Will miss the remainder of the season	Out	Hip
Victor Blackwell	WR	10/20/2013	Questionable for Saturday's game against Utah	Out	Ankle
Xavier Grimble	TE	10/20/2013	Questionable for Saturday's game against Utah	Questionable	Shoulder
Marqise Lee	WR	10/20/2013	Questionable for Saturday's game against Utah	Questionable	Knee
Tre Madden	RB	10/20/2013	Questionable for Saturday's game against Utah	Questionable	Hamstring
Steven Mitchell	WR	08/08/2013	Will miss the entire season	Out	Knee
D.J. Morgan	RB	10/20/2013	Questionable for Saturday's game against Utah	Questionable	Knee
Devian Shelton	CB	09/27/2013	Will miss the remainder of the season	Out	Foot
Greg Townsend Jr	DL	09/27/2013	Will miss the remainder of the season	Out	Knee

Which Cody Kessler Shows Up?

The Trojans go as sophomore quarterback Cody Kessler does. 

When Kessler is on his game and the play-calling is sound, the Trojans typically emerge victorious. Unfortunately, Kessler has been erratic at best and has completed less than 60 percent of his passes in four games this year. He has also thrown eight touchdowns to five interceptions.

Even worse, Utah allows just 255 yards passing per game with a 57.9 completion percentage.

While he has played better under Orgeron, Kessler needs to elevate his game in order to pull out an important conference win. A 58.8 completion percentage with an interception isn't going to get it done, which was Kessler's line in the 14-10 loss last week.

Prediction

Should Kessler play well, this one could be close.

But Utah and quarterback Travis Wilson have little issue putting up points in a hurry. Wilson and Co. were able to drop 27 points on Top 25 defenses UCLA and Stanford, so reaching that point again versus USC is not out of the question.

USC is at home, but accounting for Wilson and his over 1,600 yards passing and 300 rushing yards, not to mention his 19 total touchdowns, will be difficult for the Trojans defense. This is especially the case after an emotional, physically demanding loss to Notre Dame on the road a week ago.

Kelly and the Utes will find a way to put enough points on the board to pull out the win.

Final Score: Utes win 28-27.

Follow B/R's Chris Roling on Twitter for more news and analysis @Chris_Roling