Hopes and Concerns About Utah's PAC-12 Opener vs. USC Saturday

Quickly approaching Saturday afternoon's game in Los Angeles against the Trojans, the Utes are hopefully focusing on doing what they have done in the past to get to two BCS bowl games in the 2004 and 2008 seasons and to get to where they are now, in the PAC-12, and hopefully are not focusing on the implications of this Saturday's game at USC.

There is a lot at stake and several main hopes and concerns associated with what goes on in the Coliseum Saturday for the Utes and with what the outcome of this game is.

What are those hopes and concerns? Click on...

Concerns and Implications for the Utes Going into USC Game

I have five concerns going into this USC game for the Utes and hope that they are unfounded come Saturday afternoon when I'm in the Coliseum watching the Utes take on the Trojans. A couple of these concerns also have to do with implications for the Utes if things do not go smoothly on Saturday. The five concerns are:

1. Bad Loss to Trojans Carries Over to Rivalry Game the Following Week at BYU and the USC Game Beats the Utes Twice

2. Bad Loss to USC Affects the Remainder of the Utes' Season Negatively

3. Jordan Wynn Can't Throw the Ball Deep

4. Cornerbacks Aren't Quite Able to Keep Up With USC's Receiving Corps and Matt Barkley's Arm

5. Offensive Line Lacks Ability to Protect Jordan Wynn in a Crazy Coliseum Atmosphere Against the Athletes on the Trojans' D

Hopes and Opportunities for the Utes Going into USC Game

On the other side of the pendulum are my hopes for the Utes going into the game at USC and the opportunities that are presented to them with this nationally televised PAC-12 matchup. My hopes are the following:

1. A Win at USC Propels the Utes to a Successful Start to the Season that Carries Over to the BYU Game and the Rest of the Season

2. A Win on Saturday Gets the Utes Some National Respect and Helps Support the Argument Against the Monopoly of the BCS Teams, Bowls and Conferences, as a Little Guy Making its Way In and Then Taking Care of Business

3. Jordan Wynn Opens Up His Throw Game Again and Shows that He is Still Able to Perform Like He Did in the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl Against Cal While the O-Line Gives Him Enough Time and Protection to Find His Men Downfield

4. Norm Chow's Offense Produces Much Better Through the Air While Continuing With its Solid Ground Game Led by JC Transfer John White IV

5. The Utah Defense Steps Up As They Usually Do and Limits Barkley, Woods and Company to Minimal Scoring Opportunities