Last season, the USC Trojans narrowly beat the Utah Utes by one point at the Coliseum. Unlike last year however, this year’s game will be played in Utah with two different quarterbacks leading each team. This is how the starters stack up.

Analyzing JT Daniels

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After a slow start to the season, JT Daniels has been one of the main reasons why the Trojans have not lost a game in over a month. Currently at 1,529 passing yards, seven touchdown passes, and a passer rating of 128.6, Daniels looks as though he has been in college football for more than a year. He is only a true freshman however, and will face one of his biggest tests this season when he takes on the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Last week, Daniels had a spectacular performance against Colorado, passing for 283 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the undefeated Buffaloes. Daniels’ receivers have been catching fire as well, as Michael Pittman Jr. helped Daniels out with a 65-yard touchdown reception. Even though Daniels and his receivers looks to be in mid-season form, they will have a harder task this week. The Utes bring a defense which is ranked ninth in the entire country, limiting their opponents to 300 yards a game; these are numbers that Daniels will definitely have to be aware of as he looks to attack the Utes’ secondary.

Last week, Daniels had a slow start to the game throwing two interceptions in the first quarter. If the young quarterback wants any chance of winning this game, he will need to have more down field awareness and do a better job of protecting the ball. For a secondary that has forced five interceptions this year, Daniels has to be smart in his decisions with how he handles the football. Coach Clay Helton has strong confidence however, as Daniels has proved that he can match-up against any team in the country.

Analyzing Tyler Huntley

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Now in his junior season, quarterback Tyler Huntley looks to lead the Utes to their very first Pac-12 Championship. After a late season surge in his sophomore season, Huntley came into this year as motivated as ever. Huntley has definitely lived up to the hype, throwing for 1,221 yards, seven touchdowns, and only three interceptions this season; the Trojan defense has their hands full.

Last week, Huntley had his best performance of the season against the Arizona Wildcats. With a completion percentage of 73.7 percent, a passer rating of 186.8, and even rushing for 64 yards against the Wildcats, Huntley was a force that was almost impossible to stop. If the Trojans want to win this game, they will have to game plan on how to stop Huntley. With the loss of linebacker and sack leader Porter Gustin, the Trojans will have to rely on true freshman Palaie Gaoteote IV, who had a great game last week.

Huntley will look to evade the fast rushing attack of the Trojans defense, which has 15 sacks on the season. Also, expect Huntley to attack the Trojan secondary which has been having a hard time intercepting the ball this year. Huntley has his fair share of star receivers as well, with Britain Covey and Demari Simpkins who have been a major factor in the Utes’ wins this season. At the end of the day, Huntley is one due-threat quarterback that the Trojans cannot underestimate if they wish to pull ahead in the Pac-12 South.