Utah Utes tight end Dalton Kincaid. (Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports)
A single point separated Utah vs USC when they first met in 2022. It’s fitting they’ll face off again to prove who is worthy of the Pac-12 Championship.
One of the biggest complaints about the Pac-12 Championship Game over recent years is how irrelevant it was to the broader College Football Playoff picture.
This year, that’s been rectified.
The Pac-12 title game has massive implications as USC seeks a conference championship and playoff berth while Utah aims to humble the Trojans for a second time with a repeat trophy and the Rose Bowl on the line.
What should fans expect from this one?
3 bold predictions for Utah vs. USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game
Dalton Kincaid will have less than 75 yards
Dalton Kincaid absolutely demolished USC last time around. He caught 16 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown while the Trojans had no way to stop him.
That performance for the ages obviously isn’t repeatable. But this time around the Trojans will have actual answers for him. He won’t have more than 75 yards.
First and foremost, Kincaid suffered an injury against Colorado. Kyle Whittingham told reporters this week he would play against USC, but there’s a chance he will be hampered by the injury.
At the same time, USC will be hyper-focused on limiting his impact. Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer ended up with eight catches for 98 yards in an admirable performance last week but even then the Trojans showed signs that they can handle a tight end significantly better now than before.
Kincaid destroyed USC by being wide-open and tacking on YAC yards. Mayer ate by catching contested passes. If the Trojans cover Kincaid like they did Mayer, especially with his injury, they will limit him.
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