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New "Inside the Trojans' Huddle" Thursday (Dec. 1) edition: Pac-12 Championship Game preview, USC/UTAH "Big Ten", Addison and Gentry, Conference championship games predictions

Greg Katzby:Greg Katz•12/01/22
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(Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

In Thursday’s “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle”, panelists Marc Kulkin Chris Arledge, Erik McKinney, and Greg Katz preview the Pac-12 Championship Game featuring the CFP No. 4 USC Trojans and the CFP No. 11 Utah, a new USC-Utah special “Big Ten” rapid-fire “over and under” segment, surprise performers that could make a big impact on the title game, and the panel gives their predictions for the conference championship games that could affect the College Football Playoffs Selection Committee’s final rankings on Sunday.

Kicking off the second half and the third quarter, the panel previews in depth USC’s Friday Pac-12 Championship Game opponent, the No. 15 Utah Utes. The panel gives various thoughts on matchups regarding the offenses versus the defenses of each team and what to expect from Utah quarterback Cameron Rising, the Utes rushing game, tight end Dalton Kincaid, and the expectations from the Utah offense that had a big game last time these two met back on Oct. 15 in Salt Lake City. Another theme, can the Utah defense slowdown the USC offense?

After the lighting of the WeAreSC Coliseum torch between the third and fourth quarter, the panel gives rapid-fire “over and under” answers to USC/Utah “Big Ten” questions. One question asks will the Trojans win by the opening 2 ½ -point odds, “over or under”? You might find some real descent amongst the panel in the margin of an anticipated victory. Will USC’s rushing average per game be “over or under” against the rugged Utes defense? Will the Trojans passing average per game be “over or under” against a strong Utah secondary that may be a bit banged up? Will USC have more penalties than their seasonal average or will Utah have more penalties than their seasonal average?

In the fourth quarter, the panel is asked to name something either on offense or defense that they predict will happen in the Pac-12 title game and why. Naturally, answers were well thought out, but each panelist gave a different perspective to the question. You might be surprised by what you hear and some of the names that could have a major impact.

Also, one of the aspects of the championship game discussed was the impact of having wide receiver Jordan Addison back at full strength after missing most of the second half along with standout inside linebacker Eric Gentry at Utah. Are both that valuable to the USC cause against the Utes?

In Overtime, the panel gives their predictions on the weekend’s championship conference games from the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and the Pac-12 conferences. Some of the picks are no-brainers, but there was a big upset with one of the matchups, can you guess which one? It certainly wasn’t the Pac-12 Conference Championship Game!

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz