LOS ANGELES -- Pac-12 football has a longstanding reputation of high-scoring games and wide-open offenses. USC and Utah -- picked to finish first and second in the Pac-12 South media poll prior to the season -- defy the reputation.
The No. 13 Trojans (5-1, 3-1) and Utes (4-1, 1-1) can put up points, evident in scoring averages of 35.5 and 32 points per game, respectively. However, each owes its success in the season's first half to defenses with similar traits.
"Physical guys up front," said Stanford coach David Shaw, whose team is the only opponent to face USC and Utah this season.