Utah quarterback Cam Rising evades the deal with of Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell through the Pac-12 championship sport at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. The Utes are again in Sin Metropolis this week, seeking to make to 2 Pac-12 titles in a row after they face No. 4 USC, Spenser Heaps, Deseret Information
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham holds the Pac-12 trophy after the Utes beat Oregon within the Pac-12 championship sport at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Will the Utes have an identical photo-op following Friday’s title sport in opposition to the Trojans? Spenser Heaps, Deseret Information
If No. 11 Utah has a bonus over No. 4 USC within the Pac-12 championship sport Friday, it might be expertise.
The Utes gained the title sport 38-10 over Oregon a yr in the past in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.
“I believe it brings extra confidence as a result of it’s extra acquainted to us,” mentioned linebacker Karene Reid. “We’re not going to be like deer within the headlights. We’ve been there earlier than.”
“You understand what to anticipate,” mentioned quarterback Cam Rising. “You understand what it’s going to appear to be. You’ve simply obtained to go there and go have some enjoyable.”
In actual fact, the Utes are showing of their fourth Pac-12 championship sport look in 5 years.
A number of gamers on the roster have expertise in a number of convention title video games, together with broad receivers Solomon Enis, Devaughn Vele and Jaylen Dixon; security R.J. Hubert; and tight finish Thomas Yassmin.
“You've got some which can be of their fourth (Pac-12 championship sport),” coach Kyle Whittingham mentioned. “It speaks volumes. We’re the fourth in 5 years. Fourth in 4 years, actually, as a result of no one counts COVID. No person. That’s out. We requested for a increase of fingers in a crew assembly and I believe there have been half a dozen of fingers went up which have been in all 4 video games. To have the ability to be in that sport for 4 years working is an actual testomony to our soccer crew, the expertise degree of gamers now we have in this system and the way devoted they're to what they do and the way purchased in they're.”
Attending to this sport is a giant motivator for Whittingham.
“That’s why you recruit, to attempt to win championships and get to the championship and win a bunch of video games,” he mentioned. “We gained 9 video games within the common season, which, we’re not saying we’re thrilled with that, however it speaks to the extent we’re at once you consider a 9-3 season — not fairly what you’re after.”
That is the primary Pac-12 title sport for first-year USC coach Lincoln Riley, however previously he led Oklahoma to Huge 12 championship video games and the School Soccer Playoff. This marks the Trojans’ first Pac-12 championship sport look since 2017.
Whittingham believes expertise in championship video games issues.
“I believe it helps lots. The stage shouldn’t be too large,” he mentioned. “We’ve obtained guys which have been there and completed that. A handful of men are going to their fourth one. Expertise in that regard is an effective factor. That may play in our favor.”
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham holds the Pac-12 trophy after the Utes beat Oregon within the Pac-12 championship sport at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Will the Utes have an identical photo-op following Friday’s title sport in opposition to the Trojans?
Spenser Heaps, Deseret Information