5 things to watch for in the 2022 Pac-12 Football Championship Game

LAS VEGAS — A conference title will be on the line Friday when No. 4 USC and No. 11 Utah duke it out in the 2022 Pac-12 Football Championship Game.

The Utes (9-3) are looking to defend their title, while the Trojans (11-1) are seeking their first Pac-12 championship since 2017 and to avenge a regular-season loss to the Utes, their only defeat this season. 

The rematch kicks off at 5 p.m. PT at Allegiant Stadium and will air on FOX. Catch The Pregame ahead of the matchup on Pac-12 Network starting at 3:30p PT / 4:30p MT on Friday, Dec. 2, as well as an hour of postgame coverage from the crew. 

Here are five things to watch for in the big game.

Prolific offenses led by star quarterbacks

The Pac-12 was loaded with quarterbacks this season, so it's no surprise that both teams in the championship game have excellent signal-callers.

We have to start with USC's Caleb Williams, who has emerged as a Heisman frontrunner after capping an excellent regular season with a standout performance against Notre Dame, accounting for 267 yards and four touchdowns, including three on the ground, in the win.

Williams has a big arm and his elusiveness allows him to extend plays and create plays with his legs. He's thrown for 34 touchdowns and rushed for 10. Sometimes seeking the big play can lead to turnovers, but not for Williams. His touchdown-to-interception ratio is the best in the country. 

In the first matchup with the Utes, Williams threw for 381 yards and five touchdowns, while also scampering for 57 yards.

The Trojans surround him with a solid offensive line and several playmakers, including reigning Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison. It's not hard to figure out why USC has the highest-scoring offense in the Pac-12 (42.4 PPG) and third-best in the country.

Utah isn't far behind at 39.4 points per game, the 10th-best offense in the country.

Junior quarterback Cameron Rising has been outstanding again this season, completing nearly two-thirds of his passes while racking up 28 touchdowns, including six with his legs. He was on point in the first tilt with the Trojans, throwing for 415 yards, rushing for 60 and totaling five touchdowns plus the game-winning two-point conversion.

Like Williams, Rising is a dual-threat QB who seems destined to play on Sundays.

Which defense will step up? 

In general, stops were at a premium in the first matchup between these teams as both offenses eclipsed 500 yards and only punted twice apiece.

Utah typically has an extremely stingy defense, allowing the fewest yards per game (317.5) and second-fewest points (20.1) in the Pac-12, while posting the best third-down percentage (33.59%).

It was that unit that propelled the Utes past Oregon in the 2021 Pac-12 Football Championship Game, holding the Ducks to 10 points and just 221 yards while coming up with a pair of turnovers, including a pick six.

Star cornerback Clark Phillips III has been battling injuries lately, but is someone every offense needs to know the whereabouts of. His six interceptions are tied for the most in the nation and he's returned two for touchdowns.

USC's defense bends a bit more, ranking seventh in the conference in yards per game (405.0) and ranks fifth in points per game (26.3), but has overcome that by ranking No. 1 in turnovers (24) and sacks (33), thanks in big part to Tuli Tuipuloto, whose 12.5 sacks lead the nation.

The Trojans' +23 turnover margin is also the best in college football and more than double Utah's +9 margin, which is a respectable figure in its own right.

USC averages two takeaways per game, a trend that may need to continue to allow its offense to keep pace with Utah. The Trojans only had one takeaway in their loss in Salt Lake City.

Can USC contain Kincaid?

Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid made history against the Trojans in October, hauling in 16 passes in the 46-45 win.  It was the most receptions by a Ute since 2005, as well as the most catches a player has ever had against USC. They resulted in 234 yards and a game-tying touchdown early in the third quarter as Utah erased a 14-point deficit.

Needless to say USC will need a different gameplan to contain Kincaid this time around if he's able to play after suffering an injury in Saturday's win at Colorado. There's no stopping him when he's healthy, but keeping him closer to his season averages (6.0 catches, 77.3 yards) could go a long way toward the Trojans securing the Pac-12 title.

Can USC cement its spot in the College Football Playoff?

The Trojans check in at No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings, putting them on track to make their first-ever CFP appearance. Beating the Utes would surely secure their place and give the Pac-12 its first CFP team since Washington in 2016-17.

The nation will be watching closely, especially fans of teams that rank outside the top four. That puts extra pressure on the Trojans to perform, but so far they've shown that not much fazes them.

Another packed Allegiant Stadium

The 2021 Pac-12 Football Championship Game was the first at Allegiant Stadium, and it was a roaring success. 56,511 fans packed the venue, a 92-percent capacity rate, the highest in the event's neutral-site history.

The attendance will be even higher this season, with the conference announcing a sellout. 

We already know Utah fans will show up. We saw it last year when the Ute faithful formed a sea of red at Allegiant Stadium.

Expect USC fans to turn out in droves too. The Trojans have a fervent fanbase that led the Pac-12 in average attendance (63,133) this season.