Marqise Lee has caused opposing defenses problems all year. How will Utah counteract his presence? (Neon Tommy)

Aaron Fischman: Through Utah’s first three games, its defense was ranked 15th nationally before allowing Arizona State to score 37 points and gain 512 total yards. Specifically, what went wrong defensively in the loss to the Sun Devils and how, if at all, can the problems be mitigated or solved?

Dirk Facer: According to head coach Kyle Whittingham, the defensive breakdown was a combination of blown assignments and players not doing what they’re supposed to do. The disappointing effort in Tempe resulted in the most yards (512) and points (37) the Utes have allowed since joining the Pac-12. Two starters — defensive end Joe Kruger and free safety Eric Rowe — didn’t play against ASU and were sorely missed. Their return and a few tweaks on the depth chart should improve things dramatically.

Robert Jackson: It was surprising how quickly fan expectations went from contending for the Pac-12 South to wondering whether this team will be able to win another game after the “disaster in the desert.” Utah was out-coached and outplayed, and ASU simply used team speed to wear down the Utes. Utah has since adjusted, moving up linebackers Jacoby Hale and Victor Spikes in the depth chart, and has also promoted Reggie Topps to a starting corner position. In addition, with freshman All-American Eric Rowe getting back from an injury and the return of safety Brian Blechen from suspension, the Utes will hopefully be more prepared to face an extremely talented USC offense.

AF: In the Trojans’ only loss, they struggled mightily against the Stanford Cardinal’s defensive pressure. In the following week’s game, USC offensive line play improved, but California surprisingly didn’t blitz very often. Describe the state of the Utah pass rush and the style you expect it to play against the Trojans Thursday.

Facer: The defensive line has been a strength of Utah’s for a long time and this year’s group may be the best of the bunch. Senior tackle Star Lotulelei is one the nation’s elite players and headlines a talented cast that includes tackle Dave Kruger and defensive ends Nate Fakahafua, Joe Kruger and Trevor Reilly. Expect them to be extremely aggressive on Thursday. Lotulelei said they must get to Matt Barkley and disrupt him in order for the Utes to win.

AF: After losing two all-conference linemen to graduation last year, the Ute offensive line is struggling mightily. How can Utah provide better protection, especially against a guy like defensive end Morgan Breslin who sacked Cal’s Zach Maynard three times in SC’s most recent game?

Jackson: You mean the Utes actually have an offensive line? It seems like opposing defenses are in the backfield as soon as the ball is snapped. In all seriousness, the Utes have struggled mightily on the O-line. With yet another injury, freshmen Siaosi Aiono and Jeremiah Poutasi have been asked to anchor the right side of the line, and if I am a defensive coordinator, I bring the heat right at those two, just like we’ve seen the majority of teams do against the Utes. Hays is actually a decent QB, but if he has a guy in his face within a second of the snap, no quarterback will be able to succeed. Expect the Utes to use screens, draws and direct snaps to try and counter the pressure. 

AF: Starting quarterback Jordan Wynn retired from football after his left shoulder was dislocated, an all-too-common occurrence during his collegiate career. For the second straight year, Jon Hays has been counted on to step in as starter. How far has Hays come since a season ago, and how far does he still need to go?

Facer: Things are much better the second time around. Hays is better equipped for the job after making nine starts in 2011 and participating in spring ball. His growth and mastery of the offense has allowed the Utes to open their offense up and not be so reliant on the ground game and running back John White, who carried the ball 316 times last season. Even so, Hays is still a work in progress. The senior, however, is making progress. True freshman Travis Wilson is his backup.

Talented DT Star Lotulelei is the focal point of the Utah defense. (Daaka2/Creative Commons)

Jackson: Perhaps the biggest contribution Lotulelei makes to a game plan is taking away the middle run game for opposing offenses. With that said, if teams run sideline to sideline, as was the case with Arizona State, other playmakers have to step up. I wouldn’t expect to see USC try a lot of halfback dives up the middle, rather running sweeps and off-tackle runs to counter Lotulelei. Regardless, if Trojan QB Matt Barkley is on, there is not much you can do to slow down his quick release, even if the Utes’ defensive line is able to dominate.

AF: What are Lotulelei’s strengths? In which areas can he improve?

Facer: Lotulelei is a blend of size, strength and smarts. His ability to disrupt offenses often leads to double and triple coverage. Last season, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound senior won the Morris Trophy as the Pac-12’s top defensive lineman. Despite the accolades, Lotulelei said there were some technique things he wanted to improve upon before pursuing an NFL career. The two-time team captain also returned to school to complete course work on a sociology degree.

AF: Although Utah hasn’t seen the red zone too often, the offense has not been effective while there. How important will it be to take advantage of every scoring opportunity against the Trojans?

Jackson: First-year offensive coordinator Brian Johnson has his hands full, trying to find any sort of rhythm for an offense that, to put it lightly, is not very good. Jon Hays was a Division II quarterback until last season when Norm Chow brought him in to back up Jordan Wynn. Thrust into the starting role due to Wynn’s injuries, Hays is 7-4 as a starter, but has yet to throw a 300-yard game, let alone a 200-yard game. As was the case last year, I think Utah’s defense is good enough to keep the team in every game, but unless the offense finds an identity, especially in the red zone, it could be a long year. In order for the Utes to have a shot Thursday night, they will have to capitalize on every opportunity that they get.

AF: Each team comes into the game with 11 days of rest as opposed to the normal six. To what extent does the extra rest help running back John White IV and other key guys who are recovering from injury?

Jackson: Injuries happen. That is why recruiting and filling your depth chart is so important. The difference that Utah is seeing in year two of the Pac-12 is that it is able to be solidly two-deep at most positions, something that even just a few years ago seemed unrealistic. While the extra days should give White IV plenty of time to fully recover, I think his issue is more mental than any physical hindrance. He hasn’t been the same so far this season, being weighed down by self-imposed expectations that are sky high. Whether or not he is able to combat that remains to be seen, but the emergence of Kelvin York as a suitable back-up may be enough to muster at least a resemblance of an offense.

The Utes' run D will hope to shut down Curtis McNeal, who rushed for 115 yards against Cal. (Shoutgun Spratlin/Neon Tommy)

AF: How important will it be for Utah to contain Trojan running backs Silas Redd and Curtis McNeal, forcing its opponents to become one-dimensional?

Facer: Stopping the run is always the top priority for Utah’s defense. The Utes are currently ranked fourth in the Pac-12, allowing 111.25 yards per game on the ground. Should USC be forced to become one-dimensional and throw the ball more often than planned, the Trojans will do so against a secondary featuring two former Freshman All-America safeties in Brian Blechen and Eric Rowe. It remains to be seen, however, how they would fare against Matt Barkley and USC’s talented receivers.

AF: Considering it’s a primetime Thursday night game, all eyes will be on Utah and USC. Describe the buzz around the campus and in Utah media. How important is this game for the Utes? 

Facer: Although losses by both teams have taken a lot of luster off the contest, USC’s first game in Salt Lake City since 1917 is still a big deal. It’s kind of like having the New York Yankees come to town. The Trojans are an iconic program and having them play at Rice-Eccles Stadium symbolizes Utah’s arrival in the Pac-12. A win by the Utes would put a stamp on it. At 2-2 overall, a victory would be especially welcome before the Utes embark on back-to-back road games at UCLA and Oregon State.

Jackson: Signs line the Salt Lake Valley stating, “This is Pac-12 Country.” Sure, two early season losses have taken some of the air out of the balloon, but expect Rice-Eccles to be rocking come kickoff. This is a season-defining game for the Utes, especially when you look at the two games following this, at UCLA and at Oregon State. Utah’s next three opponents are all in the Top-25. This ain’t the MWC anymore Dorothy. Of all the teams on Utah’s schedule this season, this upcoming game with USC is the one that fans have been looking forward to for months.

AF: From Utah’s perspective, what are the primary keys to beating the Trojans on Thursday night?

Facer: After getting embarrassed at Arizona State (37-7) on Sept. 22, the Utes are determined to get on track both offensively and defensively. Running back John White, who has been slowed by a ankle injury, rushed for just 18 yards on 14 carries against the Sun Devils. Over the past two seasons, Utah is 9-0 when the senior tops 100 yards. Defensively, Utah’s primary focus is getting to Matt Barkley and disrupting USC’s explosive offense.

Jackson: For the Utes to win, they will have to play turnover-free football and have an offensive surprise that catches the Trojans off guard. Not sure what it could be…maybe a no-huddle look with freshman QB Travis Wilson, or possibly running the hook and ladder. Whatever it is, Utah desperately needs to find an offense. You know what you will be getting from Utah’s defense, and I would say last game’s debacle against the Sun Devils is the exception and not the rule.

AF: Please predict Thursday’s result along with your expected final score.

Facer: Don’t take this to Vegas. It’s just a guess-timate. Given USC’s talent at the skill positions and the Trojans’ hopes of getting back into the national championship title chase, the Utes face a tall task. Playing at home will help, but will it be enough? So, in the good name of fence-sitters everywhere, I like USC if the score gets higher than 17-14 or so. Utah doesn’t appear to have the firepower to get in a shootout. Things could get ugly if that happens.

Jackson: Last season, I predicted a Utah win vs. USC and really thought it might be possible as they lined up for a potential game-tying field goal attempt with just a few seconds left on the clock. This year, I’m going to pick the Utes (how can I not? I mean come on.), although it will require some sort of miracle. Maybe Matt Barkley eats a bad burrito from Taco Bell at LAX on the way to SLC. Maybe Jon Hays gets bitten by a spider and suddenly becomes the next Robert Griffin III or Geno Smith. One can dream, right? Utes by 3 as Utah blocks USC’s game-tying field goal attempt as time expires. 23-20. Oh and this time, unlike against BYU, the fans wait to storm the field until AFTER the play.

*For more on the game, I returned the favor and appeared on Jackson's podcast at the Crimson Corner on KSL.com.

Reach Senior Sports Editor Aaron Fischman here or follow him on Twitter.