Adam Schefter: The Final Four…

Nope. While all that is true, USC was there and choked. You have to come to play. USC didn't change anything from the first game; Utah studied the tape and knew what to do.

SC didn't lose because it didn't change anything from the first game, at least on offense. SC lost because Williams got hurt and continued to play. Actually, SC changed a lot from the first game after the injury. Eliminated mesh plays and rollouts, anything that would create a threat of Williams running the ball.

For all the issues on defense, and there were plenty, do you think Utah would have won had Williams not been hurt? I don't. The hamstring injury wasn't apparent in the first half, so some of the play-calling appeared odd. I'm thinking particularly of a play in the first half when he dropped back and got sacked while making no effort to evade the rush. Now it all makes sense.

If I had known the severity of the hamstring injury in real time, I'd have put in Moss for at least a series or two. By the third quarter it was obvious that Williams' lack of mobility was a much bigger negative than his guttiness was a positive, and it hurt the team.

Since you’re making excuses here are two more. Utah was without starting RB Thomas all 6’2 238 lbs because of injury. Dalton Kincaid the go to guy was playing at 50% because of a back injury. Can you imagine what the final outcome would have been if they both played at 100% !