USC can secure its spot in the College Football Playoff tonight when the Trojans play the Utah Utes in the Pac-12 Championship Game in Las Vegas.

But ESPN’s college football analyst Desmond Howard believes the Trojans could be trouble.

“You’re looking at a Utah team that knows, not thinks…they don’t believe, but they know they can play with USC,” Howard said. “They would love to not only upset USC’s college football playoff hopes, but at the same time they would derail their quarterback, Caleb Williams, Heisman campaign.”

For what it’s worth, it’s hard to see anything outside a total dud that would keep Williams away from the Heisman. Earlier this season Utah beat USC, 43-42, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. In that game Williams threw for 381 yards and five touchdowns, so it’s hard to suggest he won’t put up big numbers even in a loss.

But if Utah wins again, who replaces them? Howard has the answer.

“At that point you’re looking at a USC team that has losses, especially two losses to the same team,” Howard said. “For USC to lose twice to Utah, I think that Ohio State would slip in the back door and get into the College Football Playoff.”

The full segment is below.