USC Football: Trojans to Be Without Starting Safety in Crucial Matchup vs Utah

Williams wasn't dressed during warmups, but has since officially been ruled out. 

The loss of Williams is monumental for an already-questionable USC defense. The Trojans have been dealing with a slew of secondary injuries dating back to earlier in the season, and having a few players inactive or playing banged up in their loss to the Fighting Irish.

Williams is in his 4th year with the program and has been a starting safety for a couple of seasons now, playing in the back line behind a suspect group of linebackers. 

Max has already missed time this season, sitting out the 48-41 win against Colorado. 

Given USC's comparatively poor defensive performances while Williams has been out, ceding 41 and 48 points (versus Colorado and Notre Dame), it's clear that his influence on the defense is major, and playing without him against a physical offense that USC has historically struggled with (ceded 43 and 47 points in two losses last season), could spell disaster for the Trojans D. 

This is a must-win game if USC wants to keep their playoff hopes alive, putting them in a precarious position without a key starting defensive player. Let's see if a backup can step up.