Forget Cam Rising and Dalton Kincaid and the Utah Utes, there were plenty of winners on Friday night in Utah’s 47-24 Pac-12 title game win over USC. Likewise, the Trojans aren’t the only losers to emerge from Friday’s match up.

Here are some benefactors — and those who join USC in its disappointment — from Friday night.

Winner: Utah HC Kyle Whittingham

Given his resources — improved but still not among the best in the country — is there a better coach in the country than Whittingham? He has turned Utah from a Mountain West flag-bearer into simply the most consistent, well-managed, well-organized team in the Pac-12.

With a 2nd straight Pac-12 title, Whittingham is not going to suddenly convince a bunch of 5 stars to head to Salt Lake City, but the Utes do have plenty to sell transfers and high school recruits alike. Even if they only gain marginally in recruiting, Utah will most certainly increase its investment in football. Then who knows? We might see Utah back in the title game next year.

And then it starts to get really interesting. When UCLA and USC abscond to the Big Ten a power vacuum will be left in the Pac-12. Oregon, Washington and Utah will all be attractive in terms of expansion and have a chance to truly seize control of the Pac-12, however it’s comprised.

Loser: Washington Huskies

Imagine you’re Kalen DeBoer, and you kick your feet up, you sit back, maybe crack open a nice cold root beer, and you buckle down for three hours of what you expect will be a dual victory for both USC and your Washington Huskies.

Had the Trojans won on Friday night, the Huskies would likely have been in the Rose Bowl their first since 2019. Instead Washington and star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. are likely headed to the Alamo Bowl with the Utes getting a repeat shot at the Rose Bowl and USC ending up in the Cotton Bowl.

The rest of the Pac-12 would not have been all too affected by the bowl round robin but Washington sure was.

Winner: USC OL coach John Henson

This one might seem a bit strange but it’s better for a team to be exposed in the worst way then to have its weaknesses covered up against subpar competition. And not that USC‘s offensive line has been a weakness — it’s been anything but — but a lack of depth up front ultimately doomed the Trojans at the worst of times.

The loss of Andrew Voorhees late in Week 13 against Notre Dame was a terrible omen for the Trojans. Vorhees is among the best offensive linemen in the country and his absence caused Jonah Monheim to move inside, which is not his natural position. Then USC suffered yet another horrific blow when long-time starting center Brett Neilon was injured and needed to be carted off the field, potentially ending his Trojans tenure.

On the day, the Trojans allowed 7 sacks, though Williams was hobbled throughout and his injury should take credit for at least a few.

Ultimately if I’m the USC coaches, I spend a greater share of the recruiting cycle trying to shore up the offensive line with ready-to-play talent and I have to make sure that talent goes 10 deep.

Loser: USC DC Alex Grinch

What is there to say? USC‘s defense has been an abomination this season even if it has been incredibly timely.

Fundamentally, USC has simply had the kind of breakdowns that you don’t see a college football playoff team have. I’m not one of those calling for Grinch’s head on a stick, but it’s obvious things have to change in a major way. USC returns some good defensive talent once again but needs to go shopping for depth in the transfer portal and via high school recruiting.

One thing I certainly would be preaching if I were Riley and Grinch is making sure players are not trying to do too much. At times, it paid off this year. Many times. USC had plenty of hustle sacks and true caused turnovers — turnovers that a player forced, rather than benefited from being in the right place at the right time. But against Utah, the Trojans were going for the big play or even a highlight moment far too many times. USC players gambled when they should’ve just called.

Winner: Tulane Green Wave

It’s not that Penn State doesn’t make for a terrific opponent, but getting the Heisman favorite and a would-be playoff contender in the Cotton Bowl is an upgrade over than Nittany Lions and certainly over North Carolina.

The Green Wave earned the Group of 5’s NY6 Bowl berth, which just so happens to be in Dallas this year, with a win over UCF in the AAC championship game on Saturday. Not only is USC a more recognizable name than Penn State, they provide a better matchup for Tulane. Especially if the Green Wave follows Utah’s offensive gameplan, and certainly if Williams is hobbled.

Loser: USC’s tackling dummies

USC put on such a dreadful performance tackling Utah ball-carriers on Friday night, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that became just about the sole focus of the defense during offseason workouts. The Trojans famously avoid live tackling during in-season practices, and that showed against the Utes. It would’ve been one thing if USC wasn’t in position most of the night, but the Trojans scheme wasn’t the issue. USC got a little cute with it, trying to force far too many turnovers rather than simply taking Utah players down.

Winner: Utah TE Thomas Yassmin

The big Aussie tight end had a huge 60-yard touchdown reception from Rising in the 4th quarter that marked the high point in his career. Now with Brant Kuithe and Dalton Kincaid likely headed to the NFL, Yassmin has a chance to slide into one of the most coveted positions in the Pac-12 — Utah’s starting tight end.

While the Utes are an attractive transfer destination for any top tight end in the country, Yassmin likely carved out a larger role next year with his clutch performance on Friday.

Loser: Pac-12 coffers

TCU’s loss in the Big-12 championship game on Saturday only added salt to USC is wound. Had the Trojans emerge victorious, they likely would’ve slid into the No. 3 spot and given a much more favorable match up with Michigan in the CFP semifinals.

And a birth in the championship game would not just have benefited USC, of course, but the Pac-12 as a whole.