There is plenty for football fans at the LA Memorial Coliseum to be happy about these days. Maybe the most impressive, though, is USC’s winning streak in the hallowed grounds, as the Trojans have won their last 15 games (9-6 ATS) on their home field. The Trojans will look to extend that to 16 when they host their hated rivals UCLA on Saturday.
USC had little problems against UCLA last season, as the Trojans cruised to an easy 36-14 victory. The Trojans outgained the Bruins on offense 527-266 while dominating the time of possession with a ridiculous 43:47.
USC locked up a place in the Pac-12 championship game last week after traveling to Boulder and defeating Colorado. The program has been rolling offensively since being held to just 14 points against Notre Dame, with USC averaging 45 points and 590 yards of offense in its past three. A big reason for that is the emphasis on the running game. Underrated running back Ronald Jones has amassed 552 yards and six touchdowns on the ground in the past three games.
You can take UCLA’s loss to USC last season with a grain of salt, as the club was playing without starting quarterback Josh Rosen. Though Rosen is one of the best prospects in college football, he has been inconsistent on the road this season with eight touchdowns to seven interceptions in four tilts away from the Rose Bowl. After missing several games due to injury, receiver Jordan Lasley looks to be in place for a focal point in the offense with leading pass-catcher Darren Andrews out for the season.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Several shops tracked by OddsShark (including Sportsbook) set the point spread at -15 for the USC Trojans. NCAA football bettors had to wait for the Sportsbook OVER/UNDER value, which was not available at press time. Check the live lines pages here for the latest totals updates.
Earlier, OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game picked a 46-25 victory for the Trojans. That score may change during the week, if injury or weather factors alter the numbers, so check the college football picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The USC Trojans sport a record of 9-2 and 4-7 ATS heading into this betting matchup, while the UCLA Bruins sit at 5-5 and 3-7 ATS on the season. The OVER/UNDER totals records are 6-5 for the Trojans and 7-2-1 for the Bruins. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and USC vs UCLA injuries news.
The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Trojans at No. 22 and the Bruins at No. 71 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the USC Trojans' No. 26-ranked offense (35.45 PPG) against a UCLA Bruins defense that ranks No. 122 at 38.6 PPG. The Trojans passing attack has averaged 294.64 yards per game, more than the Bruins give up through the air (196.7 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Bruins own the league's No. 127-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 325.8 yards per game when on the road. USC, on the other hand, rates No. 34 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Josh Rosen led his team to victory last time out, throwing for 381 yards Saturday as the Bruins downed the Sun Devils 44-37 at Rose Bowl.
In their last game, USC's aerial attack generated 329 yards and the Trojans came away with a 38-24 victory over Colorado at Folsom Field.
Next Betting Matchups
UCLA home to California, Friday, November 24