The USC Trojans, off to a good start in their quest for a BCS title game berth, travel cross-country this week to play the Syracuse Orangemen Saturday at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey.
Southern Cal, fresh off a 49-10 drubbing of Hawaii, is favored by 26 points over the 'Cuse, which just lost a gut-wrencher to Northwestern 42-41.
But the Trojans have not been great as double-digit road favorites, failing to cover in four of six games since 2009 in that situation. And the spread of 26 points at Sportsbook is bigger than any road number in recent seasons.
View Southern Cal vs Syracuse Odds and Stats.
Betting Line: Syracuse opened as 25.5-point underdogs at Sportsbook. The total was set at 64.5 early Saturday, so bettors anticipate loads of scoring.
Southern Cal was a 49-10 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Hawaii. They failed to cover the 43.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (59) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors. Matt Barkley throttled the Warriors defense in his team's most recent action, throwing for 372 yards as Southern Cal handed Hawaii a 49-10 defeat.
Last time out for Syracuse, they were a 42-41 loser as they battled Northwestern at home. Syracuse failed to cover in the match as a 1.5-point favorite, while 83 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. In Syracuse's last outing, Ryan Nassib threw for 470 yards in a losing cause against the Wildcats, 42-41 at Carrier Dome.
Southern Cal Trojans Trends:
When playing in September are 9-1
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When an underdog on the road are 5-5
Syracuse Orange Trends:
When playing in September are 7-3
When playing on turf are 5-5
After outgaining opponent are 2-8
When favored at home are 4-6
A few Trojans at Orange trends to consider:
Southern Cal is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Syracuse's last 5 games
Syracuse is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Syracuse is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Southern Cal at Stanford, Saturday, September 15
Syracuse home to Stony Brook, Saturday, September 15
