Tulane Green Wave vs USC Trojans

The No. 8 USC Trojans (11-2 SU,  8-5 ATS) were demoted to the Cotton Bowl after being upset by the Utah Utes in the Pac-12 championship game, knocking them out of CFP contention. Now, they’ll face the No. 14 Tulane Green Wave (11-2, 11-2), who are prepping for their first major bowl game since 1940 in Arlington, Texas. 

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Cotton Bowl Sportsbook Odds

The Trojans opened as 4-point favorites but the line has since dropped to USC -2.5. Tulane was an underdog twice this season, during Week 7 and Week 10, and covered in each by winning outright. The total was set at a generous 63 points and hasn’t budged since. The total has gone OVER in six of Tulane’s last seven matchups, while USC has hit the OVER in its last seven contests. 

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Latest Betting Notes: Tulane

Tulane is looking to keep riding the wave, carrying its best record since 1998 and building off its 45-28 win over the UCF Knights in the AAC championship game. The Green Wave have averaged 43.7 points per game over their three most recent performances, a considerable jump from their season average of 33.8 PPG.

RB Tyjae Spears is the talk of Tulane. The junior has scored 15 touchdowns this season and has rushed for 100 or more yards in seven consecutive games. His 1,376 rushing yards rank within the nation’s top 15. In his most recent appearance, Spears recorded a season-high 199 rushing yards and one touchdown in the conference championship. Keep an eye on him to continue his streak and do some damage on the field. 

Latest Betting Notes: USC

Heading into a game with the Heisman Trophy Sportsbook tossing for your team will provide a confidence boost. QB Caleb Williams, despite a hamstring injury, has said he is confident he will be dressed and ready to play on January 2. The sophomore has passed for over 4,000 yards this season and is tied for first in the country with a whopping 37 touchdown passes. He guides an offense that ranks third in Division 1 by averaging 41.4 PPG. 

Sportsbook

USC has three rushers with over five touchdowns, including Williams, who leads the team with 10. Averaging 325.7 passing yards per game, Williams has plenty of options. WRs Jordan Addison and Tahj Washington combined for 14 touchdowns and over 1,500 receiving yards, headlining some of the weapons USC has to get on the scoreboard.

Keys To Victory: Tulane

Use your assets and spread the ball around. Obviously, Spears is piping hot, scoring at least one touchdown in each of his last three appearances. So it’ll be easy to put the ball in his hands and expect good things to happen. But if USC is covering Spears well, QB Michael Pratt has five receivers with 25 or more receptions. It’ll take a group effort to claim the victory here. 

Keys To Victory: USC

Showcase Williams’ versatility. The signal-caller has recorded over 300 passing yards seven times this season and also has the ability to make plays with his legs, though that could be hindered now with his lingering hamstring injury. USC as a team averages 5.2 yards per rush and can utilize that ground game to help get them down the field. 

Cotton Bowl Computer Pick: Tulane +2.5

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