October 14, 2017, 8:00 PM EDT | United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Game Preview
Utah
Utes
4 - 1
USC
Trojans
5 - 1
October 14, 2017, 8:00 PM EDT | United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Although the Trojans have a 5-1 record and a legitimate shot at winning the Pac-12 South, bettors have been wise to fade USC. The Trojans are 1-5 ATS this season, all of the losses coming with them as the favorite. USC will once again be double-digit favorites when they host the Utah Utes on Saturday.
Shark Bites
Utah is 0-3 SU and ATS in its last 3 games on the road against USC.
USC is 10-0 SU in its last 10 games at home against teams with winning records.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Utah’s last 8 games.
Utah picked up a 31-27 victory over USC last season thanks to an explosion of offense in the fourth quarter. The Utes were down 27-17 with 10 minutes left in the game only to score 14 unanswered points – including scoring the winning touchdown with just 0:16 left.
USC quarterback Sam Darnold’s first collegiate start came in that game against Utah last season when he went for 18-for-26 with 253 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. Darnold has grown by leaps and bounds since that game but has found himself getting into serious turnover problems with nine interceptions so far this year.
We still don’t know who is going to be under center for Utah this weekend. Tyler Huntley was the guy but was sidelined two games ago against Arizona and did not play last week. Senior Troy Williams stepped in but has been far from a model of consistency. Whoever is at QB should be targeting receiver Darren Carrington II, who is easily the best offensive player for the team.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The USC Trojans were sitting as 11-point favorites earlier in the week at Sportsbook. The total was to be set a bit later in the week for OVER/UNDER betting purposes.
Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game pointed to a potential 38-31 result in favor of the Trojans early in the week. That outcome may change during the week, if injuries alter the models, 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.
USC battles the Utah Utes, currently with a 4-1 mark (4-0-1 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals betting, are 2-4 for the Trojans and 1-4 for the Utah Utes. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and USC vs Utah injuries news.
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the USC Trojans rated this week at No. 11 and the Utah Utes sitting at No. 31.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits USC's No. 37-ranked offense, averaging 35.5 PPG, against a Utah defense that ranks No. 22 this week at 18.4 PPG. The USC aerial game is averaging 286.17 yards per game, more than the Utah Utes secondary allows through the air, 205.2 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the Utah Utes own the league's No. 46-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 131.5 yards per game when on the road. USC, on the other hand, rates No. 47 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Utes suffered a Week 6 loss against Stanford in their last game, falling 23-20 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Sam Darnold's 316-yard performance through the air was enough last time out, as USC earned a 38-10 win over Oregon State on Saturday at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Betting Trends
Utah is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Utah's last 8 games
Utah is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Southern California is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
Southern California is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Southern California's last 5 games
Southern California is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Utah home to Arizona State, Saturday, October 21
USC at Notre Dame, Saturday, October 21
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