USC Trojans vs UCLA Bruins Betting Odds, Props, Predictions, Lines & Picks
The lack of fans on the stands may take away some intensity from Saturday’s duel, but the rivalry matchup between the Trojans (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) and the Bruins (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS) still promises to be a good game. This will be the 90th meeting between the two and the USC won this matchup last year beating UCLA at home 52-35. The Trojans have also won the last seven games against PAC-12 opposition, covering the spread in five of them.
USC Trojans vs UCLA Bruins Betting Line Movement
After opening as -3.5 underdogs, UCLA received some early action from the bettors moving the line to +2.5 in the midweek before it settled back at +3.5. UCLA is 3-1 both straight up and against the spread in the last four home games against USC. The oddsmakers clearly expect an exciting game between two teams with dynamic offenses and the total increased slightly from the opening 62 to 63.5 or 64 depending on which one of NCAAF sportsbooks you use.
Notes On The USC Trojans
The motivation for USC in this game will be high as the victory will open the door to the Pac-12 Championship Game. If they lose, that ticket will likely belong to Colorado. The Trojans opened the season with a couple of shaky performances, but still coming out with wins. The last two games, however, showed the full strength and talent of Clay Helton’s team. Especially impressive was their road win against Utah, where they dominated the Utes 33-17 in a game they entered as a just 1-point favorite. Then good form continued last week against Washington State, particularly in the first half which went 28-0 the Trojans’ way.
The USC offense is one of the best in the country, especially their passing game. The sophomore QB Kedon Slovis has been in great form, throwing for 1257 yards and 10 TDs with only 2 interceptions so far this season. The defense is not too shabby either, allowing only 21.8 points per contest and ranking 36th in that department. The weakest link in this Trojans’ setup is their rushing attack, which ranks 112th in the nation.
Notes On The UCLA Bruins
UCLA is coming into this matchup after an excellent road win against Arizona State which was their third in four games, covering the spread every time. Chip Kelly is slowly turning things around and after going 7-17 in his first two years as a head coach, he could finally have himself a solid season. The recent success mainly came on the back of some excellent defense and the Bruins have allowed only 12.7 points per game in their three wins. As a comparison, they’ve let in 43.0 ppg in their two losses. We’ll see how the defense will hold up against the biggest challenge when they host Kedon Slovis and the Trojans.
The offense has struggled in earlier games and QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson missing two games due to the Covid tracing protocol certainly didn’t help. However, he did look good upon his return throwing for 192 yards and a TD with 49 yards on the ground against Arizona State last week.
College Footballl Betting Pick & Predictions: UCLA +3.5
USC may be undefeated by their schedule wasn’t that hard and UCLA is clearly on an upward trajectory. Both losses for the Bruins came in tight games and we can expect this game going to the wire, too.
