The USC Trojans (+7) are set to take on their in-conference nemesis Utah Utes (-7) at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Pac-12 Networks will televise the action and the game’s scheduled to get underway at 8:00 p.m. ET.
USC Trojans vs. Utah Utes Betting Preview
USC is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 7 points in this Pac-12 game. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline bettors would currently need to put down $300 to win $100 back on the Utes (-300). The Trojans are getting +220 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 49 points, and if one team can find paydirt early on, it’ll likely produce a worthy in-game betting scenario.
This game’s opening line was -7, while the total has not moved after it was initially posted at 49.
The Trojans have recorded 1.0 unit so far and are 2-4 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U mark of 3-3. The Utes are up 1.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-3 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-3.
The Trojans are 4-2 straight up (SU), including 3-1 SU against Pac-12 opponents. The Utes are 4-2 SU overall and are also 2-2 SU in conference play.
The Trojans are coming off a resounding 31-20 victory over Colorado last week. The Trojans allowed the Buffaloes to throw for 170 yards and rush for 95 yards. On the offense, JT Daniels completed only 17-of-34 passes for 272 yards, three scores and two interceptions. Stephen Carr (just 20 rushing yards on 12 attempts) led the ground attack while Tyler Vaughns (five receptions, 86 yards, one TD) and Michael Pittman Jr. (five catches, 144 yards, two TDs) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Utah just put together a 42-10 win over Arizona. Tyler Huntley completed 14-of-19 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Zack Moss (68 rushing yards on 15 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Huntley (64 yards on 11 carries, one TD) handled the running attack as Britain Covey (six receptions, 51 yards) and Demari Simpkins (three catches, 78 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
USC has run the ball on 49.1 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 54.2 percent across possessions in conference play. Utah has an overall rush percentage of 57.9 percent, and has kept it on the ground 62.0 percent of the time when facing Pac-12 opponents. The Trojans have produced 126 rush yards/game (including 136 per game against Pac-12 opponents) and have 10 scores on the ground this year. The Utes are averaging 186 rushing yards per game (195 in conference) and have 11 total rush TDs.
It appears that the Utes ought to have the advantage in all aspects of the ground game. Their backfield has generated 4.6 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 2.4 YPC to opponents. The Trojans have registered 3.9 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 4.2 to opponents.
The Trojans offensive scheme has averaged 255 yards through the air overall (232 per game against conference opposition) and has seven passing scores so far. The Utes have produced 221 pass yards per outing (180.0 against Pac-12 foes) and have eight total pass TDs.
USC has let opponents run for an average of 152 yards and pass for 210 yards per game. The Utah defense has allowed 225.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 74.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Utes are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.63 to opponents, while the Trojans have given up a 5.52 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Daniels has amassed 1,332 yards on the year, and has completed 57 percent of his 177 attempts with seven scores through the air and five interceptions. Daniels has a 6.10 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.90 over the last two outings.
In the other locker room, Tyler Huntley has managed to complete 91-of-148 passes for 1,022 yards, six TDs and three INTs. Huntley’s ANY/A stands at 5.75 for the year and 9.67 across his past two games.
These two squads met last year with the final outcome being a 28-27 win for USC.
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The O/U for USC’s previous game was 57.5. The under cashed in the team’s 31-20 victory over Colorado.
USC has produced 4.1 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.3 over its last two.
Utah has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.1 over its past two.
Utah has lost seven fumbles this season while USC has lost five.
Over its last three matchups, USC is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Utah’s previous match was set at 54. The under cashed in that 42-10 triumph over Arizona.
In its last three contests, Utah is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Trojans offense has produced nine pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Utes have accounted for six such plays.
The USC defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Utah has given up four such plays.
The USC offense has created six rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Utah has created 13 such runs.
The Trojans defense has allowed 12 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Utes have given up two such runs.
The Utah defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 18 times this year. USC has registered 13 sacks.
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