The No. 15 BYU Cougars (9-2) will head to L. A. Memorial Coliseum Saturday to take on the USC Trojans (4-6). Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the BYU at USC odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Coming into the game, the Cougars haven’t been great against the spread, sitting at just 5-6. However, it’s not because of lack of offense.
BYU’s offense averages the 19th-most yards per game, topping 450. The defense doesn’t help much though as they rank 74th, almost giving up 380 per game.
This will be a good game for the Cougars to flex their dominance as an independent team. They’ll be faced with the Trojans who have struggled heavily. They’ve been awful ATS with a 3-7 record.
They’re 6-4 on the over/under though, averaging over 306.7 yards through the air per game. This should be a high-paced, pass-heavy battle between a few top West Coast programs.
See also: AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
BYU at USC odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:01 p.m. ET.
- Money line: BYU -260 (bet $260 to win $100) | USC +205 (bet $100 to win $205)
- Against the spread (ATS): BYU -7.5 (+100) | USC +7.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 64.5 (O: -117 | U: -103)
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BYU at USC odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
BYU 38, USC 27
Money line
PASS on the money line here. While I like BYU to win, I would avoid -260, especially in the college road setting. Look to the points for value.
Against the spread
BET on BYU -7.5 (+100) as the far better bet.
USC has lost several big-time games that would’ve shown at least some competence in their program. The Trojans’ defense has been awful, giving up almost 420 yards per game.
BYU is going to abuse USC through the air.
Having scored 34 or more points in four of its last five games, BYU has taken its game to the next level. On top of that, USC is just 2-4 at home, so it hasn’t used that home-field advantage like most.
With that in mind, I’m backing the more talented side here.
Over/Under
“LEAN” on the OVER 64.5 (-117) as neither team has shown they can defend at any level. USC is giving up over 400 yards to their opponents.
It’s hard to even comprehend that USC can consistently give up that type of yardage. BYU should be able to murder them through the air, but it, to an extent, goes both ways.
USC has cashed more Overs as well. The Trojans also put up over 445 yards of total offense per game themselves. With the fact that passing can stop the clock as well, I like many points to be scored in this one.
Given the ways of college football and the sporadic nature, I’d still only lean on a total this high.
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