The No. 11 Utah Utes (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12) meet the No. 4 USC Trojans (11-1, 8-1) Friday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Utah vs. USC odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
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After the Utes lost 20-17 at Oregon on Nov. 19, it appeared Utah’s hopes of a Pac-12 Championship Game appearance were dashed. But Oregon State rallied to beat Oregon last weekend, helping Utah back into the title game.
Utah has won 5 of the last 6 games overall, while going 3-1 ATS in the last 4 games. The Under has cashed in 4 of the last 5 games for the Utes.
USC is on fire, winning 5 straight games and moving into the 4th spot of the College Football Playoff rankings. The Trojans win and they’re in.
USC’s only loss of the season came Oct. 15 in Salt Lake City 43-42 against Utah, as the Utes covered a 3.5-point number and the Over easily connected.
The Over has hit in 6 in a row for USC, and QB Caleb Williams and the offense has been humming. The Trojans have posted 41 or more points in 6 straight games, and in 10 of 12 games this season.
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Utah vs. USC odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Utah +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | USC -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Utah +2.5 (-104) | Utah -2.5 (-116)
- Over/Under (O/U): 67 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Utah vs. USC picks and predictions
Prediction
USC 38, Utah 35
Moneyline
USC (-140) is worth playing if you don’t want to mess around with laying the points. This will be a close, high-scoring game similar to the 1st meeting in the regular-season.
The Trojans have it all on the line here, as the Heisman is at stake for Williams, a spot in the CFP is up for grabs, and all USC needs to do is win. It just so happens it comes against the only team it lost against, so this game will have plenty of drama.
Against the spread
USC -2.5 (-116) is the lean here, ever so slightly.
The Utes are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 games against teams with a winning overall record, and their last win against a winning team was against USC.
The Trojans are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 games overall, and 4-0 ATS in the last 4 against teams with a winning overall record. That’s all well and good, but USC is 1-10 ATS in the last 11 neutral-site games, so take it slow.
Over/Under
OVER 67 (-110) is the play here.
The Over easily cashed in the 1st meeting. And while the Under is 4-1 in the last 5 games overall for the Utes and 4-1 in the last 5 Pac-12 conference tilts, the Over is where it’s at here.
The USC offense has been rolling along, and the Over has hit in 6 in a row, while going 4-1 in the last 5 neutral-site battles.
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