The San Jose State Spartans and USC Trojans will meet in the season opener at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the San Jose State at USC odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
This Golden State battle features two top-notch quarterbacks. San Jose State’s Nick Starkel and USC’s Kedon Slovis could put up some big numbers in this one.
Starkel will get to play behind an offensive line returning all five starters, helping to keep him upright. And he’ll have a nice one-two punch in the backfield with RBs Tyler Nevens and Kairee Robinson, as well as two top-tier receiving talents in TE Derrick Deese Jr. and WR Isaiah Hamilton.
Slovis is a Heisman hopeful, and if he can stay healthy, he has the chance to not only be the best quarterback in the Pac-12, but perhaps the best in the nation. The key is the offensive line, a unit that really struggled in 2020 allowing 15 sacks in just six games. They need to be much, much better.
San Jose State at USC odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: San Jose State +470 (bet $100 to win $470) | USC -700 (bet $700 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): San Jose State +14.5 (-120) | USC -14.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 59.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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San Jose State at USC odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
USC 38, San Jose State 27
Money line
USC (-700) will cost you seven times your potential return, and that’s very steep. San Jose State (+470) has a real chance to win this game outright, that’s how talented they are on offense.
AVOID.
Against the spread
SAN JOSE STATE +14.5 (-120) is a tremendous play, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the margin of victory be in the single digits. Starkel and the Spartans offense should have plenty of answers, even if they fall behind early.
Keep in mind, the Spartans are also 7-1-1 ATS across the past nine road games, and they’re an impressive 9-1-1 ATS in the previous 11 as an underdog on the road. Playing on the road in hostile territory doesn’t bother them.
Over/Under
OVER 59.5 (-105) is the best play on the board, and with quarterbacks the caliber of Starkel and Slovis, this has the potential to be a real shootout. Remember, USC’s secondary ranked seventh in pass efficiency defense in 2020, and Starkel could pick them apart.
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